1980: Paul Simpson-vocals, Jerry Kelly-guitar, Ged Quinn-keyboards, Jim Weston-bass/Justin Stavely-drums. 1981: Paul Simpson-vocals, Jerry Kelly-guitar, Ged Quinn-keyboards, Rolo McGuinty/Phil Lucking-bass, Alan Wills-drums.
1985-87: Paul Simpson-vocals, Jerry Kelly-guitar, Ged Quinn/Joseph Fearon-bass, Alan Wills-drums.
1988-90: Paul Simpson-vocals, Joseph Fearon-bass (plus guest musicians)
2007-Present- Paul Simpson-vocals/bass, Ged Quinn-keyboards, Mike Mooney-guitar, Ricky Rene Maime-bass/electric 12 string guitar, drums Steve Beswick.
Where Are They Now?
Original Swans drummer Justin Stavely ran a vintage clothing shop in London’s Covent Garden for several years before relocating to Australia.
Original Swans bassist Jim Weston died in 1984 as a result of being hit by a speeding motorcycle at Marble Arch in London.
Gerard Quinn's paintings are in prestigious private art collections all over the world. Ged lives quietly on his farm in Cornwall but has been coaxed away from his rural idyll to play piano once more for The Wild Swans.
Jeremy (Jem) Kelly lives and works in Hove. He is a lecturer in theatre studies and continues to make music with Peter Coyle under the name The Lotus Eaters.
The Wild Swan’s drummer Alan Wills is now managing director of Liverpool’s Deltasonic Records, home to Candie Payne, The Rascals, The Coral and The Zutons.
Bass player Joe Fearon works as in-house record producer for Deltasonic.
Rolo McGinty – bass player on The Revolutionary Spirit is once more gigging and making records with his band The Woodentops.
Mystery man musician Phil Lucking surfaces in Liverpool from time to time but no one really seems to know where he goes or what he does.
Paul Simpson, one of the most gifted and underrated artists of the Liverpool
Scene, began his musical career alongside Julian Cope in The Teardrop Explodes, providing the band with their name and sharing writing credits on
their first two singles.
He formed The Wild Swans in 1980, first recruiting James Weston (bass) and Justin Stavely (drums) ex-Teardrop Ged Quinn (keyboards) and ex-Systems Jerry Kelly (guitar). A year later, with Rolo McGinty now guesting on bass and Bunnyman Pete DeFreitas replacing Stavely on drums, they released the classic single The Revolutionary Spirit on Liverpool's Zoo label. When the song was included on the CD retrospective of the label's output, Bill Drummond singled it out as the best track Zoo ever produced (Drummond later went on to form The KLF).
The original Wild Swans recorded two sessions for the BBC, including one of those chosen by John Peel to begin the Strange Fruit releases several years later, and did a few live shows which included supporting The Teardrop Explodes during the infamous "Club Zoo" in Liverpool during March 1981. This was immediately followed by a full UK tour supporting Echo and The Bunnymen.
The band split in 1982 but reformed in 1986 with new member Joseph Fearon on bass. The group recorded a new Radio 1 session for long-time supporter Janice Long before signing a 2 album deal with Seymour Stein's legendary Sire Records. The first album, "Bringing Home The Ashes", was recorded in 1987 and, after Kelly's departure, Simpson and Fearon recorded "Space Flower" in 1989.
The early Zoo and BBC material was issued on Renascent Records' 2003 release "Incandescent" and the 2 Sire albums are now available on Korova/Rhino Records in a 2CD set under the title of "Magnitude".
In the summer of 2007 Paul began writing and demoing a new Wild Swans album. For news regarding the album title, track listing, band line-up and record label watch this space. The Wild Swans have also been booked to record a new BBC session for summer 2008.
ENGLISH ELECTRIC LIGHTNING As the only constant in the long and turbulent history of The Wild Swans, I feel compelled to clarify my intentions regarding the newest incarnation of the group. This unhappy band has been unfinished business for me for over 20 years, haunting my days and nights, obsessing my thoughts at the expense of my health and sanity. I never got over the sudden implosion of the first incarnation, and was left devastated by the crash and burn of the second. In returning from the ambient wilderness I am not trying to recreate the unique sound of any of the former members, how could I? It is the original spirit of the group I am after, the original blueprint for an English electric brotherhood. I formed and named the band shortly after leaving The Teardrop Explodes back in 1980, individually recruiting the members and establishing both the look and the compass direction. I lived and breathed The Wild Swans Mk.1 and was traumatised to see it seized and taken from me so this shouldn’t be viewed as a reformation or even an exorcism, it is a continuum; different but the same. Wish us luck. Love to all members of the Wild Swans past and present.
This comes out on the second of april for £10.99!
Disc 1 Bringing Home The Ashes
1. Young Manhood
2. Bible Dreams
3. Bitterness
4. Archangels
5. Northern England
6. Whirlpool Heart
7. Bringing Home The Ashes
8. Mythical Beast
9. Now And Forever
10. The Worst Year Of My Life
11. Holy Holy (Bonus Tracks)
12. The World Of Milk And Blood (Bonus Tracks)
13. (Bonus Tracks)
14. Pure Evil (Bonus Tracks)
Disc 2 Space Flower
1. Melting Blue Delicious
2. Butterfly Girl
3. Tangerine Temple
4. Immaculate
5. Space Flower
6. Tastes Like Tuesday
7. Chocolate Bubblegum
8. I'm A Lighthouse
9. Magic Hotel
10. Vanilla Melange
11. Sea Of Tranquillity
12. Melting Blue Delicious (Bill Drummond Single Version)
13. Sugar Engines (Pre-Space Flower demos)
14. Chocolate Bubblegum
15. Lantern Man
16. Magic Hotel
17. Telescope
ello there....
thanks soo much for joining me friends list....ur music is just amazing and it's an honor too have ya as one of me friends.....ur going right too me favorites list and top 24 friends....continued success....
ALL THE BEST....
TIMIN....
Thanks for the add. I fell in love with your music when I heard "Bible Dreams" on a compilation disc. So glad to hear more! Come and check out our music sometime.
i just love your MUSIC - it seems like the first time i heard it everytime i listen (even if its the hundreth time).
Thanks the add...
Hail "The WIld Swans".
