Late 80s band. one release on Bubble Records, I Want To Be Alone
I Want To Be Alone
Emily
Poor Misguided Fool
Pictures In Your Mind
Band member Simon Maragh has provided a biog of the band:
The Cantels line-up that made the 12″ EP was Susan “Tasha” Emilon on vocals and guitar, Spencer Dobb on bass guitar, Simon Allen on guitar and Stephen Thorne on drums, with me hanging around and playing guitar and keyboard at various times, under my then-name of Simon J. Vincent. Mr. Thorne was subsequently in Delicious Monster.
Mr. Dobb was ousted from the band after a strange set at Brum Uni. during which he inserted inappropriate boogie-woogie bass lines into songs, and at one point lay on his back with his legs up a wall! Spencer’s friend Mr. Allen left with him, and the band gained a much better bassist in Nick Lambrianou (apologies if that is mis-spelled); the line-up of Sue, Stephen, Nick and I recorded a 7″ single called Scream/Killer Eyes, which was manufactured (on the Bluepoint label, named after Sue’s horrible cat) but never went on sale as far as I know, although it’s possible one or two might have been sold at gigs. Both Cantels records were recorded at Outlaw.
We had a few high profile supports due to Ms. Emilon’s then partner having a stint as a gig promoter- Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Shamen. Most of these ended in disarray and/or unpleasantness for one reason or another! Ms. Emilon eventually left Birmingham for London, where she formed a band called Jane Reaction (with original Slits bassist Suzy Webb aka Suzy Gutsy!)- they played once at the Jug of Ale in the ’90s, probably with my outfit Dog Food
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Can confirm the Cantels appearance at an incredible gig at Stratford on Avon town hall supporting the Stone Roses. Never known any other band play there before or since, and the Stone Roses were supporting their debut album, which I believe became rather popular subsequently.
Band member, and provider of the blog, Mr. Simon Maragh, of course, proceeded to become somewhat of a local legend.
I was that soldier… thanks for the ‘much better bassist’ line… good to see someone remember the Stone Roses support- I don’t think people really believe me when I tell them about that..
Last I heard of Stephen Thorne he had become an acedemic and write a PhD on the Brummie accent…
I only regret not keeping the lovely vintage Gibson I used with this band for a while
Hey Nick, I was at school with you. I mainly hung around with Jez Rose. I remember you telling me things about the bass, how you could play chords etc. I started playing bass after I moved away to Nottingham. I saw Jez at this time and said to him that I wanted a Wal bass. Apparently when he relayed this to you he got the reply “Tell him you’ll always go back to a fender”
You were right!