BUMS e-TICKET - THE NIGHTINGALES + SUPPORT (TBA) : SAT 8th MAY 2021

£8.00

THE NIGHTINGALES

Birmingham’s original punk group The Prefects had been part
of The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, recorded a couple of Peel
sessions, released a 45 on Rough Trade and, years after
splitting up, had a retrospective CD released by NY label Acute
Records to all round glowing reviews – from Rolling Stone to
webzines.
The Nightingales was formed by a few members of The Prefects
following that band’s demise in 1979.
Described in John Robb’s definitive book on post punk (“Death
To Trad Rock”) as “The misfits’ misfits” and comprising an ever
fluctuating line up, based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd,
the Nightingales enjoyed cult status in the early ’80’s as
darlings of the credible music scene and were championed by
John Peel, who said of them – “Their performances will serve to
confirm their excellence when we are far enough distanced
from the 1980’s to look at the period rationally and other,
infinitely better known, bands stand revealed as charlatans”.
The group recorded a bunch of critically acclaimed singles –
pretty much always ‘Single Of The Week’ in the music press –
and three albums, plus many radio sessions for their great
supporter Peel. They also regularly toured the UK and Northern
Europe, as headliners and supporting acts as diverse as Bo
Diddley and Nico.
In the late Eighties the Nightingales stopped working but,
following the occasional gig between times, they re-grouped in
2004.
After fucking about with various part timers, starry eyed
wastrels, precious sorts and mercenaries the group arrived at
it’s current line up, which features Lloyd, Andreas Schmid from
Faust on bass, ex Violet Violet drummer Fliss Kitson and on
guitar James Smith, who Lloyd had
spotted playing with Damo
Suzuki.
Since restarting the group have been more productive than ever – releasing six 7′′ vinyl singles, two 10′′ EPs and six studio
albums, touring England, mainland Europe and USA numerous
times, playing various festivals and recording many radio
sessions along the way.
Until recently the Nightingales made one record for a label and
then moved on. They continue to operate with no manager,
booking agent, publisher, et al. They work equally well with pop
musicians, rock n rollers and the avant garde. Independent,
maverick, diligent, daft, blah blah.
The band’s latest releases for their new mates at Tiny Global
Productions, are a six track 10” mini album “Become Not
Becoming” (2017) and a 7” 45 collaboration with the great Vic
Godard in May 2018 – “Commercial Suicide Man”.
Later in the year a new album, titled “Perish The Thought”, will
be released with an extensive UK/Euro tour to coincide.
By hook or by crook, more adventures will follow.

There are drum and guitar bands and then there is the Nightingales, dwarfing the rest, unmatched and

utterly underrated in both musical originality and stylistic innovation.

- ROCK N REEL *****

The consummate sore thumbs of pop.

- SUNDAY EXPERIENCE

Heartening evidence of the British art of mentally transforming ennui and chagrin into something approaching gold. Stitch that, popularity

- MOJO

As original as it is uncompromising.

- STOOL PIGEON

With The Fall getting Lifetime Achievement awards and Gang Of Four canonised it is long past time the wayward genius of Robert Lloyd and his cohorts was recognised.

- RECORD COLLECTOR

Prophets without honour.

- STEWART LEE

They genuinely sound more vital than ever.

- UNCUT

A maelstrom of Krautrockin’ grooves, Beefheartian guitars and pummelling percussion. Still scabrous, sardonic and singular, you really wouldn’t want it any other way.

-Q

Consistently one of the best live experiences in the country.

- BRIGHTON NOISE

How refreshing to hear Lloyd and his raucous hard bitten charges still pulling off chair legs and throwing them at the staid musical establishment. As glorious a racket as you could wish to hear.

- FLIPSIDE

The surplus of ideas on display is nothing short of dizzying.

- THE FLY

Droll, surly, ace, a proper rock & roll group

- MAIL ON SUNDAY

As difficult, original and wonderful as ever.

- BRUM BEAT

An arch glam terrace stomp through UKIP heartland.

- SUNDAY TIMES

Contender for gig of the year!

- MOJO

Jetted in to my top ten gigs of all time.

- PHILL JUPITUS

Nothing short of sheer brilliance.

- COLLAPSE BOARD

Worm their way into that itchy bit of the brain that so seldom gets scratched.

- GUARDIAN UNLIMITED

Utterly compelling.

- SILENT RADIO

A bristling torrent of ideas, anger, danceable rhythms and caustic melody

- THE QUIETUS

There are points where songs are going to implode or be blown apart by the band and Lloyd pulling in many different directions at the same time, but it's exactly that which keeps them so enthralling and leaves the listener constantly on the edge.

- EVEN THE STARS

Birmingham’s original punk group The Prefects had been part
of The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, recorded a couple of Peel
sessions, released a 45 on Rough Trade and, years after
splitting up, had a retrospective CD released by NY label Acute
Records to all round glowing reviews – from Rolling Stone to
webzines.
The Nightingales was formed by a few members of The Prefects
following that band’s demise in 1979.
Described in John Robb’s definitive book on post punk (“Death
To Trad Rock”) as “The misfits’ misfits” and comprising an ever
fluctuating line up, based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd,
the Nightingales enjoyed cult status in the early ’80’s as
darlings of the credible music scene and were championed by
John Peel, who said of them – “Their performances will serve to
confirm their excellence when we are far enough distanced
from the 1980’s to look at the period rationally and other,
infinitely better known, bands stand revealed as charlatans”.
The group recorded a bunch of critically acclaimed singles –
pretty much always ‘Single Of The Week’ in the music press –
and three albums, plus many radio sessions for their great
supporter Peel. They also regularly toured the UK and Northern
Europe, as headliners and supporting acts as diverse as Bo
Diddley and Nico.
In the late Eighties the Nightingales stopped working but,
following the occasional gig between times, they re-grouped in
2004.
After fucking about with various part timers, starry eyed
wastrels, precious sorts and mercenaries the group arrived at
it’s current line up, which features Lloyd, Andreas Schmid from
Faust on bass, ex Violet Violet drummer Fliss Kitson and on
guitar James Smith, who Lloyd had
spotted playing with Damo
Suzuki.
Since restarting the group have been more productive than ever – releasing six 7′′ vinyl singles, two 10′′ EPs and six studio
albums, touring England, mainland Europe and USA numerous
times, playing various festivals and recording many radio
sessions along the way.
Until recently the Nightingales made one record for a label and
then moved on. They continue to operate with no manager,
booking agent, publisher, et al. They work equally well with pop
musicians, rock n rollers and the avant garde. Independent,
maverick, diligent, daft, blah blah.
The band’s latest releases for their new mates at Tiny Global
Productions, are a six track 10” mini album “Become Not
Becoming” (2017) and a 7” 45 collaboration with the great Vic
Godard in May 2018 – “Commercial Suicide Man”.
Later in the year a new album, titled “Perish The Thought”, will
be released with an extensive UK/Euro tour to coincide.
By hook or by crook, more adventures will follow.