Cook da Books (also known as Cook the Books, Big in France and Da Books) were a British new wave band from Liverpool, England, formed in 1980. The band were signed to indie labels throughout their career, and much of their music was politically charged, though they also contributed music to popular film soundtracks. They released two albums and eleven singles before splitting up in 1988.
Cook da Books formed in 1980 in Fazakerley, Liverpool composed of former members of pub/cabaret circuit groups The Dogems and Brooklyn, two bands not connected with the city's punk and new wave scene, but competent musicians with close harmonies gained from the Hilda Fallon Roadshow days, similar to other local bands such as Our Kid. The initial line-up was Kevin Kunky Kelly (Guitar/vocals) Peter "Digsy" Deary (vocals, guitar), Owen Moran (bass, vocals), Tony Prescott (keyboards), and John Legget (drums).
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Links to Peel[]
The band emerged from the growing early 80's Liverpool indie scene which included groups like Echo And The Bunnymen and other acts. Peel gave airplay and sessions to bands who came from that scene, which included Cook Da Books, who did two sessions for his programmes. After 1985, Peel seemed to have lost interest in Cook Da Books' material and rarely played any new songs from them.
Sessions[]
COOK DA BOOKS John Peel 7th February 1983
1. Recorded: 1983-02-07. First Broadcast: 14 February 1983. Repeated: 16 March 1983, 07 April 1983
- Low Profile / Do One / I Wouldn't Wanna Knock It / Falling
2. Recorded: 1984-02-18. First Broadcast: 28 February 1984. Repeated: 21 March 1984, 19 April 1984
- Keep On Believing / Golden Age / I Wouldn't Touch You / Hurt Me Deep Inside
Other Shows Played[]
- 28 April 1982: This Is Not The Time (Cassette - V/A Crackin' Up At The Pyramid) Crackin' Up
- 25 October 1982: Rich Men Don't (7") Kite
- 10 November 1982 (BFBS): Rich Men Don't (7") Kite
- 16 November 1982: Rich Men Don't (7") Kite
- 14 December 1982: Rich Men Don't (7") Kite
- 27 December 1982 (BBC World Service): This Is Not The Time (v/a album - Crackin' Up At The Pyramid) Cracking' Up
- 1983
- 23 March 1983: Rich Men Don’t (7") Kite
- 23 March 1983: Low Profile (7" - Rich Men Don't) Kite
- 22 August 1983: I Wouldn't Want To Knock It (7") Kiteland
- 19 September 1983 (BBC World Service): I Wouldn't Want To Knock It! (7") Kiteland
- 04 October 1983: I Wouldn't Want To Knock It! (The Sausage Meat Mix) (12" - I Wouldn't Want To Knock It!) Kiteland
- 1984
- 26 March 1984 (BBC World Service): Caress Me Like A Flower (7") 10
- 1985
- 26 March 1985: You Hurt Me Deep Inside