The Woodentops
Taking punk's D.I.Y. ideals and applying them to stripped-down acoustic pop, the Woodentops achieved a great deal of critical success in the short time they were together. Formed in the early '80s in Northhampton, England, the group consisted of Rolo McGinty (vocals, guitar), Frank de Freitas (bass), Simon Mawby (guitar), Benny Staples (drums), and Alice Thompson (keyboards). The band released its debut single, "Plenty," on Food Records; the record led to a contract with Rough Trade. Throughout 1985, the Woodentops released a series of singles, all written by McGinty, that began to attract an audience in the U.K. The group released its acclaimed debut album, Giant, in 1986. The following year, the Woodentops began experimenting with their sound, adding tougher guitars and electronics as McGinty became increasingly interesting in dance music. These changes were particularly evident in their live show, as shown by their 1987 live recording, Hypno Beat Live, recording during the group's American tour. (The tour also introduced new keyboard player Anne Stephenson, formerly of the Communards, who replaced Thompson.) Featuring the contributions of professional studio musicians Bernie Worrell and Doug Wimbish, among others, 1988's Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway continued the group's experimentations with rhythmic and sonic textures.
While the Woodentops scored a minor radio hit in Los Angeles with "Stop This Car" and they developed a sizable following in Japan, extensive touring in 1991 and 1992 failed to widen their fan base, and at the end of 1992, the Woodentops broke up. Rolo McGinty worked in electronic music and sang with Gary Lucas' group Gods & Monsters, while Simon Mawby was briefly a member of the group House of Love. In 2006, McGinty assembled a new lineup of the Woodentops for a reunion tour; joining original members McGinty, Mawby, and de Freitas were drummer Paul Ashby, pianist Richard Thomas, and keyboardist Aine O'Keeffe. The Woodentops played live periodically over the next several years, and in 2014 they returned with their first new album in over 25 years, Granular Tales.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Before During After
Alternative & Indie - Released by One Little Independent on May 27, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Granular Tales
Rock - Released by Cherry Red Records on Dec 13, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ride A Cloud (Radio Edit)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 20, 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ride A Cloud (Xavi's Campfire Remix)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on May 17, 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fruits Of The Deep
Rock - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 22, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Third Floor Rooftop High
Rock - Released by Cherry Red Records on Jan 13, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ride A Cloud (Coyote Remix)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on Jun 25, 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dream On (Rolo Dub)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 1, 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dream On (Balearic Ultras Brooke Bass Remix)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 5, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
LONDON
Folk - Released by Little People Big Music on Mar 22, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dream On (Single version)
Rock - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 5, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dream On (Balearic Ultras Brooking bassRemix)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on Apr 5, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ride A Cloud Rolo's Dub (Dub Version)
Dance - Released by Little People Big Music on Jan 15, 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo