Dweeb were a 90's Lo-fi indie band, formed in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, who launched their career with three singles for acclaimed independent labels - Fierce Panda, Che and Damaged Goods. Afterwards, they surprised many by signing to a major, WEA Records, through their Blanco y Negro affiliate. The group, which comprises leader Kris Dweeb, his sister Lara and the similarly surnameless John Dweeb (later became DJ Downfall after the group split), formed after seeing a London gig by teenage lo-fi band Bis. They came to the attention of Blanco y Negro managing director Geoff Travis (formerly of Rough Trade Records) after he heard the demo that won them appearances on BBC Radio 1’s Evening Session and the John Peel show. Their first two singles for Blanco, ‘Scooby Doo’ and ‘Oh Yeah, Baby’, highlighted the group’s energetic pop style, with guitars allied to electronic elements, including samples, drum machines and tape loops. Surprisingly, their debut album was recorded with Pete Woodroffe, best known for his work with Def Leppard and (more in keeping with the group’s sound) Tiger.
Links to Peel[]
Peel and Steve Lamacq were enthusiastic about the band's records in the mid-90's, where the former invited the group to do a session for his show in 1996 in which they performed four tracks. After 1997, Peel seemed to have lost interest in the group and never played any songs from their 1998 album, 'Turn You On'.
Sessions[]
Dweeb - Peel Session (25th May 1996)
1. Recorded: 1996-04-28. First Broadcast: 25 May 1996. Repeated: 29 September 1996
- Theme From Dweeb / Session Fodder For John / Scooby Doo / Retard
Live[]
Recording at the Reading Festival: 1996-08-24. First Broadcast: 24 August 1996
- Buzz Song
- Chart Raiders
- Scooby Doo
- Damaged Goods
- Beat Me
- Total Punk Anthem
Other Shows Played[]
- 18 May 1996: Scooby Doo (7" - Chart Raider / Space Invader 45) Fierce Panda
- 25 May 1996 (BFBS): 'Scooby Doo (7"-Chart Raider / Space Invader)' (Fierce Panda)
- 09 June 1996: Scooby Doo (single - Chart Raider / Space Invader 45) Fierce Panda
- 06 July 1996: ‘Buzzsong (7 inch – Split with Mogwai )’ Ché Trading
- 13 July 1996 (BFBS): 'Buzzsong (split 7" with Mogwai)' (Ché Trading)
- 14 September 1996: No Hit Wonder (7") Damaged Goods
- 21 September 1996 (BFBS): 'No Hit Wonder (CDS)' (Damaged Goods)
- 28 September 1996: ‘No Hit Wonder (7 inch )’ Damaged Goods
- 10 October 1996 (BFBS): 'No Hit Wonder (CDS)' (Damaged Goods)
- 15 October 1996: No Hit Wonder (EP) Damaged Goods
- November 1996 (FSK): No Hit Wonder (CD Single) Damaged Goods
- 17 November 1996 (BBC World Service): No Hit Wonder (7") Damaged Goods
- 1997
- 12 January 1997: Scooby Doo (7 inch) Blanco Y Negro
- 20 January 1997 (John Peel's Classic Sessions): Session Fodder For John (session)
- 29 May 1997: Oh Yeah, Baby (12") Blanco Y Negro
- 12 June 1997 (BFBS): 'Oh Yeah, Baby (12")' (Blanco Y Negro)