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The Lambrettas

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For other uses, see Lambretta (disambiguation).

The Lambrettas
OriginBrighton, England
GenresMod Revival
Years active1979–1982
2009–present
LabelsRocket Records
MembersJez Bird (vocals, guitar)
Mark Sanders (guitar/vocals)
Mark Ellis (bass)
Paul Wincer (drums)
Websitewww.thelambrettas.co.uk

The Lambrettas were an English mod revival band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian Lambretta scooter brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes. Their original line-up consisted of Jez Bird (singer/guitarist), Doug Sanders (guitarist/vocalist), Mark Ellis (bassist) and Paul Wincer (drummer).

Their biggest hit was in 1980, with a cover version of the 1950s Leiber and Stoller song, "Poison Ivy", which reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart. They scored a #12 hit with the follow-up, "Da-a-a-nce". In the same year, they released the album Beat Boys in the Jet Age, which reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart, and scored another minor hit single single, "Another Day (Another Girl)", at UK. After the Mod revival faded, subsequent singles, which included a 1982 cover of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love", and a second album, 1981's Ambience, were commercial failures. The band played their final concert in London, on 14 April 1982. Bird re-formed the band for a time in the 1990s.

History

Early years (1970s–1980)

Dressing in matching mohair suits and naming themselves after one of the mod-favoured motor scooters. Although decidedly derivative, The Lambrettas proved to be one of the most fondly remembered bands of the mod revival. The band formed near the mod mecca of Brighton and, under the leadership of Bird's catchy songwriting, proved to be more than just Jam sound-alikes, leaving behind mod-life arrogance/elitism in favour of a pure pop sensibility. The Lambrettas played various gigs around England until finally being spotted by Elton John’s record label Rocket Records. At the time Rocket Records was a new label featuring new and unknown acts. It was through this label that The Lambrettas released their first single, Go Steady. The single did reasonably well and Rocket Records decided to officially sign the band and release their next record.

Debut album

The band's next recording was a cover version of the 1950s song Poison Ivy, which had been suggested to them by Pete Waterman, the business partner of their producer Peter Collins. The Lambrettas version had brass arrangements and a clear upbeat “Mod” feel to it. The record which was released as a single did extremely well in the UK. Reaching #7 on the UK Singles Chart it earned the band a silver disc, selling over 500,000 copies, and it continues today to be the band's best selling single.

The next single was more typical of the band’s sound. However it did still reach a respectable #12 in the UK Album Charts. With two singles down the band released their debut album “Beat Boys In The Jet Age”; however controversy occurred when the band attempted to release their third single. Entitled “Page Three”, the newspaper The Sun demanded that the name be changed due to The Sun's well known Page Three pin-up girl. The newspaper forced a change of title and the destruction of all the manufactured sleeves. The album did do reasonably well and due to this the band found themselves opening for Madness during their European tour.

Ambience and split

After the band's European tour they decided to release their next album. It was during this period that Steve Bray (former drummer for Toyah Willcox) replaced Paul Wincer. However despite the album's high level of production and general solid feel, it wasn’t a success. The band had tried to reach larger audiences by toning down on their mod image.

Throughout 1981 singles were released from the second album but all failed to really hit off with the British public. Steve Bray was replaced by Pat Freyne and the band continued their struggle. By 1982 it was decided that they would record another cover. Jefferson Airplane's song "Somebody to Love" was chosen. Despite attempts to gain popularity over the radio the single didn’t chart.

By mid 1982 hope of success had faded and the band parted with their record label and each other. In 1985 a best of album was released entitled Kick Start.

Later Work

Jez Bird re-formed the band in the 1990s, performing at small venues in England, and recording several demos for a new album that was never issued. In 1997 he re-recorded the band's hit Da-a-ance. This featured on the compilation Generation to Generation,[1] released on the Dr. Martens Records label. He subsequently recorded a new version of the theme from TV series Starsky & Hutch which featured on the Cult Themes from the 70s Vol.1 album, released in 1997.

Current Line-up

Founding member, Jez Bird, died of cancer on 27 August 2008, at the age of 50. Guitarist Doug Sanders and drummer Paul Wincer reunited to play as The Lambrettas once again in 2009, with Doug Sanders taking over vocal duties. Joining them were guitarist Philip Edwards and Chris Venzi-James on bass, playing their first gig in Brighton on the 15 August that year. The band have been well received and are busy touring the UK and Europe.

  • Doug Sanders – vocals
  • Paul Wincer – drums
  • Philip Edwards – guitar
  • Chris Venzi-James – bass

Discography

Albums

  1. Beat Boys In The Jet Age (1981)
  2. Ambience (1981)
  3. Kick Start (1985)

EPs and singles

  1. "Go Steady" (1979)
  2. "Poison Ivy" (1980)
  3. "D-a-a-ance" (1980)
  4. "Another Day, Another Girl" (aka Page 3) (1980)
  5. "Good Times" (1981)
  6. "Anything You Want" (1981)
  7. "Decent Town" (1981)
  8. "Somebody To Love" (1982)

Compilation Album Tracks (selective)

  1. "Starsky & Hutch Theme" (1997)

See also

References

  1. ^ These Boots Are Made For Your CD Player The Independent

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