Russell Webb

Bio:

Award winning* Glasgow born bass player, Russell Webb dropped out of university in early 1977 to join his first group, Slik, a Bay City Roller’s clone. Slik was fronted by Midge Ure. When Ure left in late 1977 to become a Rich Kid along with Glenn Matlock, Russell and the rest of the band, Billy McIssac keyboards and Kenny Hyslop, drums were left in need of a new front man. That person came in the shape of Willy Gardner cousin of Alex Harvey and front man of Hot Valves. Re-naming the band the Zones they forged ahead releasing four singles and an album ‘Under Influence’ to critical acclaim. John Peel was a fan and invited them to play two Peel Sessions. Willy Gardner left suddenly in 1979 and the Zones folded. Russell took himself off to London, where in a stroke of luck he was asked to play bass for the Skids, who were starting to write some tracks for a new album. This session resulted in the wonderful ‘A Woman In Winter’ amongst others. Russell was subsequently asked to join the band full time. The new album ‘The Absolute Game’ was a commercial and critical success. Early copies even had a ‘free’ album called ‘Strength Through Joy’ inside the cover. This album was an experimental album with a feel of David Bowie’s ‘Low’ and ‘Heroes’ albums about it, a far departure from the punk and post punk of earlier albums. Stuart Adamson who along with Bill Simpson formed the Skids, was feeling the need to try new things, a new direction. He left in early 1981 only to re-emerge in 1982 with the mighty Big Country. His departure and the subsequent departure of drummer Mike Baillie left front man Richard Jobson and Russell to soldier on alone. They released another album ‘Joy’ to a stunned reaction from fans and critics alike. ‘What the hell is this’ was the general feeling. ‘Joy’ was a radical change from everything that went before, gone were the soaring guitars and punk feel, and in its place was an almost folk album, with sweeping soundscapes and lyrics of loss and suffering. Russell not only wrote some of the lyrics and most of the music, he also arranged and produced the album, after Mike Oldfield (who they wanted to produce the album) told Russell “that he (Russell) was more than equipped to do the job.” Joy was the last Skids album. Russell and Richard then formed The Armoury Show along with John McGeoch (ex Magazine and Souixie and The Banshees) on guitar and John Doyle (ex Magazine) on drums. The music press hailed them as the “punk super group.” Only one album, ‘Waiting For The Floods’ ever saw the light of day along with numerous singles. Russell had become friends with John McGeoch when the Zones supported Magazine on tour and together worked closely in developing The Armoury Show’s distinctive sound. In 1988 The Armoury Show folded (McGeoch and Doyle had already left). Russell formed two more bands ‘The Ring’ (a 3-piece with John Reynolds on drums and Marty Williamson on guitar) who toured Europe supporting Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads guitarist) and ‘Triple Echo’. In 1992 Russell was invited to play bass for John Lydon’s P.I.L (alongside his friend John McGeoch) on the Americas part of their farewell tour. Russell’s first gig was a baptism of fire, not a small venue gig but The Reading Festival. The tour took them to both South and North America. Russell’s last official gig was in September 1992. Russell has also worked with Pete Townsend, engineering demos. With singer songwriter Virginia Astley as co-writer and producer. Jimmy Pursey on his first solo album after he left Sham 69 and Essential Logic the band formed by Laura Logic of X-Ray Specs. Russell now lives and works in Wells, Somerset, where you can sometimes catch him playing a set in the local bars. In February 2010 with the help and encouragement of his friends he played a stunning set supporting Thunderclap Newman, his first professional gig since the 1992 P.I.L. tour. This has lead to a renewed interest in his music and calls for him to release a solo album. *Nordorff Robbins Life Time Achievement Award (the Skids) © Wayne Sadlier 2010

Member Since:

April 21, 2009