Spinal Tap defined, from the Rocklopedia Brittanicus
SPINAL TAP (1964 - ?); Veteran hard-rock unit noted for their high
volume assault and dogged persistence. David St. Hubbins (g) and Nigel
Tufnel (lead g) formed nucleus of band, THE ORIGINALS, Squatney, East
London, 1964. Late 1964 founded THAMESMEN with Ronnie Puddings
(bs, ex-CHEAP DATES), and John (Stumpy) Pepys (drms, ex-LESLIE,
CHESWICK SOUL EXPLOSION, see Cheswick: Les & Mary). Released
"Gimme Some Money" b/w "Cups and Cakes" (Abbey, 1965). Toured
extensively in Benelux nations, with Jan van der Kvelk (kybds). Returned
in UK as DUTCHMEN
Period of intense personnel turnover followed, accompanied by wholesale
name changes including: RAVEBREAKERS, DOPPEL GANG, SILVER
SERVICE, BISQUITS, LOVE BISQUITS, TUFNEL-ST. HUBBINS
GROUP. A-Side of first Spinal Tap single "(Listen to the) Flower People:
b/w "Rainy Day Sun" (Megaphone, 1965) penned by Pudding, who left
band to form PUDDING PEOPLE, releasing single "I Am the Music" and
album "I Am More Music" (Megaphone, 1967). With replacement Derek
Smalls (ex-pioneer all-white Jamaican band, SKAFACE), band recorded
first album "Spinal Tap" (released in U.S. as "Spinal Tap Sings '(Listen to
the) Flower People And Other Favorites'"), went gold in U.K. Sales of
follow-up album "We Are All Flower People" were disappointing. Tap
toured Europe in support of then-hot "Matchstick Men," developing harder
twin-guitar style. Live recording of landmark appearance at Electric Zoo,
Wimpton, U.K. produced third album, "Silent But Deadly."
Pepys, suddenly dead in tragedy, replaced by Eric "Stumpy Joe" Childs
(ex-WOOLCAVE). Albums recorded by this lineup included:
"Brainhammer," "Blood To Let,""Nerve Damage," and "Intravenous de
Milo." For ambitiously flawed concept LP "The Sun Never Sweats." Tap
hired Ross MacLochness (kybds, ex-KILT KIDS) and replaced "Stumpy
Joe", dead in sudden tragedy, with session drummer Peter James Bond.
This lineup toured Far East in 1975, released second live album "Jap
Habit." MachLochness, retured to missionary work in Namibia, later
released solo LP, "Doesn't Anybody Here Speak English?" On "Bent For
The Rent," band's late-arriving glitter attempt, Viv Savage (kybds, ex-
AFTERTASTE) came aboard. Press attention was momentarily attracted
when band sued Megaphone for back royalties, and label threatened to
countersue, charging "lack of talent". After "Nice 'n Stinky" from two year
old "Habit" became surprise American hit in 1977, Tap signed with
Polymer Records, replaced Bond, who had died with tragic suddenness,
with Mick Shrimpton (ex-Eurovision Song Contest house band), released
"Shark Sandwich" (1980) and "Smell The Glove" (1982).
Though neither a critics' nor a public favorite, Spinal Tap continues to fill a
much needed void.