The Blockheads
The Blockheads
Biography
Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Durys' album 'New Boots and Panties' on the first Stiff Records tour of the U.K. Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher became known as 'The Blockheads' In 1978 released 'What a Waste' that reached number five in the U.K. charts. They were then joined by saxophonist Davey Payne and toured the U.S.A supporting Lou Reed across North America ending with their own dates in California.
In 1978 Chaz composed 'Hit me with your Rhythm Stick' with Ian, and in 1979 had a number one hit record with it in the U.K. They went on to record the 'Do it Yourself' album and toured Europe and the U.K. recording 'Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3' in Rome. Released as a single in late 1979 it reached number three in the U.K. charts.
In 1980 Wilko Johnson joined to record and release a third album called 'Laughter' and released 'I Want to be Straight' and 'Supermans Big Sister' as singles. They toured throughout 1981 in the U.K and Europe, ending the year with a tour of Australia.
In 1982 Ian Dury & The Blockheads disbanded and were not to play together again until 1987 when they went out to Japan to play three shows, disbanding again until 1990 when the death of Charlie Charles in September of that year re-united them to play two Benefit gigs at The Forum, Camden Town in aid of Charlies' family. The band recorded a live album 'Warts & Audience' at the Brixton Academy in December 1990.
In 1994 the band were invited to play the Madstock Festival in Finsbury Park which led to a series of hit and run gigs in Europe, Ireland, the U.K.and Japan throughout the rest of 1994 and 1995. In March 1996 Ian was diagnosed with cancer and, after recovering from an operation, was determined to write another album.
To this end The Blockheads went into rehearsal in August 1996 and began recording. The album 'Mr. Lovepants' was released in 1998 and in May, Ian & The Blockheads hit the road again.
The band now including Dylan Howe and Gilard Atzmon continued to play gigs throughout 1999. The last performance by Ian Dury & The Blockheads was February 6th 2000 at The London Palladium. Ian died at 9am on 27th March 2000.
At this point the band had to make a decision to either stop or continue. The choice was made and the band have continued making albums and touring the world. Now after nearly a decade since Ian passed away The Blockheads still perform to packed out venues around the world.
A new fan base has continued to build on the on the foundations already laid.
Now after over thirty years The Blockheads are still building their wall of sound and it just gets bigger and better.
Check out www.theblockheads.com
To book the band please contact Peter Barton at Rock Artist Management.
Tel 01200 444544 - 07712628366
emailrockartistmgmt@aol.com
Staring Down The Barrel
Staring Down The Barrel is now released worldwide through EMI records. Some choice quotes from our favourite publications are below!
"Given the times those ancient Blockheads sound more here-and-now than anyone..." Uncut
"Dury would be proud." Mojo
"This is a record which will thrill Blockheads fans of all ages and demonstrates this ensemble have lost none of their passion and spirit." Subba-Cultcha
"The trademark funk/rock/music hall/ska fusion of old mucker Derek The Draw has...got the great man [Ian Dury]'s knack for vivid social commentary nailed too." Big Cheese
"...unexpectedly thoughtful and engaging." Daily Telegraph Review
"It sounds like a vintage Blockheads album..." Record Collector
"Ian Dury owed his brilliance to no one. But he owed his stardom to The Blockheads�Musically Jankel and his men keep it as tight and funky as before." The Word
"Staring Down The Barrel is a great, adult album full of good tunes, witty lyrics and steaming great grooves." bbc.co.uk
Tour Dates 2010
March
Saturday 6th Phoenix Theatre, Exeter
Saturday 27th The Lancastrian Suite.Gateshead.with Special Guests Boomtown Rats.
April
Friday 2nd Blues and Jazz Festival, Nantwich
Saturday 3rd Cox's Yard Stratford Upon Avon
Sunday 4th Mr Kyps Poole
Thursday 8th Robin 2. Bilston
Friday 9th The Square, Harlow
Saturday 10th Millfield Theatre. Edmonton
Wednesday 14th Baby Blue Club Liverpool
Friday 16th Pocklington Arts Centre
Thursday 22nd Derby Tbc
Friday 23rd Severn Cellars, Shrewsbury
Saturday 24th Market Harborough
Thursday 29th Komedia, Brighton
Friday 30th 100 Club, London
May
Saturday 1st Bishop Storford
Sunday 2nd Farborough Football Club. with Special Guests Boomtown Rats & Sham 69
Thursday 6th The Arc Stockton
Tuesday 11th Dingwalls, London
Sunday 30th Manchester
June
Tuesday 1st Fringe Festival, Bath. to be confirmed
Friday 11th The Arena, St Albans with Special Guests Boomtown Rats and Dave Sharp The Alarm
Sunday 13th Summer Fayre Festival Milton keynes
Friday 18th Willownam Festival Northallerton
July
Sunday 4th Cornbury Festival. Oxfordshire
Saturday 10th Nozstock Festival, Hereford
Saturday 24th Sound Island Festival, Quex Park, Birchington, Margate. with Madness
Sunday 25th Trowbridge Village Pump Festival.Wiltshire
Saturday 31st Camp Bestival, Isle of Wight
August
Friday 6th Llanfyrnach Wales
Saturday 14th, Great Dunmow
Friday 27th Limetree Festival Yorkshire
Saturday 28th Upton Town Festival. with special guests Ex Simple Minds and Boomtown Rats.
September
Friday 3rd Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton with special guest Wilko Johnson
October
Saturday 16th Waterside Arts Centre Sale, Near Manchester
Saturday 23rd Canterbury to be confirmed
November
Thursday 11th Bristol
Wednesday 24th The Pavillion, Rhyll, with Special Guests Boomtown Rats.
December
Saturday 4th Confirmed
Saturday 11th Bristol
Friday 17th Colchester
Saturday 18th Colchester
January 2011
Friday 21st Tivoli Theatre,Wimborne. with Special Guests Boomtown Rats.
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