The Apollinaires

The Apollinaires
Also known as The Volkswagens
Origin Leicester
Genres funk, 2 Tone
Years active 1981-1983
Labels 2 Tone Records
Associated acts I Y A Volkswagens, The Swinging Laurels
Past members Paul Tickle, Tom Brown, Francis Brown, Kraig Thornber, James Hunt, Simon Kirk, Peter Millen, Laurence Wood, Paul Hood, Chris Freestone, Stephen Leonard-Williams

The Apollinaires were a British 2 Tone/post-punk group from Leicester, England, signed to 2 Tone Records.[1]

History

The band formed in Leicester as a six-piece, composed of musicians from various local bands and students from the Leicester School of Art.[1] Four members of the band had previously been in an industrial band named I Y A Volkswagens, which had released one single on Rough Trade Records called "Kill Myself".[2] After the demise of that band they reformed as The Volkswagens, and as their sound moved from post-punk to a more dance sound, they worked with members of another Leicester band called The Swinging Laurels as their horn section.[1]

In 1982 the band signed to Coventry's 2 Tone Records and changed their name to The Apollinaires, expanding to a ten-piece at the same time with the addition an in-house horn section.[1][2] They recorded their first single, "The Feeling's Gone" with Jerry Dammers,[1] featuring vocals from Rhoda Dakar of The Bodysnatchers.[2]

After this the band toured extensively in the UK with bands including The Higsons and The Beat, and also played concerts in France, recorded BBC Radio 1 sessions for John Peel and Kid Jensen, and released a second single entitled "Envy the Love".[1] Their TV appearances included Channel 4's The Switch.[1] They also released a third single in 1983 on a small Birmingham independent label entitled "Put People First".[1] Eventually, however, the band split up due to the difficulties of co-ordinating their large number of members.[1]

Personnel

  • Paul Tickle, Vocals
  • Tom Brown, guitar
  • Francis Brown, Guitar (died 17 March 2010)[3]
  • Kraig Thornber, Drums
  • James Hunt, Bass
  • Simon Kirk, Percussion
  • Peter Millen, Alto Sax. Millen went on to run a design business in New York City.[1]
  • Laurence Wood, Tenor Sax
  • Paul Hood, Trombone
  • Chris Freestone, Trumpet
  • Stephen Leonard-Williams, Flute

Singles

  • "The Feeling's Gone" (2 Tone Records, 1982, produced by Jerry Dammers)[2]
  • "Envy the Love" (2 Tone Records, 1982, produced by Warne Livesey)[2]
  • "Put People First/Theme from Put People First" (B.F.W. / T.U.R.C., 1983, produced by Jo King)[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The Apollinaires". 2 Tone Records. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Thrills, Adrian (11 December 1982). "Black and White Reunite". New Musical Express. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Francis Brown of the Apollinaires". Google Groups - 2-tone forum. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
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