The Wonder Stuff

The Wonder Stuff biography

The Wonder Stuff are a British alternative rock band, originally based in Stourbridge, West Midlands, in the Black Country, England.

History

Origins and The Eight Legged Groove Machine (1986-1989)

The original line-up was Miles Hunt vocals, guitar (whose uncle Bill Hunt was keyboard player with ELO and Wizzard), Malcolm Treece guitar, vocals, Rob "The Bass Thing" Jones (died July 1993) and Martin Gilks, drums (died April 2006). The group originated from an earlier collaboration with group members of Pop Will Eat Itself, called 'From Eden', which had Miles Hunt on the drums.

The Wonder Stuff were formed on 19 March 1986. They entered the studio in September that year to record a self-financed first EP A Wonderful Day. After signing with Polydor Records for £80,000 in 1987, the group released a series of singles including "Unbearable", "Give Give Give, Me More More More", "A Wish Away" and "It's Yer Money I'm After Baby" (their first Top 40 entry) which were featured on their debut album The Eight Legged Groove Machine in August 1988 (UK #18). The group then embarked on their first headlining nineteen date 'Groovers On Manoeuvres' UK tour. They released "Who Wants To Be The Disco King?" in March 1989, and appeared at Reading and Glastonbury festivals, and tours of Europe and the United States.

Hup (1989-1990)

"Don't Let Me Down Gently" became their first Top 20 hit in September 1989, which preceded the release of the album Hup in October (UK #5). Another twenty four UK tour followed. The album also saw the introduction of new band member Martin Bell, a violin and banjo instrumentalist. Bell had contributed the fiddle and banjo parts, notably on tracks "Golden Green" (the second single), "Unfaithful" and "Cartoon Boyfriend". Several shows during the band's 1989 tour featured local band Ned's Atomic Dustbin as an opening act.

Jones left the band in December 1989 moving to the US.

A single, "Circlesquare" was released shortly after, and just before Paul Clifford replaced Jones on the bass in the spring of 1990. This led to a string of live outings for the renewed line-up in mid 1990. With only one single release in 1990 and no album yet ready they put out "Eleven Appalling Promos", a home video which showed Hunt, Treece and Gilks doing a commentary between each song. In December after receiving a Brit Award nomination the group opted not to play Wembley Arena, but instead, answering a fan's letter, played at a school in South Elmsall.

Never Loved Elvis and chart success (1990-1992)

The third album was started in late 1990 and completed early the following year. The first single from the new album was "The Size of a Cow" in March 1991, their first Top 10 hit reaching #5, and was swiftly followed by "Caught in My Shadow" (UK #18) in May, before releasing the third album Never Loved Elvis in June 1991 (UK #3). After this release, they held their first headlining stadium show at Walsall's Bescot Stadium which attracted 18,000 fans, before the group embarked on a world tour taking in the UK, Europe and the US. For the tour, the band was augmented by keyboardist Peter Whittaker.

Biography from , the free encyclopedia.
It may not have been reviewed by a professional editor, and recent changes may not show up straight away. See the latest version of this article. Used under licence. Subject to disclaimers.