Sharks (band formed 1972)

Last updated

Sharks
Sharks Logo.png
Background information
Genres Rock
Years active1972–1974, 1993–1995, 2015–present
Members
Past members
Website sharks-band.com

Sharks are a British rock band formed in 1972 by former Free bassist Andy Fraser upon his departure from Free. [1] They were signed to Island Records and were highly rated by critics, especially for Chris Spedding's guitar work. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

The original line-up consisted of Fraser (bass, piano), Snips (real name, Steve Parsons) (vocals), Spedding (guitar) and Marty Simon (drums).

History

Formation

Andy Fraser had originally contacted Chris Spedding, in July 1971, to discuss playing in his first post-Free band, Toby. When Fraser formed Sharks a year later, he contacted Spedding again and, this time, they agreed to work together. Fraser had already recruited his friend Marty Simon, so auditions were held for a singer to complete the line-up. Robert Palmer and Leo Sayer were turned down in favour of an unknown 21-year-old from Yorkshire, Steve Parsons, also known as Snips, originally spotted by Island A&R man Muff Winwood. Snips had previously fronted a Hull-based band called Nothingeverhappens. Parsons "played one song of his, "Snakes and Swallowtails" and he was in", Spedding later told Melody Maker . [5]

1970s

Sharks' first gig was in October 1972, in Islington and they played a few clubs in Europe during December 1972, before returning to London, to record their debut album.

In January & February 1973, Sharks embarked on a UK tour, playing clubs and universities. To promote the band, whilst touring, Chris Spedding customized his Pontiac Le Mans, fitting a shark fin on the roof and fibreglass teeth on the grille. On 19 February 1973, on the way back to London from a gig in Cleethorpes, the car skidded and hit a tree. Fraser suffered injuries to his wrist and, during recuperation, had second thoughts about the band. [5]

After a short break, the band went back on the road in March and April, opening for Roxy Music, although Fraser had some difficulty playing with his injury. On 17 March, they made an appearance on the BBC Two programme, Old Grey Whistle Test . [6] The tour ended on 15 April, in Cardiff.

Their debut album, First Water, was released in the same month to critical acclaim, but Fraser left shortly afterwards and the band began searching for a replacement. Those considered included Tom Robinson, Ric Grech and Boz Burrell. Mick Jagger then recommended a bass player from Memphis, Tennessee, Busta Cherry Jones, who joined in July 1973, along with the ex-Audience keyboard player, Nick Judd.

A new UK tour with this line-up began in September 1973 and ran through until March 1974, when their second album, Jab It in Yore Eye, was released. The band then toured the United States during April and May 1974, travelling in the same bus used by the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. [7] The first two albums of the band were described as a mixture of woozy blues and hard rock. [8]

On their return to the UK, they began recording their third album (produced by John Entwistle of the Who), with the working title Music Breakout, in June 1974. However, Simon was unhappy with the recording and was replaced by Stuart Francis. Jones then decided to return to the States, selling one of Spedding's guitars, which he stole, to pay for the flight. With Island Records not keen on the original master recordings for the third album, financial support was withdrawn and the band folded in October 1974. [4] The album had an unofficial release in 2016, under the title Car Crash Tapes. [9]

Spedding continued his session work and solo career, whilst Snips joined Ginger Baker in the Baker Gurvitz Army and then went solo himself, before beginning a successful career as a film and TV composer. [10]

1990s

In 1993, Spedding and Snips began recording together again as Sharks, although the album, Like a Black Van Parked on a Dark Curve..., was not released until 1995. There was a one-off gig in London, in December 1995, featuring Snips, Spedding, Jackie Badger (bass), Blair Cunningham (drums) and Nick Judd (keyboards). [4]

2010s

In 2011, Chris Spedding and Steve Parsons re-united for a new project, King Mob, featuring Martin Chambers (ex-Pretenders) on drums, Glen Matlock (ex-Sex Pistols) on bass and a new guitarist, named 'Sixteen'. Their debut album, Force 9, was released on the Steamhammer label, in November 2011. [11]

During 2013, Andy Fraser contacted Chris Spedding and the two performed UK gigs together for the first time in 40 years, backed by Fraser's band, Tobi. [12] Fraser joined Spedding on his 2014 album Joyland, which was produced and co-written by Steve Parsons. The three musicians thought of reviving the band Sharks, however Fraser died soon after, in March 2015. [13] Spedding and Parsons went ahead with the reformation, including Nick Judd from the previous incarnations of the band and adding the drummer Paul Cook (ex-Sex Pistols) and the bassist Tosh Ogawa. [14]

In 2016, the band played at The Borderline in London, including new songs from the album they were preparing, [15] and have continued playing live shows in the UK and Japan. Their 2017 show at the Lexington was described by Über Röck as 'one of the best club gigs I have seen last year and this'. [16]

Sharks released the single "One Last Thrill" on 30 September 2016 [17] and, in January 2017, the album Killers of the Deep (cover art by comic book artist Shaky Kane), [18] both through 3Ms Records. [19] Unlike the albums from the 1970s, which were produced by a record company, this time the musicians recorded the album on their own and had more control on their work. They made the recordings as live as possible, none of the tracks having more than four takes. [4]

The album was well received, being mentioned the steady groove and the good song-writing quality, [20] [21] deserving to deliver the success that eluded Sharks first time round. [22] The rock is more melodic, [8] with the guitarist Spedding alternating between swamp-blues ("Killer On The New Tube") and sharp rockabilly ("Can’t Get The Devil"). [23]

Sharks themselves have been filming their 21st century revival for a documentary feature to be entitled One Last Thrill. In June 2017, they released a six-minute promo clip of the film through the Vive Le Rock website. [24]

Not a Rock-Doc: A Shark's Tail

Steve Parsons and Anke Trojan directed the 2023 documentary Not a Rock-Doc: A Shark's Tail, about the ups and downs in the story of this band, from the success heights in the '70 to the issues that led to its dissolution and then to further insights around the subsequent reunion. [25] [26] [27] Filmed in Berlin, Tokyo and London, the film was noticed for its integration of various angles of raw footage and for its humor and irony. [28] The narrative is stirred by interactions with Steve Parsons and Chris Spedding, notably Jordan Mooney (Pamela Rooke) managing to bring to light previously unknown nuances in discussions with an otherwise tight Chris Spedding. [29]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squeeze (band)</span> British rock band

Squeeze are an English pop rock band that came to prominence in the United Kingdom during the new wave period of the late 1970s, and continued recording in the 1980s, 1990s and 2010s. In the UK, their singles "Cool for Cats", "Up the Junction", and "Labelled with Love" were top-ten chart hits. Though not as commercially successful in the United States, Squeeze had American hits with "Tempted", "Black Coffee in Bed", and "Hourglass", and were considered a part of the Second British Invasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mott the Hoople</span> British rock band

Mott the Hoople were an English rock band formed in Herefordshire. Originally named the Doc Thomas Group, the band changed their name after signing with Island Records in 1969. The band released albums at the beginning of the 1970s but failed to find any success. On the verge of breaking up, the band were encouraged by David Bowie to stay together. Bowie wrote their glam-style signature song "All the Young Dudes" for them, which became their first hit in 1972. Bowie subsequently produced their album of the same name, which added to their success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel</span> British glam rock band

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel were an English rock band who formed in the early 1970s in London. Their music covered a range of styles from pop to progressive rock. Over the years, they have had five albums on the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free (band)</span> English rock band

Free were an English rock band formed in London in 1968 by Paul Rodgers (vocals), Paul Kossoff (guitar), Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke. They are best known for their hit songs "All Right Now" and "Wishing Well". Although renowned for their live performances and non-stop touring, their music did not sell well until their third studio album, Fire and Water (1970), which featured the hit "All Right Now". The song helped secure them a performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, where they played to an audience of 600,000 people. In the early 1970s they became one of the best-selling British blues rock groups; by the time they disbanded, they had sold more than 20 million records worldwide and had played in more than 700 arenas and festival concerts. "All Right Now" remains a staple of R&B and rock, and has entered ASCAP's "One Million" airplay singles club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Spedding</span> Musical artist

Christopher John Spedding is an English guitarist and record producer. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Spedding is best known for his studio session work. By the early 1970s, he had become one of the most sought-after session guitarists in England. Spedding has played on and produced many albums and singles. He has also been a member of eleven rock bands: the Battered Ornaments, Frank Ricotti Quartet, King Mob, Mike Batt and Friends, Necessaries, Nucleus, Ricky Norton, Sharks, Trigger, and the Wombles. In May 1976, Spedding also produced the first Sex Pistols recordings.

"The Great Gig in the Sky" is the fifth track on The Dark Side of the Moon, a 1973 album by English rock band Pink Floyd. The song features music by keyboard player Richard Wright and improvised, wordless vocals by session singer Clare Torry. It is one of only three Pink Floyd songs to feature vocals from an outside artist. The Great Gig in the Sky was released as a digital single in February 2023 to promote The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary box set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Di'Anno</span> British heavy metal singer

Paul Andrews, better known by his stage name Paul Di'Anno, is an English heavy metal singer who was the lead vocalist for Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981. In his post-Maiden career, Di'Anno has issued numerous albums over the years, as both a solo artist and as a member of such bands as Gogmagog, Di'Anno's Battlezone, Killers, Rockfellas, and more recently, Warhorse. Together with fellow Iron Maiden member Dennis Stratton, he joined Praying Mantis for the recording of their 1990 live album Live at Last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hillman</span> American musician (b. 1944)

Christopher Hillman is an American musician. He was the original bassist of the Byrds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strawbs</span> English rock band

The Strawbs are an English rock band founded in 1964 as the Strawberry Hill Boys. The band started out as a bluegrass group, but eventually moved on to other styles such as folk rock and progressive rock.

Hatfield and the North were an experimental Canterbury scene rock band that lasted from October 1972 to June 1975, with some reunions thereafter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Fraser</span> British bass guitarist (1952–2015)

Andrew McIan Fraser was a British musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist and co-composer for the rock band Free, which he helped found in 1968 when he was 15. He also founded the rock band Sharks after leaving Free in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gordon (singer)</span> American singer, musician and actor (1947–2022)

Robert Gordon was an American rockabilly singer.

<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.

Roadstar was a British rock band formed in 2002. The group originally went under the name Hurricane Party and disbanded in April 2007. A year later several of the members, together with Sid Glover, formed Heaven's Basement. In 2016, former band member Richie Hevanz became frontman of Fragile Things, following a short stint in a band called Endless Mile. In July 2021, Hevanz became the frontman for Misery's Smile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eureka Machines</span> British pop rock band

Eureka Machines are a British pop rock band based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, who formed in 2007. The band consists of Chris Catalyst on lead vocals & guitar, Davros on guitar & backing vocals, Pete Human on bass guitar & backing vocals and Wayne Insane on drums. Described as "power pop" by Classic Rock magazine, they are something of a cottage industry, putting out their own records and being self-managing and self-promoting while also touring and gaining press coverage and airplay at a national level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Cooper (band)</span> American rock band

Alice Cooper, also known as the Alice Cooper Group or the Alice Cooper Band, was an American rock band formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1968. The band consisted of lead singer Vincent Furnier, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith (drums). The band was notorious for their elaborate, theatrical shock rock stage shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busta Jones</span> American singer-songwriter (1951–1995)

Michael "Busta" Jones was an American musician, songwriter and producer. He is known for his bass work both live and in the studio with Albert King, Talking Heads, Gang of Four, Chris Spedding as well as many others during a decade spanning career that lasted from the late 1960s until his death in 1995.

<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.

Stephen W. Parsons, also known as Steve Parsons, Stephen Parsons, Snips, Mr. Snips, SWP, is an English musician, composer, songwriter and record producer.

References

  1. ↑ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 244. CN 5585.
  2. ↑ "Crawdaddy Lead Review", Bruce Malamut Vol. 27, 1973
  3. ↑ Gavin Martin, "Sharks - Killers of the Deep", Daily Mirror, 10 February 2017
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Sharks - Killers On The Loose Again". 13 November 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  5. 1 2 Bright, Kimberly (2006). Chris Spedding: Reluctant Guitar Hero.
  6. ↑ "Old Grey Whistle Test". Vintage Rock TV Archive. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  7. ↑ Clarke, Steve (25 May 1974). "Making it on the Beatles' old bus". New Musical Express. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  8. 1 2 David Quantic, "Killers Of The Deep - Vets' return shows they've still got the bite", Classic Rock (magazine)
  9. ↑ "Sharks – Car Crash Tapes". Discogs. 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  10. ↑ "Sharks - Welcome Back". Classic Rock. February 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  11. ↑ Barnard, Jason. "Chris Spedding and King Mob". The Strange Brew. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Songs played by tour: Andy Fraser, Chris Spedding & Tobi Band". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  13. ↑ Kieron Tyler, Sharks - Killers Of The Deep, Mojo (magazine)
  14. ↑ Chaligne, Craig (23 September 2017). "Sharks: Killers Of The Deep – album review". Louder Than War . Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  15. ↑ "Sharks - Borderline Live Review" (PDF). Record Collector . Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  16. ↑ Rowland, Jim (1 October 2017). "Sharks – London, The Lexington – 24 September 2017". Über Röck. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  17. ↑ Ranson, Gerry (1 September 2016). "Sharks - One Last Thrill (Video Exclusive)". Vive Le Rock . Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  18. ↑ "Sharks – Killers Of The Deep". Discogs. 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  19. ↑ Haslam, Martin (4 December 2016). "Sharks". Über Röck. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Rigby, Paul (17 December 2016). "Sharks' Third Album, But Do They Still Have The Bite?" . Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  21. ↑ "Sharks - Cult 70s Band Bares Its' Teeth", Guitarist (magazine), March 2017
  22. ↑ Rowland, Jim (19 January 2017). "Sharks - Killers Of The Deep". Über Röck. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  23. ↑ Moody, Paul. "Sharks - Killers Of The Deep". Q . Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  24. ↑ Ranson, Gerry (22 June 2017). "Sharks On Film Rampage!". Vive Le Rock . Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  25. ↑ "Doc'N Roll Festival Returns!". Vive Le Rock . Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  26. ↑ "10th Doc'N Roll Film Festival starting next month!". Punktuation Magazine. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  27. ↑ "Not a Rock-Doc: A Shark's Tail". Doc'N Roll Festival. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  28. ↑ "Unearthing a Rock Renaissance in Raw Intimacy * NOT A ROCK-DOC". Le Mile Magazine. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  29. ↑ "GIVE ME THE MUSIC - A preview podcast of 4 films playing at the 10th DOCNROLL FILM FESTIVAL". RedCircle. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
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.