The Gymslips

The Gymslips
Origin London, England
Genres Punk rock, Post-punk
Years active 19811985
Labels Abstract
Associated acts The Renees
Website http://gymslips.free.fr

The Gymslips were an all-girl band from London, England.

Career

The original band of Suzanne Scott (bassist / vocalist), Paula Richards (guitarist / vocalist) and Karen Yarnell (drummer) got together in 1980 but first played as The Gymslips in August 1981. The band supported the Dolly Mixture on a UK tour. They contributed the song Midnight City all-girl compilation LP, "Making Waves". A tour supporting the Androids of Mu and Rock Goddess followed. In the spring of 1982 they recorded their first of five sessions for John Peel[1] after which they signed to Abstract Records. Their first single "48 Crash" (a cover of the Suzi Quatro hit) was released in November 1982 and the follow-up "Big Sister" was released at the beginning of 1983. April 1983 saw the release of their "Rocking with the Renees" LP which also saw the band expand to a four piece with the addition of keyboardist Kathy Barnes. With two further John Peel sessions, good reviews for the "Robot Man" single and the release of the album in a different sleeve and with the title "Drink Problem" for the American market, The Gymslips' future looked bright. But twelve months of personnel and contractual problems led to Paula having to recruit a new line up and start all over again. With Karen Kay on bass, Sue Vickers on keyboards and Michelle Chowrimootoo on drums The Gymslips recorded their final Peel session in the summer of 1984 before issuing their last single "Evil Eye" (produced by the Angelic Upstarts' Mond Cowie) in early 1985 and then calling it a day soon after its release. Karen Yarnell went onto join Serious Drinking and The Blubbery Hellbellies. Paula Richards joined The Deltones and then Potato 5 before again teaming up with Yarnell in band called The Renees and issuing the LP "Have you got it" as well as contributing the track "He called me a fat pig and walked out on me" to the female only compilation "Postcard from Paradise".

Discography

Singles and EP's

Title Release date Label Catalog No:
"48 Crash/Miss Nunsweeta" 1982 Abstract ABS011
"Big Sister/Yo-yo/Pie'n'Mash" 1983 Abstract ABS014
"Robot Man/Multi Coloured Sugar/Take Away" 1983 Abstract ABS015
"Evil Eye/Wonderland" 1985 Abstract ABS033
"Evil Eye/Wonderland/Don't Lead Me On " 1985 Abstract 12ABS033

Albums

Title Release date Label Catalog No:
"Rocking with the Renees" 1983 Abstract ABT006

References

  1. Ken Garner (1993), In Session Tonight - The Complete Radio One Recordings, London: BBC Books
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, March 18, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.