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'''Speedy''' was a five-piece [[Indie Pop]]/[[Britpop]] band from [[Sheffield]], England, whose songs were known for their witty lyrics, often observing the darker and seedier side of working class life; "kitchen sink narratives" in the words of founder and lead singer Philip Watson. Their debut single on a major label ''Boy Wonder'' reached #56 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in late 1996, but further chart success eluded them.
'''Speedy''' was a five-piece [[Indie Pop]]/[[Britpop]] band from [[Sheffield]], England, whose songs were known for their witty lyrics, often observing the darker and seedier side of working class life; "kitchen sink narratives" in the words of founder and lead singer Philip Watson. Their debut single on a major label ''Boy Wonder'' reached #56 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in late 1996, but further chart success eluded them.


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=== Blammo! ===
=== Blammo! ===


Band members Philip Watson (Vocals), Bronwen Stone (Drums), Moony Wainwright (Bass), Paul Turner (Keyboards) and Richard Sutcliffe (Guitar) (who replaced Tracey Plant) had previously performed under the name ''Blammo!'' between 1988 and 1994. In this guise they issued five singles; three on [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]] based label [[Imaginary Records]] who also had [[Cud (band)|Cud]] and [[The Mock Turtles]] on their roster.<ref>{{cite web|title=Discogs|url=http://www.discogs.com/label/Imaginary%20Records|accessdate=8 December 2012}}</ref> The band was invited to support [[The Beautiful South]] on three tours, which allowed them to perform in front of several thousand people at London [[Wembley Arena]].
Band members Philip Watson (Vocals), Bronwen Stone (Drums), Moony Wainwright (Bass), Paul Turner (Keyboards) and Richard Sutcliffe (Guitar) (who replaced Tracey Plant) had previously performed under the name ''Blammo!'' between 1988 and 1994. In this guise they issued five singles; three on [[Heywood, Greater Manchester|Heywood]] based label [[Imaginary Records]] who also had [[Cud (band)|Cud]] and [[The Mock Turtles]] on their roster.<ref>{{cite web |title=Discogs |url=http://www.discogs.com/label/Imaginary%20Records |accessdate=8 December 2012}}</ref> The band was invited to support [[The Beautiful South]] on three tours, which allowed them to perform in front of several thousand people at London [[Wembley Arena]].


=== Speedy ===
=== Speedy ===


Their first performance under the Speedy moniker was at the Spud Club on Sunday 3 April 1994.<ref>Martin Lilleker, Sheffield Telegraph 01/04/1994</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Karl|title=Speedy|url=http://www.karllang.co.uk/karl%20lang%20photography%20speedy.html|publisher=Karl Lang|accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref> The following year, their track ''Sporting Life'' (produced by Danny Shackleton) was included on a limited edition 7" single. The ''Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP'' was released by [[Leadmill]] Records,<ref>{{cite web|title=Saturday Night Special: Silence Is Golden EP|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/lead003|publisher=45cat|accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> which was an imprint of the famous Sheffield venue of the same name. The notes on the back cover commented that The Leadmill had been voted the number one live venue/club in the UK in the 1994 [[Melody Maker]] music poll.
Their first performance under the Speedy moniker was at the Spud Club on Sunday 3 April 1994.<ref>Martin Lilleker, Sheffield Telegraph 01/04/1994</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Karl |title=Speedy |url=http://www.karllang.co.uk/karl%20lang%20photography%20speedy.html |publisher=Karl Lang |accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref> The following year, their track ''Sporting Life'' (produced by Danny Shackleton) was included on a limited edition 7" single. The ''Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP'' was released by [[Leadmill]] Records,<ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night Special: Silence Is Golden EP |url=http://www.45cat.com/record/lead003 |publisher=45cat |accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> which was an imprint of the famous Sheffield venue of the same name. The notes on the back cover commented that The Leadmill had been voted the number one live venue/club in the UK in the 1994 [[Melody Maker]] music poll.


Signed to [[Arista Records]] imprint Boilerhouse!, the band's first 'mainstream' success came in late 1996 with the release of single ''Boy Wonder'', which reached #2 on the Indie Chart. Receiving nationwide airplay on Radio 1, it also entered the official UK Singles Chart at #56 on 9 November 1996, but fell out of the Top 75 after just one week.<ref>{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=David|title=Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 14th Edition|year=2001|publisher=Guinness World Records|isbn=1-904994-00-8|pages=416}}</ref> Boy Wonder also made it onto Polygram’s [[Shine (compilation series)#Shine 7|Shine 7 various artists compilation album]] (Track 16), the Indie equivalent of the [[Now That's What I Call Music!]] series. Television exposure followed, including an appearance on the [[BBC]] Saturday lunchtime sports programme [[Football Focus]].{{fact|date=October 2017}} But, despite this early success, and support from [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] DJ [[Zoë Ball]]{{fact|date=October 2017}} , who secured the band two appearances on the Saturday morning TV show [[Live & Kicking|Live and Kicking]], which she presented with [[Jamie Theakston]], subsequent singles ''Anytime Anyplace Nowhere'', ''Time for You'' and ''Going Home'' failed to chart. Whilst an album was recorded, Speedy and Arista parted company before its release.<ref>{{cite web|title=Publicity poster for ''Time for You'' single (with reference to forthcoming album)|url=http://www.elbondo.com/blammo/images/speedyhandbill.jpg|publisher=Britpop Revival|accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hannam|first=Sean|title=The best Britpop album you never heard|url=http://sayitwithgarageflowers.posterous.com/the-best-britpop-album-youve-never-heard-spee|accessdate=11 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Hopkinson|title=A Speedy Recovery|url=http://britpoprevival.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/a-speedy-recovery.html|publisher=Bripop Revival|accessdate=11 December 2012}}</ref> The band continued to perform live, playing ''Music in the Sun'' in 1997, alongside [[Longpigs]] and [[Babybird]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Lost Sheffield Bands: Speedy (Formerly Blammo!)|url=http://sheffieldblog.com/2008/06/23/forgotten-sheffield-bands-speedy-formerly-blammo/|publisher=Sheffield Blog|accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> but the band members eventually went their separate ways in 1998.
Signed to [[Arista Records]] imprint Boilerhouse!, the band's first 'mainstream' success came in late 1996 with the release of single ''Boy Wonder'', which reached #2 on the Indie Chart. Receiving nationwide airplay on Radio 1, it also entered the official UK Singles Chart at #56 on 9 November 1996, but fell out of the Top 75 after just one week.<ref>{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |title=Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 14th Edition |year=2001 |publisher=Guinness World Records |isbn=1-904994-00-8 |pages=416}}</ref> Boy Wonder also made it onto Polygram’s [[Shine (compilation series)#Shine 7|Shine 7 various artists compilation album]] (Track 16), the Indie equivalent of the [[Now That's What I Call Music!]] series. Television exposure followed, including an appearance on the [[BBC]] Saturday lunchtime sports programme [[Football Focus]].{{fact|date=October 2017}} But, despite this early success, and support from [[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] DJ [[Zoë Ball]]{{fact|date=October 2017}} , who secured the band two appearances on the Saturday morning TV show [[Live & Kicking|Live and Kicking]], which she presented with [[Jamie Theakston]], subsequent singles ''Anytime Anyplace Nowhere'', ''Time for You'' and ''Going Home'' failed to chart. Whilst an album was recorded, Speedy and Arista parted company before its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Publicity poster for ''Time for You'' single (with reference to forthcoming album) |url=http://www.elbondo.com/blammo/images/speedyhandbill.jpg |publisher=Britpop Revival |accessdate=16 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hannam |first=Sean |title=The best Britpop album you never heard |url=http://sayitwithgarageflowers.posterous.com/the-best-britpop-album-youve-never-heard-spee |accessdate=11 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Hopkinson |title=A Speedy Recovery |url=http://britpoprevival.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/a-speedy-recovery.html |publisher=Bripop Revival |accessdate=11 December 2012}}</ref> The band continued to perform live, playing ''Music in the Sun'' in 1997, alongside [[Longpigs]] and [[Babybird]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lost Sheffield Bands: Speedy (Formerly Blammo!) |url=http://sheffieldblog.com/2008/06/23/forgotten-sheffield-bands-speedy-formerly-blammo/ |publisher=Sheffield Blog |accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> but the band members eventually went their separate ways in 1998.


Some 15 years later enterprising former fan and renowned crime writer Nick Quantrill, managed to get hold of the audio files to Speedy's long lost album ''News From Nowhere''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heard Seen Done Been: Speedy Live At The Leadmill 2014|url=http://britpoprevival.blogspot.co.uk/2014_04_01_archive.html|website=Britpop Revival|publisher=Britpop Revival}}</ref> He passed them on to a new blogging site ''Britpop Revival'' and started a chain of events that would culminate in the band's first live shows in over 17 years.
Some 15 years later enterprising former fan and renowned crime writer Nick Quantrill, managed to get hold of the audio files to Speedy's long lost album ''News From Nowhere''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heard Seen Done Been: Speedy Live At The Leadmill 2014 |url=http://britpoprevival.blogspot.co.uk/2014_04_01_archive.html |website=Britpop Revival |publisher=Britpop Revival}}</ref> He passed them on to a new blogging site ''Britpop Revival'' and started a chain of events that would culminate in the band's first live shows in over 17 years.


On 30 November 2012 ''The Britpop Revival Radio Show'' on Phonic FM revealed that the unreleased album would be made available for streaming from Saturday 15 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|first=Nigel|last=Bendle|title=News From Nowhere by Speedy|url=http://postcardcafe.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/news-from-nowhere-by-speedy/|publisher=Postcard Cafe|accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> Then, on 20 January 2013, singer Philip Watson was interviewed on the show and asked what he thought about the album resurfacing after 15 years on the shelf, he said: ''"I'm flattered that people have somehow found, like and now want to share this album. Also slightly embarrassed. But only slightly. It's alright." The music on the album falls somewhere between Pulp and Blur. Big tunes with chirpy choruses coupled with wry observational lyrics addressing love, life on the dole and summer holiday sex; together with darker themes such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and juvenile crime.
On 30 November 2012 ''The Britpop Revival Radio Show'' on Phonic FM revealed that the unreleased album would be made available for streaming from Saturday 15 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nigel |last=Bendle |title=News From Nowhere by Speedy |url=http://postcardcafe.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/news-from-nowhere-by-speedy/ |publisher=Postcard Cafe |accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> Then, on 20 January 2013, singer Philip Watson was interviewed on the show and asked what he thought about the album resurfacing after 15 years on the shelf, he said: ''"I'm flattered that people have somehow found, like and now want to share this album. Also slightly embarrassed. But only slightly. It's alright." The music on the album falls somewhere between Pulp and Blur. Big tunes with chirpy choruses coupled with wry observational lyrics addressing love, life on the dole and summer holiday sex; together with darker themes such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and juvenile crime.


In February 2014 the people behind indie label [[Alcopop! Records]] and the 1p Album Club blog announced the launch of a new venture called The Lost Music Club, to dig out albums that were recorded but never released, and make them available to the public. The first release was to be "from cult 1990s Sheffield band Speedy who, despite scoring a Radio 1 Single Of The Week and gigging relentlessly in the mid-90s, saw their debut album, originally scheduled for a 1997 release, permanently shelved."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cooke|first1=Chris|title=New indie label seeCookeks to release lost albums|url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/new-indie-label-seeks-to-release-lost-albums/|website=Complete Music Update|publisher=3CM Unlimited Group|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref>
In February 2014 the people behind indie label [[Alcopop! Records]] and the 1p Album Club blog announced the launch of a new venture called The Lost Music Club, to dig out albums that were recorded but never released, and make them available to the public. The first release was to be "from cult 1990s Sheffield band Speedy who, despite scoring a Radio 1 Single Of The Week and gigging relentlessly in the mid-90s, saw their debut album, originally scheduled for a 1997 release, permanently shelved."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cooke |first1=Chris |title=New indie label seeCookeks to release lost albums |url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/new-indie-label-seeks-to-release-lost-albums/ |website=Complete Music Update |publisher=3CM Unlimited Group |accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref>


So after a 17-year hiatus the band reformed for two shows in April 2014 to mark the eventual release of their album "News from Nowhere".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Clegg|first1=Richard|title=Speedy make long-awaited return|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/speedy-make-long-awaited-return-1-6538043|website=The Star|publisher=Johnston Press|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref> The shows took place on Friday 4 April 2014 at London Birthdays in Dalston, and on Saturday 5 April 2015 at the band's spiritual home The Leadmill in Sheffield.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Lost Music Club Proudly Present Speedy|url=http://leadmill.co.uk/events/speedy/|website=The Leadmill|publisher=The Leadmill|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref> And with that the band returned to their day jobs.
So after a 17-year hiatus the band reformed for two shows in April 2014 to mark the eventual release of their album "News from Nowhere".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clegg |first1=Richard |title=Speedy make long-awaited return |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/speedy-make-long-awaited-return-1-6538043 |website=The Star |publisher=Johnston Press |accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref> The shows took place on Friday 4 April 2014 at London Birthdays in Dalston, and on Saturday 5 April 2015 at the band's spiritual home The Leadmill in Sheffield.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Lost Music Club Proudly Present Speedy |url=http://leadmill.co.uk/events/speedy/ |website=The Leadmill |publisher=The Leadmill |accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref> And with that the band returned to their day jobs.


The album ''News From Nowhere'' was finally released on Monday 7 April 2015. On the same day, Sarah Lay reviewing the album for Louder Than War, the music website established by award-winning journalist, TV and radio presenter [[John Robb (musician)|John Robb]] concluded: ''A lost classic? Maybe not. But a gem from the analogue age that certainly didn’t deserve to be unheard for so long – well worth a listen for lovers of underdogs or the Britpop sound, for ’90s throwbacks or anyone who just wants to get their ears around some raucous indiepop.''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lay|first1=Sarah|title=Speedy: News from Nowhere – album review|url=http://louderthanwar.com/speedy-news-from-nowhere-album-review/|website=Louder Than War|publisher=John Robb|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref>
The album ''News From Nowhere'' was finally released on Monday 7 April 2015. On the same day, Sarah Lay reviewing the album for Louder Than War, the music website established by award-winning journalist, TV and radio presenter [[John Robb (musician)|John Robb]] concluded: ''A lost classic? Maybe not. But a gem from the analogue age that certainly didn’t deserve to be unheard for so long – well worth a listen for lovers of underdogs or the Britpop sound, for ’90s throwbacks or anyone who just wants to get their ears around some raucous indiepop.''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lay |first1=Sarah |title=Speedy: News from Nowhere – album review |url=http://louderthanwar.com/speedy-news-from-nowhere-album-review/ |website=Louder Than War |publisher=John Robb |accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref>


==== Life After Speedy ====
==== Life After Speedy ====


Singer Philip Watson is an architect and Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds.
Singer Philip Watson is an architect and Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds.


In 2012, drummer Bronwen Stone was running Antics Antiques on Eccleshall Road in Sheffield, with her partner John Pedder a former bassist with fellow Sheffield Indie band [[Babybird]].
In 2012, drummer Bronwen Stone was running Antics Antiques on Eccleshall Road in Sheffield, with her partner John Pedder a former bassist with fellow Sheffield Indie band [[Babybird]].
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A1) Saturday Girl<br />
A1) Saturday Girl<br />
A2) Slippers<br />
A2) Slippers<br />
B1) Cherry Street<br />
B1) Cherry Street<br /><br />
<br />
'''Pills to Purge Melancholy''' (1994) (Fanclub Cassette)<br />
'''Pills to Purge Melancholy''' (1994) (Fanclub Cassette)<br />
A1) News From Nowhere<br />
A1) News From Nowhere<br />
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B2) The Boy Hairdresser<br />
B2) The Boy Hairdresser<br />
B3) What a Carry On<br />
B3) What a Carry On<br />
B4) Almanac of Slack<br />
B4) Almanac of Slack<br /><br />
<br />
'''Anytime, Anyplace ... Nowhere''' (1995) (Fanclub Cassette)<br />
'''Anytime, Anyplace ... Nowhere''' (1995) (Fanclub Cassette)<br />
A1) Sporting Life<br />
A1) Sporting Life<br />
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B1) Speakeasy<br />
B1) Speakeasy<br />
B2) I Like You So Much<br />
B2) I Like You So Much<br />
B3) How Low?<br />
B3) How Low?<br /><br />
'''Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP''' (1995) (Leadmill Records) (Various Artists)<br />
<br />
'''Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP''' (1995) (Leadmill Records) (Various Artists) <br />
7" Vinyl EP (LEAD003)<br />
7" Vinyl EP (LEAD003)<br />
A1) Jet Girl (The Wedding Present)<br />
A1) Jet Girl (The Wedding Present)<br />
A2) The Sporting Life (Speedy)<br />
A2) The Sporting Life (Speedy)<br />
B1) Dolphins (Heights of Abraham)<br />
B1) Dolphins (Heights of Abraham)<br />
B2) All the Time in the World (The Apartments)<br />
B2) All the Time in the World (The Apartments)<br /><br />
<br />
'''Saturday Girl''' (Demo Cassette)<br />
'''Saturday Girl''' (Demo Cassette)<br />
1) Saturday Girl<br />
1) Saturday Girl<br />
2) Slippers<br />
2) Slippers<br /><br />
<br />
'''News From Nowhere''' (Demo Cassette)<br />
'''News From Nowhere''' (Demo Cassette)<br />
1) News From Nowhere<br />
1) News From Nowhere<br />
2) Best Years<br />
2) Best Years<br /><br />
<br />
'''A Day in the Life (of Riley)''' (1996) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
'''A Day in the Life (of Riley)''' (1996) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL1)<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL1)<br />
1) A Day in the Life (of Riley)<br />
1) A Day in the Life (of Riley)<br />
2) How Low?<br />
2) How Low?<br /><br />
<br />
'''Boy Wonder''' (Nov 1996) (Boilerhouse!) UK #56<br />
'''Boy Wonder''' (Nov 1996) (Boilerhouse!) UK #56<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL2V)<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL2V)<br />
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1) Boy Wonder<br />
1) Boy Wonder<br />
2) Shopping Around<br />
2) Shopping Around<br />
3) The Illustrated Man<br />
3) The Illustrated Man<br /><br />
<br />
'''I Like You So Much''' (December 1996) (Fanclub 7" Christmas Single)<br />
'''I Like You So Much''' (December 1996) (Fanclub 7" Christmas Single)<br />
7" Vinyl Single Sided Single (BOIL3VPA)<br />
7" Vinyl Single Sided Single (BOIL3VPA)<br />
1) I Like You So Much (Bedroom Mix)<br />
1) I Like You So Much (Bedroom Mix)<br />
2) Band signatures etched into disc [Unplayable]<br />
2) Band signatures etched into disc [Unplayable]<br /><br />
<br />
'''Anytime Anyplace Nowhere''' (1997) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
'''Anytime Anyplace Nowhere''' (1997) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
CD1 (BOIL3CD1)<br />
CD1 (BOIL3CD1)<br />
Line 104: Line 93:
1) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Commercial Suicide Mix)<br />
1) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Commercial Suicide Mix)<br />
2) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Dub Version)<br />
2) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Dub Version)<br />
3) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Youth Club Version)<br />
3) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Youth Club Version)<br /><br />
<br />
'''Time For You''' (27 May 1997) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
'''Time For You''' (27 May 1997) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL4V)<br />
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL4V)<br />
Line 117: Line 105:
1) Time for You<br />
1) Time for You<br />
2) Nearly Man<br />
2) Nearly Man<br />
3) Going Home (Acoustic)<br />
3) Going Home (Acoustic)<br /><br />
<br />
'''Going Home''' (1998) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
'''Going Home''' (1998) (Boilerhouse!)<br />
CD1 (BOIL5CD1)<br />
CD1 (BOIL5CD1)<br />
1) Going Home <br />
1) Going Home<br />
2) Dead Sheep<br />
2) Dead Sheep<br />
3) Need for Speed<br />
3) Need for Speed<br />
Line 127: Line 114:
1) Going Home<br />
1) Going Home<br />
2) Whole Wide World<br />
2) Whole Wide World<br />
3) Bad Time Girl<br />
3) Bad Time Girl<br /><br />
<br />
'''News From Nowhere''' (7 April 2014) (LOSTMUSICCLUB001)<br />
'''News From Nowhere''' (7 April 2014) (LOSTMUSICCLUB001)<br />
1) Anytime, Anyplace, Nowhere<br />
1) Anytime, Anyplace, Nowhere<br />
Line 135: Line 121:
4) The Sporting Life<br />
4) The Sporting Life<br />
5) Time for You<br />
5) Time for You<br />
6) Going Home <br />
6) Going Home <br />
7) I Like You So Much<br />
7) I Like You So Much<br />
8) Another Day (In the Life of Riley)<br />
8) Another Day (In the Life of Riley)<br />
Line 144: Line 130:


== References ==
== References ==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}



Revision as of 09:54, 29 March 2019

Speedy was a five-piece Indie Pop/Britpop band from Sheffield, England, whose songs were known for their witty lyrics, often observing the darker and seedier side of working class life; "kitchen sink narratives" in the words of founder and lead singer Philip Watson. Their debut single on a major label Boy Wonder reached #56 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1996, but further chart success eluded them.

Career

Blammo!

Band members Philip Watson (Vocals), Bronwen Stone (Drums), Moony Wainwright (Bass), Paul Turner (Keyboards) and Richard Sutcliffe (Guitar) (who replaced Tracey Plant) had previously performed under the name Blammo! between 1988 and 1994. In this guise they issued five singles; three on Heywood based label Imaginary Records who also had Cud and The Mock Turtles on their roster.[1] The band was invited to support The Beautiful South on three tours, which allowed them to perform in front of several thousand people at London Wembley Arena.

Speedy

Their first performance under the Speedy moniker was at the Spud Club on Sunday 3 April 1994.[2][3] The following year, their track Sporting Life (produced by Danny Shackleton) was included on a limited edition 7" single. The Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP was released by Leadmill Records,[4] which was an imprint of the famous Sheffield venue of the same name. The notes on the back cover commented that The Leadmill had been voted the number one live venue/club in the UK in the 1994 Melody Maker music poll.

Signed to Arista Records imprint Boilerhouse!, the band's first 'mainstream' success came in late 1996 with the release of single Boy Wonder, which reached #2 on the Indie Chart. Receiving nationwide airplay on Radio 1, it also entered the official UK Singles Chart at #56 on 9 November 1996, but fell out of the Top 75 after just one week.[5] Boy Wonder also made it onto Polygram’s Shine 7 various artists compilation album (Track 16), the Indie equivalent of the Now That's What I Call Music! series. Television exposure followed, including an appearance on the BBC Saturday lunchtime sports programme Football Focus.[citation needed] But, despite this early success, and support from Radio 1 DJ Zoë Ball[citation needed] , who secured the band two appearances on the Saturday morning TV show Live and Kicking, which she presented with Jamie Theakston, subsequent singles Anytime Anyplace Nowhere, Time for You and Going Home failed to chart. Whilst an album was recorded, Speedy and Arista parted company before its release.[6][7][8] The band continued to perform live, playing Music in the Sun in 1997, alongside Longpigs and Babybird,[9] but the band members eventually went their separate ways in 1998.

Some 15 years later enterprising former fan and renowned crime writer Nick Quantrill, managed to get hold of the audio files to Speedy's long lost album News From Nowhere.[10] He passed them on to a new blogging site Britpop Revival and started a chain of events that would culminate in the band's first live shows in over 17 years.

On 30 November 2012 The Britpop Revival Radio Show on Phonic FM revealed that the unreleased album would be made available for streaming from Saturday 15 December 2012.[11] Then, on 20 January 2013, singer Philip Watson was interviewed on the show and asked what he thought about the album resurfacing after 15 years on the shelf, he said: "I'm flattered that people have somehow found, like and now want to share this album. Also slightly embarrassed. But only slightly. It's alright." The music on the album falls somewhere between Pulp and Blur. Big tunes with chirpy choruses coupled with wry observational lyrics addressing love, life on the dole and summer holiday sex; together with darker themes such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and juvenile crime.

In February 2014 the people behind indie label Alcopop! Records and the 1p Album Club blog announced the launch of a new venture called The Lost Music Club, to dig out albums that were recorded but never released, and make them available to the public. The first release was to be "from cult 1990s Sheffield band Speedy who, despite scoring a Radio 1 Single Of The Week and gigging relentlessly in the mid-90s, saw their debut album, originally scheduled for a 1997 release, permanently shelved."[12]

So after a 17-year hiatus the band reformed for two shows in April 2014 to mark the eventual release of their album "News from Nowhere".[13] The shows took place on Friday 4 April 2014 at London Birthdays in Dalston, and on Saturday 5 April 2015 at the band's spiritual home The Leadmill in Sheffield.[14] And with that the band returned to their day jobs.

The album News From Nowhere was finally released on Monday 7 April 2015. On the same day, Sarah Lay reviewing the album for Louder Than War, the music website established by award-winning journalist, TV and radio presenter John Robb concluded: A lost classic? Maybe not. But a gem from the analogue age that certainly didn’t deserve to be unheard for so long – well worth a listen for lovers of underdogs or the Britpop sound, for ’90s throwbacks or anyone who just wants to get their ears around some raucous indiepop.[15]

Life After Speedy

Singer Philip Watson is an architect and Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds.

In 2012, drummer Bronwen Stone was running Antics Antiques on Eccleshall Road in Sheffield, with her partner John Pedder a former bassist with fellow Sheffield Indie band Babybird.

Discography

Saturday Girl (1994) (Fanclub Cassette)
A1) Saturday Girl
A2) Slippers
B1) Cherry Street

Pills to Purge Melancholy (1994) (Fanclub Cassette)
A1) News From Nowhere
A2) Best Years
A3) There's Always Suicide
A4) Slippers
B1) Saturday Girl
B2) The Boy Hairdresser
B3) What a Carry On
B4) Almanac of Slack

Anytime, Anyplace ... Nowhere (1995) (Fanclub Cassette)
A1) Sporting Life
A2) News from Nowhere
A3) Illustrated Man
B1) Speakeasy
B2) I Like You So Much
B3) How Low?

Saturday Night Special: Silence is Golden EP (1995) (Leadmill Records) (Various Artists)
7" Vinyl EP (LEAD003)
A1) Jet Girl (The Wedding Present)
A2) The Sporting Life (Speedy)
B1) Dolphins (Heights of Abraham)
B2) All the Time in the World (The Apartments)

Saturday Girl (Demo Cassette)
1) Saturday Girl
2) Slippers

News From Nowhere (Demo Cassette)
1) News From Nowhere
2) Best Years

A Day in the Life (of Riley) (1996) (Boilerhouse!)
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL1)
1) A Day in the Life (of Riley)
2) How Low?

Boy Wonder (Nov 1996) (Boilerhouse!) UK #56
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL2V)
1) Boy Wonder
2) Shopping Around
CD Digipack (BOIL2CD)
1) Boy Wonder
2) Shopping Around
3) The Illustrated Man

I Like You So Much (December 1996) (Fanclub 7" Christmas Single)
7" Vinyl Single Sided Single (BOIL3VPA)
1) I Like You So Much (Bedroom Mix)
2) Band signatures etched into disc [Unplayable]

Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (1997) (Boilerhouse!)
CD1 (BOIL3CD1)
1) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere
2) Heard Seen Done Been (Live Version)
3) Sweetalk
4) This is England
CD2 (BOIL3CD2)
1) Heard Seen Done Been
2) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Youth Club Version)
3) Almanac of Slack
4) Boy Wonder (Live Version)
12" Vinyl (BOIL3P1) (European Only Promotional Release)
1) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Commercial Suicide Mix)
2) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Dub Version)
3) Anytime Anyplace Nowhere (Youth Club Version)

Time For You (27 May 1997) (Boilerhouse!)
7" Vinyl Single (BOIL4V)
1) Time for You (radio edit)
2) Where Were You?
CD1 (BOIL4CD1)
1) Time for You (radio edit)
2) Where Were You?
3) Sour 16
CD2 (BOIL4CD2)
1) Time for You
2) Nearly Man
3) Going Home (Acoustic)

Going Home (1998) (Boilerhouse!)
CD1 (BOIL5CD1)
1) Going Home
2) Dead Sheep
3) Need for Speed
CD2 (BOIL5CD2)
1) Going Home
2) Whole Wide World
3) Bad Time Girl

News From Nowhere (7 April 2014) (LOSTMUSICCLUB001)
1) Anytime, Anyplace, Nowhere
2) Boy Wonder
3) Nine O'Clock News
4) The Sporting Life
5) Time for You
6) Going Home
7) I Like You So Much
8) Another Day (In the Life of Riley)
9) Heard, Seen, Done, Been
10) Karaoke King
11) Fisto
12) News From Nowhere

References

  1. ^ "Discogs". Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  2. ^ Martin Lilleker, Sheffield Telegraph 01/04/1994
  3. ^ Lang, Karl. "Speedy". Karl Lang. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Saturday Night Special: Silence Is Golden EP". 45cat. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. ^ Roberts, David (2001). Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 14th Edition. Guinness World Records. p. 416. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.
  6. ^ "Publicity poster for Time for You single (with reference to forthcoming album)". Britpop Revival. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  7. ^ Hannam, Sean. "The best Britpop album you never heard". Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  8. ^ Hopkinson, Nick. "A Speedy Recovery". Bripop Revival. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Lost Sheffield Bands: Speedy (Formerly Blammo!)". Sheffield Blog. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Heard Seen Done Been: Speedy Live At The Leadmill 2014". Britpop Revival. Britpop Revival.
  11. ^ Bendle, Nigel. "News From Nowhere by Speedy". Postcard Cafe. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  12. ^ Cooke, Chris. "New indie label seeCookeks to release lost albums". Complete Music Update. 3CM Unlimited Group. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  13. ^ Clegg, Richard. "Speedy make long-awaited return". The Star. Johnston Press. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  14. ^ "The Lost Music Club Proudly Present Speedy". The Leadmill. The Leadmill. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  15. ^ Lay, Sarah. "Speedy: News from Nowhere – album review". Louder Than War. John Robb. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

External links