Wailing Cocks

Wailing Cocks were a progressive punk band from the Midlands. In their short career they released two singles on the Birds Nest label in 1979: Rockin' Youth and Listen To The Wailing Cocks. They recorded one session for Peel, and the band were featured in concert on BBC Radio 1 on 24 February 1979 but this was not presented by JP. However, the band's career was cut short by the tragic death of their guitarist and vocalist Andy Leek's best friend Alan Boyle. Two earlier songs Leek had recorded with the Wailing Cocks were later licensed to Beggars Banquet Records for release as a double-A-sided solo single: "Move On (In Your Maserati)" / "Ruben Decides". These were both played on Radio One and were single of the week in Sounds.

Links to Peel
The Wailing Cocks' sole session was recorded at the end of 1978, some considerable time before their vinyl debut. Both the Cocks' singles were present: JP also played Listen To The Wailing Cocks as a single release at least once (this has since been re-released). Leek played keyboards as well as contributing lead vocals, and was backed by Andy Growcott (drums), Alan Boyle (guitar) and Ian Rowley (bass). Leek subsequently joined Dexy's Midnight Runners, playing on several tracks from their debut LP, their Peel Session (as Andy Leake) and their number one single Geno, although he left to pursue a solo career.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * None

Sessions

 * One session, no known commercial release.

1. Recorded: 1978-11-22. First broadcast: 29 November 1978. Repeated: 19 December 1978.
 * Listen To The Wailing Cocks / Raffles / Rockin' Youth / Positive Loving

Other Shows Played

 * 16 August 1979: 'Listen To The Wailing Cocks (7")' (Birds Nest)