Matchbox (band)

Matchbox are an English rockabilly band that formed in 1971, and is still active as of 2019.

Matchbox
OriginMiddlesex
GenresRockabilly
Years active1971–present
LabelsMagnet Records
Websiterockabillyrebel.co.uk
MembersGraham Fenton
Steve Bloomfield
Jimmy Redhead
Gordon Scott
Fred Poke
Past memberssee below

Career

Matchbox were formed in Middlesex, in 1971 by Iain "Houndog" Terry (born 1950), Fred Poke (born 1949), Jimmy Redhead (born 1954) and Wiffle Smith (born 1948). After 1978, the line-up consisted of Graham Fenton (lead vocalist), Steve Bloomfield (lead guitar, vocals), Gordon Scott (rhythm guitar), Fred Poke (bass guitar) and Jimmy Redhead (drums). Redhead had left in 1973, Smith in 1977 and Lupton in 1978 to tour with Chuck Berry. Dick Callan joined Matchbox on guitar, saxophone and violin until approximately 1985, writing many of the band's B-sides. The band appeared in the 1980 film Blue Suede Shoes which detailed the revival of 1950s rock 'n' roll music scene at the time.

The band's biggest hits include "Rockabilly Rebel" (Bloomfield, 1979), "Midnite Dynamos" (Bloomfield, 1980), a cover of The Crickets' "When You Ask About Love" (their only top five hit), and "Over the Rainbow" (adapted musical song, 1980). In Australia, the band and album were dubbed Major Matchbox to prevent confusion with an Australian band of a similar name.[1] Their last single, "I Want Out" (Brian Hodgson/Ray Peters/Tony Colton, 1983) from their album, Crossed Line, was produced together with Kirsty MacColl.

In 1989, Graham Fenton put together a band with Iain Terry, Bob Burgos, Howard Gadd and Greg Gadd. They called themselves Graham Fenton's Matchbox. They recorded six albums in the early 1990s. The most popular Matchbox line-up reformed in 1995. The band have been playing live all over Europe since their comeback, especially in (Germany), France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland and Sweden. On occasions Iain Terry and Dave Dix were used as replacements for Bloomfield and Poke.

They have recorded one album since their full 1995 reunion.

Band members
  • Line-up 1971–1975: Wiffle Smith, Iain "Houndog" Terry, Fred Poke and Jimmy Redhead
  • Line-up 1976–1977: Wiffle Smith, Steve Bloomfield, Fred Poke, Rusty Lupton and Wild Bob Burgos
  • Line-up 1977–1978: Steve Bloomfield, Fred Poke, Bob Burgos, Rusty Lupton and Graham Fenton
  • Line-up 1978–1980: Steve Bloomfield, Fred Poke, Graham Fenton, Gordon Scott and Jimmy Redhead
  • Line-up 1980–1981: Steve Bloomfield, Fred Poke, Graham Fenton, Gordon Scott, Jimmy Redhead and Dick Callan
  • Line-up 1982–1985: Graham Fenton, Dick Callan, Jimmy Redhead, Gordon Scott and Brian Hodgson
  • Line-up 1985–198?: Graham Fenton, Dick Callan, Jimmy Redhead, Brian Hodgson and Gerry Hogan
  • Line-up 1995– : Graham Fenton, Steve Bloomfield, Jimmy Redhead, Gordon Scott and Fred Poke

Partial discography

Albums
  • 1976 – Riders in the Sky [Charley. CR 30157] August 1977.
  • 1978 – Settin' the Woods on Fire [Chiswick Records. WIK 10] 1978.
  • 1979 – Matchbox (aka Rockabilly Rebel) [Magnet. MAGL 5031] November 1979. UK No.44, NZL # 26[2]
  • 1980 – Midnite Dynamos [Magnet. MAGL 5036] September 1980. UK No. 23[2][3]
  • 1981 – Flying Colours [Magnet. MAGL 5042] August 1981.
  • 1982 – Crossed Line [Magnet. MAGL 5052] May 1982.
  • 1985 – Going Down Town [Magnum Force. MFLP - 038] April 1985.
  • 1993 – Rockabilly Rebels-16 Classic Tracks [Magnet. 4509 91882-2] 15th March 1993.
  • 2005 – The Platinum Collection [Warner Platinum. 5101 11832-2] 13th January 2005.
  • 2006 – Comin' Home [Vampirette. VAMPCD107] 12th May 2006.
  • 2010 – Live - Rockin' Bristol in 1978 [Jungle Records. TCB5858CD] 7th December 2010.

Singles
  • "Rock`n`Roll Band" (1975)
  • "Please Don't Touch" (1976)
  • "Only Wanna Rock" (1977)
  • "Rock Rollin`Boogie" (1978)
  • "Black Slacks" (1979)
  • "Rockabilly Rebel" (1979) – UK # 18, AUT # 8, IRL # 21, NZL # 1, SUI # 9, AUS # 12
  • "Buzz Buzz a Diddle It" (1980) – UK # 22, AUT # 17, NED # 6, NZL # 37, South Africa No. 16[4]
  • "Midnite Dynamos" (1980) – UK # 14, AUT # 15, IRL # 9, NED # 3, SUI # 4 AUS # 57
  • "When You Ask About Love" (1980) Cover of The Crickets song – UK # 4, AUT # 16, IRL No. 3, NED # 18 AUS # 55
  • "Over The Rainbow – You Belong to Me (medley)" (1980) – UK # 15, IRL # 23
  • "Back Here in Boston" (1980)
  • "Matchbox" (1980)
  • "Babe's in the Wood" (1981) – UK # 46, NED # 41
  • "Love's Made a Fool of You" (1981) – UK # 63, NED # 40
  • "Angels On Sunday" (1981) – AUS # 86
  • "One More Saturday Night" (1982) – UK # 63
  • "24 Hours" (1982)
  • "Riding The Night" (1982)
  • "I Want Out" (featuring Kirsty MacColl) (1983)[2][5][6]

References
  1. "Rockabilly Originality". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 354–355. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "Matchbox: Matchbox". Irish-charts. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  4. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. "The Irish Charts: All There Is To Know". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  6. "Matchbox: Rockabilly Rebel (Song)". Irish-charts. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
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