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Pip Hancox (born 1965) is an English singer and founding frontman of the psychobilly band Guana Batz, noted for his distinctive vocals, energetic performances, and long-standing presence in the psychobilly scene.
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Pip Hancox (born 1965) is an English singer and founding frontman of the psychobilly band Guana Batz, noted for his distinctive vocals, energetic performances, and long-standing presence in the psychobilly scene.
Pip Hancox was born in 1965 and raised in the West London area near Feltham. Growing up with his mother's rock and roll record collection, Hancox developed a passion for mainstream and underground rockabilly from a young age. Early favourites included Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Eddie Cochran. [1] By his early teens, he regularly attended rockabilly clubs such as the St Hellier Arms in Carshalton, where he was exposed to live DJs, dancing, and bands like Crazy Cavan, the Imperial Rock & Roll Collection, and others that helped shape his musical identity.
In 1982, Hancox and childhood friend Dave “Diddle” Turner decided to start a psychobilly band. [2] They recruited guitarist Stuart Osborne and others to form the original line-up. Although neither Hancox nor Turner were trained musicians. Hancox handling vocals and simple guitar chords, while Turner improvising on drums, the band proceeded with their vision, initially rehearsing in informal settings before stabilising the group. [3] Their first gig was in 1982 as a support act to King Kurt. [4]
Guana Batz quickly became one of the pioneering psychobilly bands in the UK, renowned for their appearances at the Klub Foot in London during the psychobilly heyday of the 1980s. [5] The original 1983 lineup included Hancox (vocals), Osborne (guitar), Turner (drums), and bassist Mick Wigfall, who was later replaced by Mick White, then Sam Sardi on upright bass.
The band's debut EP, released in 1983, included tracks such as "You're So Fine" and "Rockin' in My Coffin." Their debut full-length album, Held Down to Vinyl… At Last, reached No. 1 on the UK independent charts in 1985. They followed up with Loan Sharks (1986), Live Over London (1987), and Rough Edges (1988), all of which charted in the UK indie scene.
After Turner left in 1987 and passed away in 2001, Jonny Bowler joined as drummer before switching to upright bass, with John Buck later joining on drums. The band disbanded in 1990 but reunited in 1996 and continues to tour internationally, often splitting into UK/European and U.S. line-ups based on Hancox’s relocation to San Diego.
During the 2010s, Hancox formed a spin-off band under his own surname, alongside former Guana Batz bassist Jonny Bowler and other U.S.-based musicians: Gino Meregillano (guitar) and Alex Pappas, later known as Jared Hren, on drums. They released one album, Vegas Lights, in December 2012, which featured a rawer, harder-edged sound tailored to U.S. audiences.
In 2017–2018, Guana Batz returned with the Burning Up EP and the full-length album Back to the Jungle, their first major album in two decades. The release featured new material alongside re-imagined classics and yielded a European tour commemorating the band’s 35th anniversary. As of 2024, Hancox is also the singer for the band The Delta Bombers.
Hancox is widely regarded in psychobilly circles as a charismatic and guiding force behind Guana Batz, helping to define the genre from its earliest years. His songwriting, stage presence, and unique vocal style contributed significantly to the band’s reputation as psychobilly icons. His heavily-tattooed persona and the inclusion of his Staffordshire Bull Terrier—first Pig Dog, then Muttley—became part of the band’s lore; Muttley even appeared on four Guana Batz album covers.
Pip Hancox relocated to San Diego, California, in the early 1990s, where he has resided since alongside bandmate Jonny Bowler. They have occasionally performed under the name Guana Cats with ex-Stray Cats members in Southern California. He remains active in psychobilly roots tours and European festival circuits, while continuing to influence newer generations of rockabilly and alternative music fans. He is also an avid BMX rider involved in the local scene. [6]
| Year | Release | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Held Down to Vinyl… At Last | Guana Batz |
| 1986 | Loan Sharks | Guana Batz |
| 1987 | Live Over London | Guana Batz |
| 1988 | Rough Edges | Guana Batz |
| 2012 | Vegas Lights | Hancox |
| 2018 | Back to the Jungle | Guana Batz |