By Dean Vernals
A collection of sounds and stories from unsigned Birmingham bands (UK) from 1985-2005. In each episode musicians dust off old demo tapes and give us the low-down on how the tracks came about.
... more
The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.
The Shore (1990-1993)
Series 2 Episode 1 of the podcast turns the spotlight on the work of The Shore who were active on the Birmingham music scene in the early nineties. Host Dean Vernals played guitar in the band and is joined by singer Matt Killeen and bass player Ash Orton.
Formed in South Birmingham after Dean & Ash initially met at Cadbury College, the first line up of the band was completed by Ant Jones on vocals and Ant Nolan on Drums. They cut a demo and played a couple of gigs before going their separate ways. Dean & Ash continued to write music together and started to audition new musicians. They were eventually joined by frontman Matt Killeen who also played Saxophone and guitar, as well as Ju Bayliss behind the drumkit and decided to keep the original name. The band played live in both Birmingham & London & amongst other things, you can hear all about:
The Shore have selected five tracks from the archives to include in this episode: Safe in Her Hands, Lab Maze, Worldwide Party Time, Braincell Removal Company & Dance on Air.
If you remember The Shore or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Matt Killeen is the Author of both Orphan Monster Spy & Devil Darling Spy
The Renegades & Pavlov Dogs (83-95)
Series 1 Episode 10 of the podcast covers the work of unsigned Birmingham bands The Renegades & Pavlov Dogs. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with Singer Mark ‘Wildman Wilz’ Wilson, Drummer Tim James and Bassist Bob Thacker who were in both line-ups.
All three began playing music together in the early 1980s as The James Boys, before becoming The Renegades where they claim to have invented ‘Cow Punk’. A change of guitarist saw another new name & Pavlov Dogs posters started appearing across the city. Amongst other things, you can hear all about:
· A wild gig in Amsterdam
· A riot almost breaking out after they lost a ‘battle of the bands’ competition
· How their self-released EP made It onto American college radio
After trawling through the archives, they have selected five tracks to play ‘Seeing is Believing’ by The Renegades as well as ‘Sweet Dreams’, Heart Attack, Kingdom Stone & Itching by Pavlov Dogs.
If you remember either line-up or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1 Episode 9 of the podcast covers the work of Indie outfit Boohai Soul and it features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with singer & guitarist Scott Roe.
Formed in 1998, they were mainly a three-piece, although there were a number of other musicians involved over the lifetime of the band. Dean came across Scott and the music of Boohai Soul after searching for members of The Laurels (featured in episode 7) on the Birmingham Music Archive Facebook page.
Scott has selected three tracks to play from the Boohai Soul collection: Anytime You Choose, Reflection & Shades of Uncertainty, which were recorded at Far Heath Studios in Northamptonshire.
We also get to hear ‘Carry Me Away’ by Scott Boohai & The Gustav Chekhov Complex from the forthcoming album ‘Entropy for Beginners’. It's being produced by Joe Trainer & Russell Cottier and is due for release in July next year on Iron Man Records. You can find out more about the album & the musicians who played on it, as well as the Earth Aid project events here.
If you remember Boohai Soul or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1 Episode 8 of the podcast covers the work of Glam/Sleaze outfit Shotgun Wedding as well as discussing the Birmingham rock scene from the late 80s & early 90s. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with guitarist Gray Ettrick & Drummer Ian Danter from the band.
Formed in 1987, Shotgun Wedding were a five-piece and featured a number of different musicians over their 7 years as a band. Dean saw them live at legendary Birmingham rock club Edwards No.8 which they played a number of times.
Gray & Ian have selected three tracks to play from the Shotgun Wedding collection: Pushin’ Shovin’ , Ashamed & She’s From a Different Solar System and the songs chosen feature three different singers.
If you remember Shotgun Wedding or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Shotgun Wedding Drummer Ian Danter has gone on to have a successful radio career since the break up of the band. You can hear him on both talkSPORT and Planet Rock. He was also the host of comedy show the ‘Barmy Brummies’ which is now available as a Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ian-danters-barmy-old-podcast/id1504136590
Series 1 Episode 7 of the podcast covers the work of The Laurels. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with Mark Butler & John Bonehill who both played guitar and shared vocal duties in the band.
The Laurels were a four-piece formed in 1986 and as well as Mark & John, the core line-up featured Trevor Walsh on bass and Fintan O’Hallorhan on drums. Dean first became aware of them sometime in the late 1980s, when he was passed a demo tape by a musician friend. He digitised it during the first lockdown in 2020 & set about locating members of the band, with the hope of persuading them to take part in the series. He struck lucky after spotting a post on the Birmingham Music Archive Facebook page and discovered that he wasn’t the only one who has good memories of their music!
Mark & John have selected three tracks to play from the Laurels collection: Do You Believe in Me?, The Sound of Rain & Watershed. They also share a track they have written together and recorded since the break-up of the band - ‘Falling Away’.
If you remember The Laurels or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1 Episode 6 of the podcast covers the work of CrazyFace as well as looking back at Siren fanzine. Thanks to the wonders of technology, It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with Matt Almond & Pete Moth from the band as well as Tracey Howell who was both their manager and 'copy editor' for Siren.
CrazyFace were a five-piece band formed in 1996. and as well as Matt & Pete featured Simon Pearce on vocals, Jim Perkin-Ball on bass & a selection of different drummers during their time together. Amongst the highlights, they made an appearance at Glastonbury on the 'new band' stage, as well as obtaining a distribution deal for two singles with Bearos Records. Matt, Pete & Tracey have selected three tracks to play from the CrazyFace collection: Software, Brickwall & Free Coke.
Siren Fanzine was first published in December 1994 and featured countless Interviews and reviews of both signed and unsigned bands. Tracey made a point of always including a local unsigned band on the cover and looking back now, it is a valuable record of the Birmingham music scene during that era.
If you remember CrazyFace or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
· To view the promo video Chris Randall directed for the band click here: Brickwall by CrazyFace
· You can follow Siren Fanzine on Facebook to view old copies or click here for a sample: Siren fanzine volume 2 Issue 6
Series 1 Episode 5 of the podcast covers the work of Rachels Basement (Yes..the apostrophe omission is deliberate!). It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with their singer and main songwriter Daniel Rachel. We also discuss his early days as a writer, as well as the solo work recorded after the band split-up. Daniel has since become a best-selling author and his first book ‘Isle of Noises’ about great British songwriters, was a Guardian & NME book of the year.
Rachels Basement were formed in 1993 and there were two different four-piece line-ups of the band. They played to sold out venues on several nationwide headline and support tours, as well as being courted by many record companies. Despite this, a deal would remain elusive.
Daniel has selected four tracks to play from the collection: Our Russian Flame, Quit Your Lowdown Ways & Too Much High Living by Rachels Basement as well as Pearl from his solo album ‘A Taste of Money’.
If you remember Rachels Basement or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow us on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured. More information about Daniel’s books can be found at: http://danielrachel.com
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1 Episode 4 of the podcast covers the work of Gum. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with their singer and main songwriter Bob Buxton. We discuss his early days as a writer as well as other projects he’s been involved in.
Gum played gigs on the Birmingham music scene in the mid-late 1990s as well as recording a demo with producer and musician Steve Conlon.
Bob and has selected four tracks to play from the collection: Loopy, Supervillain & Balance by Gum as well as The Institute by Autopilot. We’re also given a preview of a track from an early demo entitled Love is Misery.
If you remember Gum or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow us on Twitter here to see some archive photographs of the bands featured. Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1, episode 3 covers the work of The Liberty Thieves & looks at the story of Birmingham’s Catapult Club. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with local music promoter Arthur Tapp.
Arthur was the bass player in the Liberty Thieves, who formed in South Birmingham in the mid-1980s. During their time together, the band recorded two EPs, Put it Away released in 1990 & Abandon Hope, which came out a year later. Many people will also know him from the Catapult Club which recently celebrated its 30th Birthday. Arthur has selected three tracks to play from the collection: The Smile on Your Face, Respect & Never Mind and talks us through the life & times of a great unsigned band, as well as a much-loved music promotion business.
If you remember The Liberty Thieves or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected]. You could also follow us on Twitter here to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.
You can purchase The Liberty Thieves EPs, mentioned in this episode, as well as other releases on Catapult Records at: https://thecatapultclubarchive.bandcamp.com
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Series 1, episode 2 covers the work of The Palantines and features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with the band's singer Colin Campbell.
Formed around September 1994, The Palantines, played their first gig at the Black Horse in Aston. Alongside local venues, they toured extensively in the UK, but that all important record deal eluded them. Almost eighteen years after their final gig at the now demolished Railway pub, Colin talks us through the life & times of a great unsigned band.
He's also dusted off old demo tapes and selected three tracks to play from the collection: Think Too Much, Hang ‘Em High & The Lilo Song.
If you remember The Palantines or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: [email protected].
Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes - thanks for listening!
Photographs of The Palantines: Stuart Mills
The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.