Snuff (band)

For the country rock band active in the early 1980s, see Snuff (country rock band)

Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986.^[1] Their name reportedly came about after a long discussion about names ended up with one of them claiming "That's Enough", which was then shortened to Snuff. The original line-up was Duncan Redmonds on drums and vocals, Simon Wells on guitar and vocals and Andy Crighton on bass, with Dave Redmonds being added to the line-up on trombone before the release of Flibbiddydibbiddydob.

Snuff have released their material through a variety of independent record labels including their own, 10past12records, as well as on Fat Wreck Chords a label owned by Fat Mike of NOFX.

History

The band signed to the Workers Playtime label and their first release was the Not Listening Anymore EP, which received regular airplay from BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel, and reached number nine in the UK Independent Chart.^[2] Their first album was named Snuff Said, but the full album name was Snuffsaidbutgorblimeyguvstonemeifhedidn'tthrowawobblerchachachachachachachachachachachayou'regoinghomeinacosmicambience, which started their habit of playing on their supposed Cockney roots. The album peaked at number three on the UK Indie Chart.^[2]

Following up from their first album was the 'mini-album' Flibbiddydibbiddydob, featuring mainly cover versions and TV commercial jingles reworked by the band. The release was the subject of a disagreement with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI); Snuff maintained it was an EP - and as such should be eligible for the UK Singles Chart - but the BPI insisted on classifying it as an album because of the large number of tracks.

In 1991, Snuff split up.^[1] During this period all three members applied to be the bassist for Leatherface. The break-up also spawned Guns n' Wankers and Your Mum.

1994 saw a new Snuff appear. The line-up now included Hammond and trombone players, helping to define Snuff's new sound. Simon Wells had by this point left the band, and had been replaced by Loz Wong who had performed as part of Your Mum, and Andy Crighton was replaced by Lee Erinmez (née Batsford) on bass, with Duncan's brother Dave added on trombone. They soon released a Christmas single, the theme to "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?".^[1] Steve Lamacq has also featured Snuff on his radio show. Simon Wells has since formed the band, Southport, and has played occasionally with Duncan under the name Footballer's Wives. Since the release of "Blue Gravy", Paul Thompson has also guested on guitar and vocals.

In 2005, Snuff released a greatest hits double album. Also in 2005, Duncan Redmonds released a self-titled solo project CD Billy No Mates, and at live shows his solo material is combined with some Snuff and Guns n' Wankers songs. Billy No Mates have two touring bands, one in Japan and one in the UK, and Redmonds has recorded different EP's with each band.

2006 saw a new band called Pot Kettle Black formed. This featured Redmonds on drums, Wells on guitar, and Wes Wasley completing the trio on bass. The line up played a mixture of old Snuff songs (generally up until Demmamussabebonk), and new material in the same vein. The project was pronounced 'dead' by Redmonds on the 10 Past 12 Records website guestbook in August 2007. Since then, Redmonds has played a series of gigs in Japan with Duncan's Divas, and embarked on solo acoustic gigs in the UK.

In 2008, a brief tour of Japan was announced, featuring gigs in Tokyo.^[3] Following this, the band continued to gig in 2009, supporting NOFX in Birmingham and London on their UK tour, and announcing that they will play both the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

The current line-up of the band is Duncan Redmonds on drums/vocals, Loz Wong on guitar, Lee Erinmez on bass, Oliver Stewart on trombone and Lee 'The Mod' Murphy on Hammond Organ and Guitar.

Bubble and Squeak

In 2009, Duncan Redmonds released Bubble and Squeak.^[4] The album featured collaborations with numerous members of the punk fraternity, including Fat Mike from NOFX, Frankie Stubbs from Leatherface and Ken Yokoyama from the Japanese punk band Hi-Standard, as well as former and current members of Snuff, Billy No Mates and Pot Kettle Black. Notably, the album also included a new track recorded by Guns N Wankers, the first since bassist Jools Parkin suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Don't Wake Up The Kids

In March 2010, an album titled Don't Wake Up The Kids, which featured acoustic tracks recorded by Duncan Redmonds, Joey Cape of Lagwagon and Ken Yokoyama of Hi-Standard was released on Inyaface Records. To coincide with the release of the album, Duncan Redmonds and Joey Cape toured Japan, playing a series of acoustic shows.^[5]

2011 to present

2011 saw another short tour of Japan for the band, as well as the recording and release of a tour EP, entitled 5-4-3-2-1 Ding-a-Ling Yahon, which consisted of new songs and Japanese covers.

In spring 2012, the band took to the road for a 10-date UK tour, featuring newly installed Oliver Stewart taking over trombone duties from Dave Redmonds. Shows included The Borderline, London and Trillians, Newcastle.^[6] Snuff are also confirmed to appear at the 2012 Rebellion festival, in Blackpool, UK, alongside bands such as Rancid and SNFU, as well as being lead support for the summer 2012 NOFX UK tour.

Notably in 2012, Snuff recorded their first full-length album since 2003's Disposable Income (album). The album titled 5-4-3-2-1 Perhaps? contains 12 new tracks and was released on 8 January 2013. The vinyl was released in black vinyl, limited edition purple vinyl with green haze (407 copies) and even more limited green vinyl with Fat Record Store labels (100 copies). The album also came as a CD version along with a Japanese issue with exclusive artwork.

In August 2015, Snuff completed a full UK tour supporting Bad Religion. In February 2016, they celebrated '30 Years of Snuff' with a full UK tour supported by Good Cop Bad Cop and The Spoilers.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

Live albums

Singles

• "Not Listening" (7"/CD)
• "1990 Tour Flexi" (7")
• "Cubical" (7")
• "That's Fine" (7"/CD)
• "100% Recyclable Punk" (7")
• "100% Recyclable Punk" (7") (limited edition of 25 with different sleeve for Japanese tour)
• "Christmas Single" (Theme from Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (7"))
• "Long Ball To No-One" (7"/CD)
• "Do Do Do EP" (7"/CD)
• "Gandara and Friends" (7"/CD)
• "Nick Motown" (7"/CD) ("Scminkie Minkie Pinkie" (US) (7"/CD))
• "Yuki" (7"/CD)
• "In The Fishtank" (CD)
• "Oishe Deh" (CD)
• "Australian Tour" (7"/CD)
• "Down By Yurr" (7"/CD)
• "What's In The Pasties" (CD)
• "Sweet Days" (7"/CD)
• "Blue Gravy" (2x7"/CD)
• "VS Urban Dub" (CD)
• "Blue Gravy Dub Versions" (CD)
• "Chocs Away" (CD)
• "Blue Gravy VS Urban Dub" (CD)
• "Innafayce" (CD)
• "A Lover's Concerto" (Digital download only)
• "5-4-3-2-1 Ding-a-Ling Yahon" (CD)
• "In the Stocks" (7"/Digital download)

Comedy, cover versions and theme tunes

• "I Try" (Macy Gray)
• "Purple Haze" (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
• "Wannabe" (Spice Girls)
• "Sound of the Underground" (Girls Aloud)
• "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (The Four Tops)
• "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor)
• "Hazy Shade Of Winter" (Simon & Garfunkel)
• "Soul Limbo" (Booker T. & the M.G.'s)
• "Match of the Day" (Theme Tune)
• "I Think We're Alone Now" (Tommy James & the Shondells, Tiffany)
• "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (Blue Öyster Cult)
• "Rivers of Babylon" (Melodians, Boney M)
• "City Baby Attacked by Rats" (GBH)
• "Do Nothing" (The Specials)
• "You're Wondering Now" (Andy & Joey)
• "Theme from Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?"
• "The Rockafeller Skank" (Fatboy Slim)
• "Gandhara" (Godiego)
• "Flake" (Cadbury)
• "On The Outside" (No Use for a Name)
• "Shake n Vac" (Glade) ^[7]

Videos

• High Octane Video Wounders (DVD/VHS)

References

External links

• Snuff on Myspace