Fat Tulips

The Fat Tulips were formed in the late 1980s in Peterborough by Mark D. Their first release was a flexi disc called You Opened Up My Eyes and featured Sarah C. on vocals. Sarah quickly left the band.

Mark then recruited new members consisting of Katie Keen on vocals, cat lover Paul Huckerby on bass, Shelagh Clarkson on guitar and Matthew Johnson on drums.

Soon after the release of their single "Where's Clare Grogan Now" (played by John Peel), Katie left the band and Sheggi became the new singer.

Subsequent releases, including the EP Four Songs for Simon, Ferensway and The Tulip Explodes, led to a multi-pound recording contract with the London based Vinyl Japan label, home and future home of BMX Bandits, the McCluskey Bros, and Thee Headcoats.

The first of their Vinyl Japan output was an EP entitled Nostalgia and was recorded by Ken McPherson at his studio in Burton upon Trent. A tour of Germany supporting Throw That Beat in the Garbagecan soon followed. The band's debut album, Starfish, also recorded by Ken McPherson, came out in 1994 and was followed by two more singles, "New Spring Rites for Sarah" and "Driving Me Wild" before the band called it a day.

The Heaven Records record label was started by the Fat Tulips in 1989 to release their own debut 7" single "Where's Clare Grogan Now?", the band's homage to the singer in Altered Images.

The label is co-owned by guitarist / songwriter Mark D of the Fat Tulips, Confetti and Fat Tulips drummer Matthew Johnson. Heaven is based in Burton Joyce, Nottingham. The label went on to release 7" singles by other bands including The Melons, Vicarage Garden, Confetti, Strawberry Story, Throw That Beat in the Garbage Can, The Golden Dawn, Velocity Girl, Unisex, The Rosehips, and Girl of the World.

• Mark D
• Confetti

• Fat Tulips website
• Fat Tulips label
• Paintings by Mark D.
• Fat Tulips Myspace page
• Fat Tulips discography at MusicBrainz