B.l.o.w.
| b.l.o.w. | |
|---|---|
| Origin |
 Scarborough, England |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 1994–1996 |
| Labels | Cottage Industries |
| Associated acts | Little Angels, Younger Younger 28's, Feeder, Skunk Anansie, No Sweat |
| Past members |
David Gooding Bruce John Dickinson Jimmy Dickinson Mark Richardson Nicky Boyes Ashley Reaks Mike Bowes |
B.l.o.w. (stylized as b.l.o.w.) were a short-lived English rock band from the mid-1990s. The band released one full album, Pigs (1996), a "mini-album" called Man and Goat Alike (1994) and a collection of singles and live recordings.[1]
Lineup
The band consisted of Bruce John Dickinson (guitar) and Jimmy Dickinson (keys), who were both members of Little Angels, whose split had prompted the formation of b.l.o.w., along with fellow ex-Little Angels drummer Mark Richardson, vocalist Dave Gooding and bassist Nicky Boyes.
B.l.o.w. released their first "mini" album, Man and Goat Alike, in 1994 which was recorded over a period of four days at Jacob's Studios in Surrey. B.l.o.w. was soon out on the road, playing alongside bands such as Thunder. Presenting a distinctly "homegrown" image, b.l.o.w. issued demo tapes to fan club subscribers and released their first mini-album through mail order in music magazine Kerrang! before it was available in the shops.
Spending much of 1995 on tour, the band released what would be their only album in 1996. Pigs featured ten tracks and was, again, released on their own Cottage Industry label. Whilst Man & Goat Alike was largely populated with Hendrix-esque guitar grooves, Pigs seemed darker and more introspective.
By the time of the release of Pigs, the only credited (and photographed) members of the band were the Dickinson brothers and Gooding. Bass and drums are credited to Ashley Reakes (sic) and Michael Bowes respectively, but only as secondary members. Boyes is thanked "especially", whilst no mention is made of Richardson.
Little was heard from b.l.o.w. after that, and it was soon made known that they had called it a day.
When b.l.o.w. folded, Jimmy Dickinson became a member of Younger Younger 28's who had some success in Japan. Gooding formed David 9 & The King Pigs, releasing the album Rain Water & Wine in 2014, and Bruce John Dickinson went on to teach and manage at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey. He is now the Managing Director of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. Mark Richardson joined Skunk Anansie to replace their original drummer, before joining Feeder, following the loss of their original drummer Jon Lee, and became an established member of the band, before leaving at the end of 2008 to rejoin a reunited Skunk Anansie.
Discography
Albums
- Man and Goat Alike (mini album) (1994)
- Legboot (live album) (1995)
- Pigs (1996)
EPs
- Legalise It (1994)
Singles
- "Shroomin' at Moles" (live single) (1995)
- "Kiss Like Concrete" (1995)
- "Angel Sitting in a Tree" (1995)