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Doctor and the Medics

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Doctor and the Medics
Doctor and the Medics in 1986
Doctor and the Medics in 1986
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1981–present
Labels
MembersThe Doctor
Adrian Hill
Dan Angelow
John Randle
Melissa
Past membersSteve McGuire
Richard Searle
Andrew McLachlan
Steve "Vom" Ritchie
Wendi Anadin
Colette Anadin
Andy Higgins
Carl Axon
James Hartley
Websitewww.doctorandthemedics.com

Doctor and the Medics are an English glam rock band formed in London in 1981.[1] The group received their great success during the 1980s and are best known for their cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky", the group's hit single which reached No. 1 in the UK singles charts.[2] The band currently performs, with a different line-up, as a tribute act to various artists. The group's musical style includes neo-psychedelia, glam rock, new wave and pop rock.[3][4][5][6]

Career

The Doctor (Clive Jackson, born 7 July 1961 in Knotty Ash, Liverpool),[7] a former London-based DJ, formed the group with guitarist Steve McGuire, drummer Vom (aka Steve Ritchie), and bassist Richard Searle and female dancers and singers The Anadin Brothers in 1981.[1] The group adopted a look inspired by both 1960s psychedelia and kabuki make-up similar to that of Kiss.

Their first single was "The Druids Are Here" which was released on Whaam Records in 1982.[8] They released no further records until 1985, although a four track EP recorded live at Alice in Wonderland, a Soho nightclub where The Doctor was house DJ, was available direct from the band. The band's female backing singers were known collectively as The Anadin Brothers.[8] Originally there were three Anadin Brothers, but this was soon whittled down to Wendi West and Colette Appleby.

Melissa Weekes and The Doctor performing in June 2014. Photo by Andrew D. Hurley

In 1985, they signed to IRS Records and released "Happy but Twisted", a five track 12" EP including a cover of Hawkwind's "Silver Machine".[9] This reached number 2 on the indie charts.[10] This was followed by "The Miracle of the Age", produced by Andy Partridge of XTC.[11] Around this time the band performed a concert in a television studio in Limehouse, London which was recorded for television broadcast, although it was not shown at the time. At this concert the line-up was augmented by Roman Jugg of The Damned on keyboards and second guitar.

They scored an international hit in 1986 with their next single, a cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky". The single reached number one in the UK.[12] They fared less well with subsequent singles; "Burn" and "Waterloo" (the latter of which was a cover of the ABBA hit, with Roy Wood on saxophone, backing vocals and in the video). "Burn" reached No. 29 in the UK Singles Chart and "Waterloo" peaked at No. 45.[8]

The band released their final studio album Instant Heaven, in 1996 on their own 'Madman' record label.[1]

In the early 2000s, the band's current line-up appeared on retro-themed British TV shows such as ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More Time, and a Top of the Pops Christmas special celebrating 50 years of the UK Singles Chart. In June 2006, the band appeared on Channel 4's Bring Back One Hit Wonders with a new line-up.[13] Around this time they released an EP called Timewarped.[14] They continue to perform live.[7]

Personnel

1981 line-up

  • The Doctor (vocals)
  • Steve McGuire (guitar)
  • Richard Searle (bass)
  • Andrew McLachlan (drums)

1986 line-up

  • The Doctor (vocals)
  • Steve McGuire (guitar)
  • Richard Searle (bass)
  • Steve "Vom" Ritchie (drums)
  • Wendi Anadin (vocals)
  • Colette Anadin (vocals)
  • Andy Higgins (chief Badger)
  • Richard Searle left in 1990 shortly after Vom Ritchie departed. Gareth Thomas replaced Searle in 1990. Searle went on to form the acid jazz band Corduroy, with former members of Sire Records act Boys Wonder.
  • Since leaving the Medics, drummer Ritchie has played with Last of the Teenage Idols, Stiv Bators, B-Bang Cider, The Boys, Wet Dog and now plays with Die Toten Hosen.

2003 reunion line-up

  • The Doctor (vocals)
  • Adrian Hill (drums)
  • Carl Axon (The Big Bopper) (lead guitar, backing vocals)
  • James Hartley (guitar)
  • Jon Randle (bass)
  • Melissa Weekes (backing vocals)
  • Colette Anadin (backing vocals)
  • Carl Axon left to pursue business interests.
  • Paul Nevin (performance artist)

Current line-up

  • The Doctor (vocals)
  • Adrian Hill (drums)
  • Dan Angelow (guitar)
  • Jon Randle (bass)
  • Melissa Weekes (backing vocals)
  • Paul Nevin (performance artist)

Discography

Albums

7 " Singles

  • "The Druids Are Here" / "The Goats Are Trying To Kill Me " - Whaam6 (1982) Whaam
  • "The Miracle of the Age" / "I Don't Want To Be Alone With You Tonight" - IRM106 (1985) IRS
  • "Burn" / "Captain Frazer" - IRM119 (1986) IRS (UK No. 29) [12]
  • "Waterloo" / "Damaged Brains" IRM125 (1986) IRS (UK No. 45) – Doctor and the Medics featuring Roy Wood [12]
  • "More" / "Bad Men's Pennies" - IRM139 (1987) IRS
  • "Burning Love" / "Waterloo" - IRS53129 (1987) IRS ( U.S.Issue )
  • "Drive, He Said" / "Ride The Beetle ( Live )" - IRM154 (1988) IRS
  • "Hi Ho Silver Lining ( Prescription Mix)" / "Black & Blue" - OTW1 (1990) Off The Wall Records
  • "Black & Blue" (1991) Plastic Surgery[15]
  • Timewarped (2006) – six track covers EP
  • "You Spin Me Round ( Like A Record )" (2015)

12" Singles

  • "The Miracle of The Age" / "I Don't Want To Be Alone With You Tonight ( Bedtime Mix )" / "Secrets of a Baby's Mind" - IRT106 (1985) IRS
  • "Spirit In The Sky" / "Laughing At The Pieces ( Studio Version )" / "Love , Peace , And Bananas ( Live )" / "Happy But Twisted ( Live )" / "Fried Egg Bad Monday ( Live )" / "Good Golly Miss Molly ( Live )" - IRMT113 (1986) IRS
  • "Burn" / "Captain Frazer" / "Love , Peace , And Bananas ( Studio Version )" / "Paranoid ( Live )" - IRMT119 (1986) IRS
  • "Waterloo" / "Stare Crazy" / "Damaged Brains" / "Nothing" - IRMT125 (1986) IRS
  • "More" / "More Again" / "Bad Men's Pennies" / "Pretty Little Henry" - IRMT139 (1987) IRS
  • "Drive He Said…( Extended Mix )" / "Medics Megahits Megamix" / "Drive He Said…" / "Ride The Beetle ( Live )" - IRMT154 (1988) IRS
  • "Hi Ho Silver Lining ( Pre-Med Mix )" / "Hi Ho Silver Lining ( Prescription Mix )"/"Black And Blue" - OTWT1 (1990) Off The Wall Records

EPs

  • Happy But Twisted EP - MedicsT1 (1985) Illegal (UK Indie No. 2)

( Happy Side:"Happy But Twisted"/"Round And Round"/"Auntie Evil's Dormitory" ) ( Twisted Side:"Mole Catcher" / "Silver Machine" )

  • "Two Pieces of Cloth Carefully Stitched Together" - MedicsT2 (1987) Illegal (UK Indie No. 34)

( Before Side: "Sound of Chains" / "Perfect World" ) ( After Side: "Silver King" / "Age of Gold" )

Others

  • "Phantasmagoria" ( album ) - The Damned (1985) MCA Records

( Features the song / single "Grimly Fiendish" co-written with The Doctor. )

  • "Live At The Alice & Wonderland : A Pretty Smart Way To Catch A Lobster" - (1986) Flicknife Records ( Re-Issued by Madman for CD ).

( Features the band as "Gwyllym & The Raspberry Flavoured Cat" performing, "These Boots Are Made For Walking ( Live )" & "Gloria ( Live )" , and some DJ links by The Doctor. )

  • "Let It Be" / "Let It Be ( The Gospel Jam Mix )" - Ferry Aid - AID1 (1987) The Sun

( 12" version: "Let It Be" / "Let It Be ( Mega Message Mix )" contains a message from The Doctor and the Anadin Brothers. )

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Sutton, Michael. "Doctor & The Medics Biography". allmusic.com. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 26 March 2008. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  2. ^ "All The Number 1 Singles". Official Charts Company. 30 January 2015.
  3. ^ Doctor & the Medics at AllMusic
  4. ^ Romanowski, Patricia (1995). The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Fireside. p. xix (19). ISBN 978-0684810447.
  5. ^ Abrahams, Ian (2004). Hawkwind: Sonic Assassins. SAF Publishing Ltd. p. 168. ISBN 978-0946719693.
  6. ^ Colin Larkin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music. Virgin. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7535-0159-7.
  7. ^ a b "How the lead singer of Doctor and the Medics became a pillar of a small Welsh community". walesonline. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  9. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – Happy But Twisted (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  10. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
  11. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – The Miracle of the Age (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  13. ^ "Doctor And The Medics Spirit In The Sky". www.stagedoorentertainments.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Timewarped – Doctor and the Medics". doctorandthemedics.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Doctor & The Medics Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
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