The Dandys arrived on "the scene" with "I Wanna Be Like You" in May 1997. Before it was even released they earned themselves a booking at Reading Festival. This single also introduced The Dandys to the public through The Chart Show. At this time they only played to around twenty people in small venues, and still treated them to a "show" ! They supported Kenickie and The Divine Comedy which started off their enthusiastic following.
Because of their performances and crowd reaction by November 1997 most small venues were full, many sold out ! and they were invited to return immedietley, February 1998 tour.
July 1997 saw the release of their second single "Dirty Weekend" which picked up an extra thousand fans. In August 1997 they had their first festival appearance at Reading, on the Dr Martens stage. The front of the packed crowd were even mouthing the words to their songs ! The band reckon this was one of their favourite shows.
In the latter part of 1997 the Dandys spent their time recording their debut album "Symphonic Screams", with Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Terrorvision, Feeder, etc.). It is a highly accomplished album, with potential tracks to reach the top 10. 1997 ended with a show at the Mean Fiddler 15th Aniversary week in front of an audience with the members of The Bluetones, Dub Star, Manic Street Preachers, Dodgy, Edwyn Collins.
They began 1998 with the release of "You Make Me Wanna Scream", which earned them "single of the week" on Virgin Radio and a second performance on the Jack Docherty Show. This dark anthem didn’t endear them to the national music press.
By now their following had greatly increased despite no particular attention. The fans wanted to read about the Dandys.
The English Country Garden Tour started with the Dandys supporting Shed Seven on more dates. Bass player Tony broke his leg in a freak go-carting accident the day before the first gig and arrived at the gig in an ambulance, on crutches ! And that’s how he played the entire tour ! Even still had crutches on 15 May 1998 at Glasgow King Tuts.
thanks for the invite
my original Dandys fan website can be found here http://www.geocities.com/dandysgirl/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/dandysgirl/index2.html
