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 in1979.
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, theNightingales 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. Theyalso 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 a long standing line up, which featured Lloyd, Andreas Schmid from Faust on bass, ex Violet Violet wonder 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 seven vinyl singles, a couple of EPs, two 6 song mini albums, nine full length studio albums plus a movie soundtrack and a double live LP. They have regularly toured UK, mainland Europe and also the USA numerous times,
playing various festivals and recording many radio sessions along the way.
The band continue to operate with no actual manager, booking agent, et al, but they get by. And they work equally well with pop musicians, rock n rollers and the avant garde. The group is
independent, maverick, diligent, daft, blah blah.
Until recent times the Nightingales made one record for a label and then, by choice or otherwise, moved on. But in 2017 they started going steady with Tiny Global Productions.
The first TGP release was the sold out “Be come Not Becoming” 10” EP, followed in 2018 by a 45rpm collaboration with Vic Godard–“Commercial Suicide Man”-and another critically acclaimed ‘Galesalbum “Perish The Thought” and to support this album the group toured Europe extensively, from Scotland
to Serbia.
2019 saw the recording of a new album plus filming of a feature length Nightingales documentary
film, “King Rocker”–written and presented by brilliant stand up comedian Stewart Lee, directed byMichael Cumming (‘Brass Eye’, ‘Toast Of London’,etc).
The album, “Four Against Fate”, was released in May 2020 but unfortunately the accompanying UK tour had to be postponed, several times, until late 2021 and pencilled European and U.S shows were cancelled until much later.
Plans for “King Rocker” were also disrupted in 2020, but the film had it’s TV premiere on Sky Arts in February 2021, and was reviewed and received with great gusto and stunning comments (‘Best rockumentary ever’, etc) by the public and respected film critics alike.
Seemingly loved by all who have seen it, the movie was an Official Selection at the prestigious Sheffield Doc Fest and received it’s World theatrical premiere in June 2021, with more TV and
cinema screenings around the globe booked for later that year and beyond.
A split single with Stewart Lee was released in by Fire Records, alongside ‘deluxe’ expanded,
remastered LP reissues of the band’s first three albums–
“Pigs On Purpose”, “Hysterics” and “In The Good Old Country Way”–plus the first vinyl release of their “Out Of True” album.
The Nightingales finally fulfilled their, four times rearranged and largely sold out, “Four Against Fate”UK tour in October 2021 and in early 2022 the band’s original soundtrack album to the film “King Rocker” was released alongside a book back DVD of KR featuring assorted extras. There was also an odd but exciting FAF remix 12” ‘Disco 45’ titled “The New Nonsense”.
“The Last Laugh” album was released in 2022 and the the double LP “Live In Balsall Heath” followed in 2023. In between these two records the group were special guests of The Damned on an
extensive UK tour.
Meanwhile, the ‘Gales have staged their own live dates in Ireland and the short “Off The Beaten Track” tour, taking in an assortment of the UK’s smaller towns.
In 2024 the group had an amicable divorce from Tiny Global Productions to record a new album for their old pals at Fire Records. “The Awful Truth” was the first all new album for the label responsible for “King Rocker” and the reissues of the early catalogue. The follow up to
TAT is due in 2026. Following the release of “The Awful Truth” the band was officially augmented by wonderful viola
player Natalie Mason who had previously guested with the group on stage and record. In February 2026 the five piece Nightingales will make their initial tour of the UK, their first city tour as
headliners in three years.
You may also like the following events from Ramsgate Music Hall:
- This month, 19th December, 07:30 pm, Skep Wax Xmas Party- Swansea sound, The Gentle Spring + Sassyhiya in Ramsgate
- Happening on, 9th January, 07:30 pm, ETTECON + SMUTT in Ramsgate
- Happening on, 16th January, 07:30 pm, The Molotovs in Ramsgate
Also check out other
Entertainment events in Ramsgate,
Music events in Ramsgate,
Festivals in Ramsgate.
