The Gymslips

Trackimage Playbut Trackname Playbut Trackname
Barbara Cartland 02:39 Tools
Drink Problem 02:05 Tools
Renees 02:55 Tools
Robot Man 01:47 Tools
Thinking Of You 02:28 Tools
48 Crash 03:18 Tools
Evil Eye 06:20 Tools
Big Sister 02:21 Tools
Big Sister (It's Probably Better) 02:21 Tools
Face Lifts 03:00 Tools
Dear Marje 01:29 Tools
Pie & Mash 01:59 Tools
Miss Nunsweeta 02:24 Tools
Wandering Stars 02:27 Tools
Angels 01:04 Tools
Yo Yo 02:27 Tools
Some Girls 02:55 Tools
Complications 02:33 Tools
Multi Coloured Sugar 01:55 Tools
Loves Not The Answer 02:32 Tools
Don't Lead Me On 02:35 Tools
Take Away 03:28 Tools
Silly Egg 02:49 Tools
Valley Girl 02:19 Tools
Slobadobdob 01:22 Tools
Call Again 02:32 Tools
Wonderland 02:46 Tools
Wonderful 02:32 Tools
Barbard Cartland 02:32 Tools
Sit On My Face Stevie Nicks 02:32 Tools
Midnight City 02:32 Tools
On the Line (John Peel session 22.05.84) 02:32 Tools
Leave Me (John Peel session 22.05.84) 02:32 Tools
Pie and Mash 02:32 Tools
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This East London trio - formed in August 1981 and initially dressing up as schoolgirls - made their vinyl debut on the all-girl Making Waves compilation with a song called 'Midnight City'. By the end of 1982 they had recorded no less than three radio sessions - two for John Peel, one for Kid Jensen - and had signed with Abstract Records. Late 1982 saw the release of their debut single, "48 Crash". This Suzi Quatro cover earned them a Top Twenty spot in the indie charts, despite being too similar in execution to the original for comfort. The follow up single "Big Sister" was released at the beginning of 1983 and although it was far better than the debut it somehow failed to trouble the charts, and nor did single number three, a terrific novelty rocker called "Robot Man". In April 1983 they expanded to a four piece with the addition of keyboardist Kathy Barnes and released 'Rocking With The Renees'. This fine platter had them transcending their influences (Ramones, X-Ray Spex, glam rock and 60's pop) and producing great music. The addition of Barnes fleshed out their songs and made them poppier. Girls can do it pretty good, they sang, and this funny, catchy and highly confident record was the proof, with utterly unpretentious songs about plastic surgery, alcohol, pie and mash, and boys. Another indie hit, this was released in the US as 'Drink Problem'. Two further John Peel sessions followed, but after that things went very quiet indeed. Karen Yarnell left to join Serious Drinking, and Paul was forced to recruit an entirely new line up. When a new single, "Evil Eye", crept out in 1985, it wasn't a good finale. The band sounded too serious by half. LINEUP (1981-1983) Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards (pre-The Deltones / Potato 5 / The Renees) Bass, vocals: Suzanne Scott Drums, vocals: Karen Yarnell (pre-Serious Drinking / The Blubbery Hellbellies / The Renees) There was also a fourth member right at the start, but no one in the band can remembers her name! The song "Miss Nunsweeta" was about her, though. This is the 'classic' lineup which recorded everything up to and including the debut LP. LINEUP (1983-1984) Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards Bass, vocals: Suzanne Scott Drums, vocals: Karen Yarnell Keyboards: Kathy Barnes LINEUP (1984-1985) Vocals, guitar: Paula Richards Bass, vocals: Karen Kay Keyboards: Sue Vickers Drums, vocals: Michelle Chowrimootoo Drums: Jan Frazer This lineup recorded the Evil Eye 12". Yarnell later rejoined singer Paula Richards in The Renees, releasing an album in 1990. Kay later joined Daughters of Gaia and Webcore, but is now editor-in-chief of FAE Magazine (Faeries and Enchantment), and also (and I quote) "founder of the 3 Wishes Faery Fest, the UK’s first faerie festival with overnight camping and live music stages and entertainment, a magical wonderland of enchantment! Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.