Alison Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Alison Wheeler is a British singer, best known as the female vocalist for The Beautiful South
from 2003 until they disbanded in 2007.
Wheeler's career in music began at university in a cover band called Melt City, alongside Hal Ritson, now of The Young Punx
, Kev Dowd, now of Lowbrow, James Woods, now of Jam Sandwich and Dom Wilhelm, (of 1990s UK pop punk act Satellite Beach). On arriving in London she joined indie band Junk, subsequently renamed Treehouse, well known on the Camden & Islington gig circuit (The Dublin Castle, Bull & Gate, the Laurel Tree, the Hope & Anchor, Islington).
In 1998 Wheeler responded to an audition for a "girl band". Virginia, masterminded by Ian Shaw and then consisting of Louise Miller and Lee Winnick, the latter shortly afterwards replaced by Laura Matthews. Virginia featured repeatedly as guests on BBC Radio, particularly Janice Long
, Jonathan Ross
, Gyles Brandreth
, Nicky Campbell
and Ned Sherrin
, as well as TV appearances in Northern Ireland on the Kelly Show. Tracks from Virginia's first album Firstbite had chart success in the US Billboard charts.
In 2002 her work with London gospel band Citizen K led to an introduction to Dave Hemingway of the Beautiful South. After working on Hemingway's as yet unreleased solo album, Hemingway promised a recommendation to the Beautiful South's driving force, Paul Heaton, since a new album was in the making, despite the unexpected departure of former band member Jacqui Abbott
. By 2003, with the release of "Gaze", Wheeler was a member of the band, appearing live first at a Carling Homecoming at the Welly Club in Hull on 18 September 2003. Gaze was followed by albums "Goldiggas Headnodders and Pholk Songs" and "Superbi".
She was dubbed Alison 'Lady' Wheeler jokingly by her band mates in The Beautiful South who felt that her demeanour and education at Trinity College, Cambridge
was in contrast to the band's trademark working-class northern image.
She remained busy during her pregnancy in 2005 touring the UK, headlining the acoustic stage at Glastonbury,T in the Park and Oxygene. This was followed by nearly 50 gigs in 2006 including 2 UK tours, the V festival, an Irish tour and an American tour.
The band split in January 2007 due to "musical similarities". She spent some time enjoying motherhood and is now back recording a solo project.
Alison Wheeler is currently in the band "The South" (Formally The New Beautiful South), formed of old members of The Beautiful South (minus ex-lead singer Paul Heaton
). They are currently playing shows in the UK and recording new songs as well as playing old Beautiful South songs.
In 2010 she recorded the track "Move A Little Closer" with Jon Windle formerly of Little Man Tate
for his début solo album Step Out The Man.
The Beautiful South
The Beautiful South were an English alternative rock group formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of Hull group The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. The duo were initially joined by Sean Welch , Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray , all of whom stayed with the group throughout...
from 2003 until they disbanded in 2007.
Wheeler's career in music began at university in a cover band called Melt City, alongside Hal Ritson, now of The Young Punx
The Young Punx
The Young Punx are an English based electronic dance music act whose eclectic and energetic style encompasses french house, breakbeat and drum and bass, mashed up with elements as diverse as 1980s pop music, hard rock, disco and glam rock.-Personnel:...
, Kev Dowd, now of Lowbrow, James Woods, now of Jam Sandwich and Dom Wilhelm, (of 1990s UK pop punk act Satellite Beach). On arriving in London she joined indie band Junk, subsequently renamed Treehouse, well known on the Camden & Islington gig circuit (The Dublin Castle, Bull & Gate, the Laurel Tree, the Hope & Anchor, Islington).
In 1998 Wheeler responded to an audition for a "girl band". Virginia, masterminded by Ian Shaw and then consisting of Louise Miller and Lee Winnick, the latter shortly afterwards replaced by Laura Matthews. Virginia featured repeatedly as guests on BBC Radio, particularly Janice Long
Janice Long
Janice Long is an English radio broadcaster currently working on BBC Radio 2. Her show is on Sunday to Thursday nights from midnight to 02:00. She is the older sister of TV and radio personality Keith Chegwin.-Early career:...
, Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross may refer to:* Jonathan Ross , English television and radio personality* Jonathan Ross , United States Senator, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court* Jonathon Ross , former Australian rules footballer...
, Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Daubeney Brandreth is a British writer, broadcaster and former Conservative Member of Parliament and junior minister.-Early life:...
, Nicky Campbell
Nicky Campbell
Nicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog...
and Ned Sherrin
Ned Sherrin
Edward George "Ned" Sherrin CBE was an English broadcaster, author and stage director. He qualified as a barrister and then worked in independent television before joining the BBC...
, as well as TV appearances in Northern Ireland on the Kelly Show. Tracks from Virginia's first album Firstbite had chart success in the US Billboard charts.
In 2002 her work with London gospel band Citizen K led to an introduction to Dave Hemingway of the Beautiful South. After working on Hemingway's as yet unreleased solo album, Hemingway promised a recommendation to the Beautiful South's driving force, Paul Heaton, since a new album was in the making, despite the unexpected departure of former band member Jacqui Abbott
Jacqui Abbott
Jacqui Abbott Jacqui Abbott Jacqui Abbott (born Jacqueline Abbott, 10 November 1973, St Helens, Lancashire, was the female lead singer with the band The Beautiful South after 1994, following the departure of Briana Corrigan....
. By 2003, with the release of "Gaze", Wheeler was a member of the band, appearing live first at a Carling Homecoming at the Welly Club in Hull on 18 September 2003. Gaze was followed by albums "Goldiggas Headnodders and Pholk Songs" and "Superbi".
She was dubbed Alison 'Lady' Wheeler jokingly by her band mates in The Beautiful South who felt that her demeanour and education at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
was in contrast to the band's trademark working-class northern image.
She remained busy during her pregnancy in 2005 touring the UK, headlining the acoustic stage at Glastonbury,T in the Park and Oxygene. This was followed by nearly 50 gigs in 2006 including 2 UK tours, the V festival, an Irish tour and an American tour.
The band split in January 2007 due to "musical similarities". She spent some time enjoying motherhood and is now back recording a solo project.
Alison Wheeler is currently in the band "The South" (Formally The New Beautiful South), formed of old members of The Beautiful South (minus ex-lead singer Paul Heaton
Paul Heaton
Paul David Heaton is an English singer-songwriter. He was a member of The Housemartins, who disbanded in 1988, and a member of The Beautiful South, who disbanded in 2007. He is currently pursuing a solo career....
). They are currently playing shows in the UK and recording new songs as well as playing old Beautiful South songs.
In 2010 she recorded the track "Move A Little Closer" with Jon Windle formerly of Little Man Tate
Little Man Tate (band)
Little Man Tate were a four-piece indie rock band from Sheffield, England who formed in 2005. They broke up in 2009. The band quickly began attracting interest from several record labels and in March 2006 signed to V2 Records, later parting ways in November 2007...
for his début solo album Step Out The Man.