The Drill (British band)

Last updated
The Drill
Genres punk rock
Years active1978–1980
LabelsEbony Records
RCA Records
Members Chris Constantinou (bass guitar)
Dave Wilson (lead vocals)
Mick Bienvenu (keyboards)
Tom Toomey (lead guitar)
(replaced by)
Hal Lindes (lead guitar)
Keith Atkinson (drums)
(replaced by)
Ray Weston (drums)

The Drill was a British punk rock band formed in 1978 and dissolved in 1980, with some of its former members then regrouping in 1981 in a new short-lived band named Hollywood Exiles. The Drill was the first significant career breakthrough and success for several musicians, like Chris Constantinou (The Wolfmen, Sinéad O'Connor, Adam Ant, The Mutants, One Thousand Motels), Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) and Tom Toomey (The Zombies).

Contents

History

The initial nucleus of this band grew around the founding members Chris Constantinou (bass guitar) and Dave Wilson (lead vocals), then adding Mick Bienvenu (keyboards), Tom Toomey (lead guitar) and Keith Atkinson (drums). In 1978, they signed their first recording deal with Ebony Records and in the next year they moved to RCA Records. They performed live in a string of tours (in some of them supporting Slade) and recorded a number of singles, several of which were produced by Chas Chandler (from the band The Animals, who also found and produced Jimi Hendrix and Slade). During this time, the band team underwent some changes, with the drummer Ray Weston replacing Keith Atkinson, while Hal Lindes took over the guitar part from Tom Toomey. [1] [2] [3]

By the end of 1980, Hal Lindes left the band after becoming full-member of Dire Straits. Many of the remaining members regrouped next year under a new short-lived band name, called Hollywood Exiles (also produced by RCA Records) and released a single, with a musical style described as UK new wave. Its members were: Chris Constantinou (bass guitar), Ray Weston (drums), Mick Bienvenu (keyboards), Mitchell Leslie (guitar), and Loui Beau (lead vocals). [4]

Then, in 1982, Chris Constantinou joined Adam Ant's live band as bass guitarist and any prospects of re-morphing the team initially developed as The Drill then clearly disappeared. In its relatively short time span, The Drill turned into the first significant breakthrough for several aspiring musicians (at that time), like Chris Constantinou, Hal Lindes or Tom Toomey. Later, Chris Constantinou and Hal Lindes resumed their collaboration in creating a new series of music albums. [5] [6]

Discography

The Drill

Hollywood Exiles

Later Chris Constantinou and Hal Lindes collaboration

Chris Constantinou , Hal Lindes and The Sunset Donkeys

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dire Straits</span> British rock band

Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers. The band was active from 1977 to 1988 and again from 1990 to 1995.

Marco Francesco Andrea Pirroni frequently credited simply as Marco, is a British guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He has worked with Adam Ant, Sinéad O'Connor, Siouxsie and the Banshees and many others from the late 1970s to the present day.

<i>Live at the BBC</i> (Dire Straits album) 1995 live album by Dire Straits

Live at the BBC is a live album by British rock band Dire Straits, released on 26 June 1995 on Vertigo Records internationally, and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album was recorded on 22 July 1978 at BBC Studios in London, with one track recorded on 19 December 1980. The studio versions of the first six songs were released on Dire Straits. Live at the BBC was the band's third live album, preceded by Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984) and On the Night (1993).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hal Lindes</span> American musician

Hal Andrew Lindes is an American guitarist and film score composer best known for his time as a member of Dire Straits from late 1980 until late 1984.

<i>Chance</i> (Manfred Manns Earth Band album) 1980 studio album by Manfred Manns Earth Band

Chance is Manfred Mann's Earth Band's tenth album, released in 1980. The album cover art was an adaptation of Danish artist Ole Kortzau's poster "Strandstole". The album marked the temporary return of guitarist and founding member Mick Rogers to the band. John Lingwood replaced drummer Geoff Britton, who left due to illness. It is also the last album that bassist Pat King appeared on. Although Chris Thompson only appeared as a guest vocalist, he was onboard again for the accompanying tour.

<i>Glorified Magnified</i> 1972 studio album by Manfred Manns Earth Band

Glorified Magnified is a rock album released in 1972 by Manfred Mann's Earth Band.

The Wolfmen are an English rock music band formed in 2004, and centred on Marco Pirroni and Chris Constantinou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Sheila</span> 1985 song by Slade

"Little Sheila" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1985 as the fourth and final single from the band's twelfth studio album, Rogues Gallery. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter.

Darling were a British band from the late 1970s, whose music was a mixture of new wave and pop music. The band's singer, Alice Spring, had been the vocalist of the band Slack Alice on their eponymously titled album of 1974, and had a career as pop singer Sandra Barry in the 1960s. Drummer Paul Varley had been the percussionist and a founder member of the well-known band Arrows. Vocalist Alice Spring and bassist Mick Howard came from the 70's London RnB + Rock group Slack Alice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam and the Ants</span> English rock band

Adam and the Ants were an English pop band that formed in London in 1977. The band existed in two versions, both fronted by Adam Ant, between 1977 and 1982. The first phase began when the band were founded in May 1977 and were called the Ants until November of that year. They later changed their style from punk rock to post-punk and new wave and released one album. The final line-up of this version consisted of Dave Barbarossa, Matthew Ashman, and Leigh Gorman—all of whom left the band in January 1980 at the suggestion of manager Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Constantinou</span> English musician

Chris Constantinou is an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for Adam Ant.

<i>Antics in the Forbidden Zone</i> 1990 greatest hits album by Adam Ant

Antics in the Forbidden Zone is a Greatest Hits compilation and accompanying video by the English new wave musician Adam Ant, released 23 October 1990 by Epic Records. The collection spans the years 1979 to 1985, including Ant's time as frontman of Adam and the Ants with selections from Dirk Wears White Sox (1979), Kings of the Wild Frontier (1980), and Prince Charming (1981), as well as his first three solo albums, Friend or Foe (1982), Strip (1983) and Vive Le Rock (1985). The collection does not include "Ants Invasion", from which the title Antics in the Forbidden Zone was taken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mutants (UK band)</span> UK musical group

The Mutants is a punk rock supergroup based around Chris Constantinou, Rat Scabies and Paul Frazer, hosting an all-star cast of guest musicians.

<i>Orlando in Heaven</i> 2017 studio album by Brian Tarquin

Orlando in Heaven is the eighth solo studio album by guitarist Brian Tarquin, released on June 9, 2017, by Cleopatra Records. It peaked #6 on the Relix Jam Band Radio charts October 2017. All tracks were recorded at Tarquin's Jungle Room Studios in Merritt Island, Florida. Being especially moved by the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016, Tarquin composed and produced the songs especially for those victims. It features guest guitar icon Larry Coryell, vocalist Phil Naro, Grammy jazz guitarist Mike Stern, fretless bass player Tony Franklin, Chris Poland (Megadeth), Hal Lindes, Will Ray, jazz keyboardist Bob Baldwin (musician) & Grammy nominee Denny Jiosa. A portion of proceeds is donated to Catholic Charities of Central Florida. They provide case management and supportive services for victims and family members of the Pulse shooting in Orlando.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RudeGRL + CC</span> Hip hop and punk music project

RudeGRL + CC is a collaborative hip hop and punk project formed in 2020, consisting of Jenna Dickens and Chris Constantinou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Thousand Motels</span> Music duo

One Thousand Motels is a collaboration duo of Rat Scabies and Chris Constantinou.

<i>2% out of Sync</i> 2020 studio album by One Thousand Motels

2% out of Sync is the first album by One Thousand Motels, a collaboration project of Rat Scabies and Chris Constantinou.

<i>Like Wow</i> (EP) 2020 EP by RudeGRL CC

Like Wow is the debut EP of RudeGRL + CC, a collaborative project of Jenna Dickens and Chris Constantinou.

<i>Get in Where You Fit In</i> (One Thousand Motels album) 2021 studio album by One Thousand Motels

Get In Where You Fit In is the second album by One Thousand Motels, a collaboration project of Rat Scabies and Chris Constantinou.

References

  1. ↑ Andy Gregory (2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. Psychology Press. ISBN   9781857431612 . Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  2. ↑ John Earls, "The artist formerly known as Chris de Niro", Classic Pop magazine, pp. 78–81, issue 19, October/November 2015
  3. ↑ "The Wolfmen". Damaged Goods . Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  4. ↑ "Hollywood Exiles – Anonymous Letters". Discogs. 1981. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  5. ↑ Mick Burgess (21 January 2021). "Bass ace Chris Constantinou on his life in music, from Adam and the Ants to Rude GRL & CC, via The Mutants, The Wolfmen and much more". IPA Music. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  6. ↑ Andrew Twambley. "Chris Constantinou - Interview". Pennyblackmusic. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.