A very welcome return to Newcastle, we have The Nightingales playing The Grove in March.
Birmingham’s original punk group The Prefects had been part of The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, recorded a couple of Peel sessions,released a 45 on Rough Trade and, years after splitting up, had released a retrospective CD to all-round glowing reviews. The Nightingales was formed by a few members of The Prefects following that band’s demise in 1979. Described in John Robb’s definitive book on post punk (“Death ToTrad Rock”) as “The misfits’ misfits” and comprising an ever-fluctuating line up, based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd.
The group recorded a bunch of critically acclaimed singles – pretty much always ‘Single Of The Week’ in the music press – and three albums, plus many radio sessions for their great supporter John Peel. In the late Eighties the Nightingales stopped working but re-grouped in 2004. After fucking about with various part-timers, starry eyed wastrels, precious sorts and mercenaries the group arrived at a long standing line up, which featured Lloyd, Andreas Schmid from Faust on bass, ex Violet Violet wonder drummer Fliss Kitson and on guitar James Smith, who Lloyd had spotted playing with Damo Suzuki. Since restarting the group has been more productive than ever – releasing eight vinyl singles, a bunch of EPs, two 6 song minialbums, ten full length studio albums plus a movie soundtrack. The band continues to operate with no actual manager, booking agent, et al, but they get by. And they work equally well with popmusicians, rock n rollers and the avant garde. The group is independent, maverick, diligent, daft, blah blah. Following the hit film "King Rocker", (Stewart Lee's documentary feature about the band), the group has been working with Fire Records, issuing the band's back catalogue in a series of 'deluxe editions',the movie soundtrack and a new studio album "The Awful Truth".In the last few years, amongst other stuff, the Gales toured as special guests of The Damned on an extensive UK tour, released a double live LP and have continued to play regularly around Europe. Following the release of “The Awful Truth” in 2025 the band was officially augmented by wonderful viola player Natalie Mason who had previously guested with the group on stage and record. The five piece - the best batch yet - has completed short tours of UK, Ireland and Germany and will be supporting their new recordings this visit to Newcastle in March 2027.