Shrubs

The Shrubs were an English rock music group, formed in Watford in 1985, releasing three albums before splitting up in 1989. Future Shrubs singer Nick Hobbs had previously managed Henry Cow and after living in Stockholm for a year joined Swedish band Kraeldjursanstalten. When that band split up he relocated to London and looked for a new band. After being sacked from Stump for "being too serious", Hobbs formed his own band, taking inspiration from Captain Beefheart, Pere Ubu, The Fall, and The Ex, initially as The Kevin Staples Band, but changing name to The Shrubs.

Links to Peel
The band recorded two sessions for Peel's show between 1986 and 1987 and were regularly played by the DJ in the late 80's. The group's singer, Nick Hobbs, was previously a member of Stump, who also were played by Peel in the same period.

Sessions
1. Recorded: 1986-06-22. Broadcast: 02 July 1986. Repeated: 21 July 1986 2. Recorded: 1987-08-26. Broadcast: 26 August 1987. Repeated: 14 September 1987
 * John Corpse / Black Mailer / Animal / Assassin
 * Sullen Days Are Over / King Urn / Papa Chaperon / Ballet Gorilla

Other Shows Played

 * 10 -- ZRON10 -- The Shrubs - A3.Warm Sea
 * 14 May 1986: Down The Yard (v/a cassette album - Hits $ Corruption / Skin $ Bone) Hits $ Corruption
 * 21 May 1986: Down The Yard (v/a cassette - Hits $ Corruption / Skin $ Bone ) Hits $ Corruption
 * 15 July 1986: Warm Sea (EP - Full Steam Into The Brainstorm) Ron Johnson
 * 1987
 * The Shrubs – Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue (full album) 1987 June 1987 (Radio Bremen): Luke (album - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 26 June 1987 (Radio Bremen): Serial Revelry (album - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 03 August 1987: Luke (LP – Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 12 August 1987: Blackmailer's Heartache (album - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 08 September 1987: Mysterious Places (LP – Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 11 September 1987 (BFBS): 'Luke (LP-Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue)' (Ron Johnson)
 * 28 September 1987: Mysterious Places (LP - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 07 October 1987: Luke (LP - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 21 October 1987: Blackmailer's Heartache (LP - Take Me Aside For A Midnight Harangue) Ron Johnson
 * 1989
 * 25 January 1989: Ballet Gorilla (LP - Vessels Of The Heart) Public Domain
 * 31 January 1989 (Radio Bremen): Papa Chaperon (album - Vessels Of The Heart) Public Domain
 * 01 February 1989: Papa Chaperon (LP - Vessels Of The Heart) Public Domain
 * 27 February 1989: Cole (album - Vessels Of The Heart) Public Domain