The Nipple Erectors
Encyclopedia
The Nipple Erectors are an English
punk rock
band
formed in London
in 1976 by female punk artist Shanne Bradley
and are notable as Pogues
frontman Shane MacGowan
's first musical group.
Shane MacGowan
(known at the time as 'Shane O'Hooligan'), bassist
/songwriter/original punk artist Shanne Bradley
, guitarist
/artist Roger Towndrow and drummer
Arcane Vendetta; The Nipple Erectors performed their first gig at The Roxy Club Covent Garden. London in 1977. The band later released four singles
and there was one bootleg
live album
between 1978 and 1981. Initially inspired by The Stooges
, The Nipple Erectors incorporated elements of rockabilly
and '60s garage rock
into their music.
Following the release of their first single, "King of the Bop"/"Nervous Wreck", in June 1978, on Soho Records. The band renamed themselves The Nips and released the garage punk
classic "All The Time in the World"/"Private Eye". By May 1979 the bands line up had changed to include Gavin "Fritz" Douglas, on guitar. The Power pop
anthem, "Gabrielle" was released in November 1979, first on Soho Records, and then reissued on Chiswick Records. with John (Grinny ) Grinton (ex Skrewdriver
) on drums. By the time of its release, Grinny had been replaced by Roger Travis Williams. Gavin Douglas' guitar playing on this record marked a change in the bands sound to a more melodic style.
A live album, Only the End of the Beginning was released on Soho Records in 1980, from a recording made whilst on tour with the Purple Hearts
. Two other live bootlegs have recently appeared, Live at The 101 Club and Live at the Hope and Anchor both recorded in late 1979.
In 1980 The Nips recorded a demo for Polydor Records
at their studio in Bond Street. It was produced by Paul Weller. There were four songs recorded for this session, including "Happy Song" "Nobody to Love", "Ghost Town" and "Love To Make You Cry". The Line up for this recording was, Shane MacGowan-Vocals, Shanne Bradley-Bass, Gavin Douglas-Guitar and Mark Harrison (ex Bernie Tormé
)-Drums. "Happy Song"/"Nobody to Love" was released as a single in October 1981, on Test Pressing Records. The Nips announced to the press that they were quitting after a last gig at London's Covent Garden Rock Garden on March 10, 1980. MacGowan and Bradley did reform the band later that year, albeit briefly. The line up included James Fearnley
on guitar and Jon Moss
on drums. This line up played a final gig at London's Music Machine with The Jam
in December 1980. In 1981 Jon Moss
joined up with Boy George
to form Culture Club
During 1981 Bradley took the band in another direction away from the traditional rock band format to incorporate Greek,Cretan and Irish Roots /Folk music. The popular Irish folk and America folk song "Poor Paddy Works on the Railway
" had previously formed part of their early live set with Guitarist Roger Towndrow. This line up included Macgowan and Bradley plus John Hasler
(ex Madness
) on standup snare drum and Scots/Irish Folk Fiddler David Rattray.Later that year Bradley decided to have a break from music. Shane Macgowan
and John Hasler
went on to play in Pogue Mahone, later shortened to The Pogues
. In 1984 Shanne Bradley
cofounded The Men They Couldn't Hang
to play "The Alternative Country and Western Festival" on March 1984 at The Electric Ballroom
in Camden
, London
In 1987 Big Beat
released a compilation on LP named Bops, Babes, Booze and Bovver which later released on CD as The Nips 'n' Nipple Erectors. It is a collection of both sides of the first three singles by the Nipple Erectors/Nips, as well as adding four outtakes: "So Pissed Off" and "Stavordale Rd, N5" (first issued on LP in 1987), and "Venus in Bovver Boots" and "Fuss & Bother".
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1976 by female punk artist Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley is a punk musician, songwriter, and artist. She founded a punk band The Nipple Erectors in 1976 playing bass guitar with Shane MacGowan on vocals, and cofounded The Men They Couldn't Hang in 1984...
and are notable as Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
frontman Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
's first musical group.
Career
Initially consisting of vocalist/songwriterSongwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
(known at the time as 'Shane O'Hooligan'), bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
/songwriter/original punk artist Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley is a punk musician, songwriter, and artist. She founded a punk band The Nipple Erectors in 1976 playing bass guitar with Shane MacGowan on vocals, and cofounded The Men They Couldn't Hang in 1984...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
/artist Roger Towndrow and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Arcane Vendetta; The Nipple Erectors performed their first gig at The Roxy Club Covent Garden. London in 1977. The band later released four singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
and there was one bootleg
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
between 1978 and 1981. Initially inspired by The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
, The Nipple Erectors incorporated elements of rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
and '60s garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
into their music.
Following the release of their first single, "King of the Bop"/"Nervous Wreck", in June 1978, on Soho Records. The band renamed themselves The Nips and released the garage punk
Garage punk
Garage punk is a fusion of garage rock and punk rock. It is fast-paced lo-fi music characterized by a dirty, choppy guitar sound—usually played by bands who are on independent record labels or who are unsigned...
classic "All The Time in the World"/"Private Eye". By May 1979 the bands line up had changed to include Gavin "Fritz" Douglas, on guitar. The Power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
anthem, "Gabrielle" was released in November 1979, first on Soho Records, and then reissued on Chiswick Records. with John (Grinny ) Grinton (ex Skrewdriver
Skrewdriver
Skrewdriver was an English punk rock band formed by Ian Stuart Donaldson in Poulton-le-Fylde in 1976. They later evolved into one of the first neo-Nazi rock bands, playing a leading role in the Rock Against Communism movement and becoming known as the most prominent white power skinhead...
) on drums. By the time of its release, Grinny had been replaced by Roger Travis Williams. Gavin Douglas' guitar playing on this record marked a change in the bands sound to a more melodic style.
A live album, Only the End of the Beginning was released on Soho Records in 1980, from a recording made whilst on tour with the Purple Hearts
Purple Hearts (UK band)
The Purple Hearts were often considered one of the best English mod revival groups, the NME calling them "one of the few mod bands to actually cut it on rock’n’roll terms”.-Career:...
. Two other live bootlegs have recently appeared, Live at The 101 Club and Live at the Hope and Anchor both recorded in late 1979.
In 1980 The Nips recorded a demo for Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
at their studio in Bond Street. It was produced by Paul Weller. There were four songs recorded for this session, including "Happy Song" "Nobody to Love", "Ghost Town" and "Love To Make You Cry". The Line up for this recording was, Shane MacGowan-Vocals, Shanne Bradley-Bass, Gavin Douglas-Guitar and Mark Harrison (ex Bernie Tormé
Bernie Tormé
Bernie Tormé is a rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, record label and recording studio owner.-Early career:...
)-Drums. "Happy Song"/"Nobody to Love" was released as a single in October 1981, on Test Pressing Records. The Nips announced to the press that they were quitting after a last gig at London's Covent Garden Rock Garden on March 10, 1980. MacGowan and Bradley did reform the band later that year, albeit briefly. The line up included James Fearnley
James Fearnley
James Fearnley is an English musician. He plays accordion in the folk/punk band The Pogues.As a child he was a choir treble, but his voice changed at the age of sixteen. He took piano lessons but did not enjoy it, so he chose to learn the guitar instead...
on guitar and Jon Moss
Jon Moss
Jon Moss is an English drummer best known as a member of the 1980s pop group Culture Club. He has also played with other bands, including London, The Nips and The Damned.-Early life:...
on drums. This line up played a final gig at London's Music Machine with The Jam
The Jam
The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
in December 1980. In 1981 Jon Moss
Jon Moss
Jon Moss is an English drummer best known as a member of the 1980s pop group Culture Club. He has also played with other bands, including London, The Nips and The Damned.-Early life:...
joined up with Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
to form Culture Club
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
During 1981 Bradley took the band in another direction away from the traditional rock band format to incorporate Greek,Cretan and Irish Roots /Folk music. The popular Irish folk and America folk song "Poor Paddy Works on the Railway
Poor Paddy Works on the Railway
"Poor Paddy Works on the Railway" is a popular Irish folk and American folk song. Historically, it was often sung as a sea chanty. The song portrays an Irish worker working on a railroad....
" had previously formed part of their early live set with Guitarist Roger Towndrow. This line up included Macgowan and Bradley plus John Hasler
John Hasler
John Hasler is an English actor notable for his appearance as T-Shirt in the T-Bag series from 1985–1992. Hasler was the only T-Bag character to remain with the series for its whole television airing; starting the show as a young boy and leaving as a teenager.He has also appeared in Renford...
(ex Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
) on standup snare drum and Scots/Irish Folk Fiddler David Rattray.Later that year Bradley decided to have a break from music. Shane Macgowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
and John Hasler
John Hasler
John Hasler is an English actor notable for his appearance as T-Shirt in the T-Bag series from 1985–1992. Hasler was the only T-Bag character to remain with the series for its whole television airing; starting the show as a young boy and leaving as a teenager.He has also appeared in Renford...
went on to play in Pogue Mahone, later shortened to The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
. In 1984 Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley
Shanne Bradley is a punk musician, songwriter, and artist. She founded a punk band The Nipple Erectors in 1976 playing bass guitar with Shane MacGowan on vocals, and cofounded The Men They Couldn't Hang in 1984...
cofounded The Men They Couldn't Hang
The Men They Couldn't Hang
The Men They Couldn't Hang are a British folk punk group. The original group consisted of Stefan Cush , Paul Simmonds , Philip "Swill" Odgers , Jon Odgers and Shanne Bradley .- Controversy and success:Their first single, "The Green Fields...
to play "The Alternative Country and Western Festival" on March 1984 at The Electric Ballroom
Electric Ballroom
The Electric Ballroom is a performance venue and indoor market located at 184 Camden High Street in Camden Town, London . The Electric Ballroom has been in operation for over seventy years, during which time it has been used in many different ways.The two storey building has two dance floors and...
in Camden
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
In 1987 Big Beat
Big Beat Records (Ace subsidiary)
Big Beat Records is a British record label and import distributor owned by Ace Records, specialising in garage rock.-Roster:Releases include:*Big Star*Dean Carter*The Chocolate Watchband*Count Five*The Cramps*The Flaming Stars*Frumious Bandersnatch...
released a compilation on LP named Bops, Babes, Booze and Bovver which later released on CD as The Nips 'n' Nipple Erectors. It is a collection of both sides of the first three singles by the Nipple Erectors/Nips, as well as adding four outtakes: "So Pissed Off" and "Stavordale Rd, N5" (first issued on LP in 1987), and "Venus in Bovver Boots" and "Fuss & Bother".
(2008-) Reformation
On 6 May 2008, The Nipple Erectors reformed, playing a somewhat secret gig at the 100 Club, Oxford Street, London. The line-up consisted of Shanne Bradley, Shane MacGowan, Eric Le Baton, and Fritz Douglas. Shanne's daughter Eucalypta sang backing vocals on the final number 'Gabrielle'.Singles
- "King of the Bop" (1978), Soho - also included on the NME compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, Pogo A Go Go - "All the Time in the World" (1979), Soho
- "Gabrielle" (1980), Soho
- "Happy Song" (1981), Test Press
Albums
- Only the End of the Beginning (1980), Soho - live at Wolverhampton Poly. Purple Hearts tour
- Bops, Babes, Booze and Bovver (1987), Big Beat - posthumous singles compilation
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/thenippleerectors The Official Nipple Erectors myspace
- The Nips: Licensed to Cool - a fan site.
- Nipple Erectors biography at punk77.co.uk.
- They Men They Couldn't Hang official site
- MySpace site The Men They Couldn't Hang