Workhouse

The Workhouse are an indie band originally from Oxford and based in London, formed in the late 90's, currently consisting of Chris Taylor (Guitars Bass and Vocals), Steve Hands (Drums and Vocals), and Mark Baker (Guitars and Bass). The group describes themselves as combining influences from early Factory records, The Chameleons and Interpol together with Nineties shoegazers Ride and Slowdive, the band mix effects driven mayhem with warm psychedelia to produce a sound which is something like The Horrors playing chess with Joy Division while watching a Sigur Ros video.

Links to Peel
Peel played their debut single in 1999 and continued supporting the band including inviting them to do a session for his programme which they did. In an interview with the Nightshift magazine in 2006, Mark Baker, stated that Peel influenced the band's music:

"'Most of the bands that inspired The Workhouse were discovered and championed by John Peel, so he influenced us through music. He was also had integrity, a sense of humour and liked a pint: factors which are common in The Workhouse.'"

He also talked about the death of Peel:

"'It feels pretty sad as we would rather he still be around doing his shows late at night playing terrible Mongolian Trance on a scratchy 12'. His death was a big shock to the band. He supported us at Radio 1 and gave us our first radio play in 2000. When we recorded the Peel session it was initially like being at a funeral…you could feel the soul of John Peel everywhere we turned.'"

Sessions
1. Recorded: 2003-10-22. Broadcast: 26 November 2003
 * Last Of The Big Songs / Boxing Day / Aberdeen / Chancers

Other Shows Played

 * 1999
 * 08 September 1999: Fred (single) Livid Meerkat
 * 09 September 1999 (Radio Eins): Fred (single) Livid Meerkat
 * 11 November 1999: 'Fred (7")' (Livid Meerkat)
 * 09 December 1999 (Radio Eins): 'Fred (7")' (Livid Meerkat)
 * 2003
 * The Workhouse - Peacon September 2003: 'John Noakes (7")' (Awkward Silence)
 * 25 September 2003 (Radio Eins): 'John Noakes (7")' (Awkward Silence)
 * 09 October 2003 (Radio Eins): Peacon (album - The End Of The Pier) Bearos
 * 06 November 2003 (Radio Eins): Stoichkov (album - The End Of The Pier) Bearos
 * 20 November 2003 (Radio Eins): Trading Estate (album - The End Of The Pier) Bearos
 * November 2003 (FSK): Ricketts (CD - The End Of The Pier) Bearos
 * 2004
 * 30 September 2004: John Noakes (LP – The End Of The Pier) Devil In The Woods
 * 12 October 2004: Peacon (LP - The End Of The Pier) Devil In The Woods