Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, The Louvin Brothers, The Everly Brothers, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, Gillian Welch, Roy Orbison, Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, The Shangri-Las, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Donovan, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zeppelin, Free, Velvet Underground, Nico, The Doors, The Stooges, Mott the Hoople, Big Star, The New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Television, The Ramones, The Runaways, The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman, The Heartbreakers, Johnny Thunders, The Clash, The Only Ones, John Cale, Lou Reed, Suicide, Marianne Faithfull, Sandy Posey, Christy Moore
Formed from the remnants of Glasgow punk band, Fun 4, James King and the Lonewolves achieved notoriety if not commercial success. Drummers came and went but the core of the band remained, James King-guitar/vocals, Jake Mason-guitar and Colin McNeil-bass guitar.
That the band survived from 1981-85 was a source of astonishment among their peers. Alcoholism, drug abuse and violence were much associated with the band. A journalist at the time remarked that 'James carried around a self-destruct button which he used whenever there seemed to be a chance of commercial success...'
On the surface, the band appeared to be nothing more than run-of-the-mill headcases from the Glasgow housing schemes. While not denying there was an element of truth in this, the band were far more than this. They wrote and played some of the most painful, tender and spiritual songs of the '80's.
The likes of Sacred Heart, The Angels Know, Lost et al. stand as testament to this. Their live version of Nico's Afraid further demonstrated an unexpected sensitivity. Ex-Velvet Underground legend, John Cale worked briefly with the band and felt that their songs conveyed a mood of vulnerability.
In a decade characterised by banal superficiality, The Lonewolves truly were outsiders and damn proud of being so. Mavericks would be the collective description that the band felt most comfortable with.
The band recorded for Cuba Libre, Thrush and Swamplands records but never seemed to be able to capture the excitement of their live shows. Most of their best material was either never recorded or released. Fittingly, the band split up at a gig in their home city on 20th June 1985.
The document that probably best represents the mood of the band at that period is a video recording of a show in London. Shot at The Electric Ballroom in Camden, it shows the band as they're falling apart. Barely speaking to each other, dropped by their label, it's evident that the band are totally pissed off with their lot.
After the split James formed Fun Patrol with Joe Sullivan -guitar, Ian Reid-guitar, harp and Stevie Gray-drums. They recorded a 12-inch single for Thrush. Right to be Wrong/No Concern of Mine/Meant to Fall. Although little known, it is up there with his best work.
Jake, Colin and Mick went on to form the Fighting Fifty First with Jim Crichton from the Shakin' Pyramids. Although having a substantial following in their home town, no product was released and the band quickly split up.
Jake and Mick went on to found Carlton recording/rehearsal studios which Jake still has an interest in.
Colin briefly resurfaced in 2000 and just as quickly submerged. If you're out there, give us a shout...
Bob McQuade was elected to Livingston Town Council in 1998. He has no plans to return to the music business...
See Her Cry A Step Away From Home
James King and the Lonewolves's Friend Space (Top 20)
Hi there James, hope all's good in yer world and yer keepin' healthy in these hog disease ridden times (I'm not guilty yer honour). New PIG EP and vidage uploaded, THE DREAM MAN, a slice of sick-oh-dole-ache punk blues. Drop by the STY for a listen. PIG, X ;@)
Four more little sonic gems for your August pleasure are now available on the site. Blitzen Trapper, Boulder Acoustic Society, Jay Brannan and The Wiyos. Yet another fine quartet even though we say so ourselves as picked them out.
Hi there James, hope all's well in yer world and yer mind. Just droppin' by tae let ye know about the new STY at www.alienpig.co.uk It would be nice if ye could drop by and have a wee snuffle about. Stay forever free with love and good vibes from the STY. PIG X ;@)
cheers...no need for any flowery shit..you already know how good you were....i have the camden videotape..but would love a cd...lost my vinyl so many years ago...along with the recording i made of fun patrol at the ica....sadly..
Hi there James, nice tae greet ye, diggin' the excellent tuneage on yer page, treble braw indeed. Saw you guys playin' a few times, good nights and good times. I don't know if ye remember usin' Satellite studios at Charing X, I was the guy that ran the studios, wasn't very succesful due tae my lifestyle on the tiles. Good tae see and hear ye again doon the wires. Tanx fur visitin' the STY, hope ye enjoyed my skanky psych sounds. Good tae have ye aboard the good ship Hogbelly. Anarchy, peace, freedom and love. Check out Alienpig records at www. esnips. com/user/alienpig for free downloads (including Pig back catalogue) and also myspace. com/alienpigrecords. ALIENPIG RECORDS is a free mp3 label featuring various unsigned, underground and unheard of bands and projects from the Glasgow area and beyond (1974 - ????).
DUB, PUNK, PSYCHEDELIC, INDUSTRIAL, REGGAE, GOTH, AMBIENT, MOD, EXPERIMENTAL, BLUES, GARAGE, ACID, HIP-HOP, TRIP-HOP, BLIP-BOP, FLIP-FLOP, TECHNO, LO-FI, NO-FI, NO-GO-FI, NO CATEGORIES, ROCK'N'ROLL. Stay free with love from PIG. X:@) WEBSITE - www. members. lycos. co. uk/alienpig
Yes, it's that time of the month again when your listening pleasure can be enhanced by heading off to the AUK Myspace site where you will find folk whimsy from The Travelling Band, poignant thoughfulness from Waylon Jennings, The Butless Chaps (don't you just want to know what they sound like?) and the sweetly swinging (and singing) Tish Hinojosa.
New tracks are up on the website for your listening pleasure. We have the hopefully appropriately titled “Sunshine” from Grantura, a track from the new Catie Curtis album, 166 seconds of cosmic pop from Daniel Wylie and, lest you think we’ve gone all soppy on you, “Head Full Of War from Jackie Leven.
Don’t forget The Electric Dustbowl at the Musician in Leicester on 20 September: £8 in advance buys you Peter Bruntnell, the Redlands Palomino Company, Thomas Denver Jonsson, The Havenots and Jim Jones. Gig of the year!
Online Now!
