The Batfish Boys

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The Batfish Boys
Origin York, England
Genre(s) Gothic rock, garage rock, rockabilly
Years active 1984-1990
Label(s) Batfish Inc., GWR
Associated acts March Violets, Skeletal Family
Members
Simon Detroit
Johey Elliott
T.G. Ashton
Martin Pink
Zero Rek
Bob
Bomber

The Batfish Boys (later simply called Batfish) were a gothic rock/garage rock/rockabilly band from York, England, active between 1984 and 1990, releasing three albums.

The band was formed by former March Violet Simon Detroit (b. Simon Denbigh)(vocals), and ex-Skeletal Family drummer Martin Pink, along with Johey Elliott (guitar), and T.G. Ashton (bass).[1] Their goth-rock tendencies soon gave way to a more Stooges-influenced garage rock sound, with "Swamp Liquor" their first release on their own Batfish Inc. label in 1985, followed soon after by debut album The Gods Hate Kansas,[1] prompting comparisons to the likes of The Cramps and The Gun Club.[2] In 1986, Zero Rek was added on guitar, the band's second album, Head, also appearing that year, now with psychedelic blues overtones.[2] With the band's sound getting progressively heavier, and with a new rhythm section, they were signed by Motorhead's label GWR in 1987, shortening their name to Batfish, the first release on the label being 1988's "Purple Dust" single.[1] 1989 saw the release of the band's third album, Batfish Brew, followed by a 12-inch picture-disc single, a cover of Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust". The band split shortly afterwards.[1]

Contents

[edit] Discography

Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[3]

[edit] Singles

  • "Swamp Liquor" (1985) Batfish Inc. (#22)
  • Crocodile Tears EP (1986) Batfish Inc.
  • "Justine" (1986) Batfish Inc. (#16)
  • "The Bomb Song" (1987) Batfish Inc. (#18)
  • "Purple Dust" (1988) G.W.R.
  • "Another One Bites The Dust" (1989) G.W.R.

[edit] Albums

  • The Gods Hate Kansas (1985) Batfish Inc.
  • Head (1986) Batfish Inc. (#16)
  • Batfish Brew (1989) G.W.R.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1. 
  2. ^ a b David Sheridan/Greg Fasolino. Batfish Boys. TrouserPress.com. Retrieved on 02 March 2008.
  3. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.