The Innocent Vicars was a British punk band formed in 1980, with an average age of 14. The St. Albans band met at school, bonding over a love of Bo Diddley, the Undertones and Buzzcocks. The line up chopped and changed for a while before settling on Richard Norris (vocals + rhythm guitar), Aaron Russell (lead guitar) brother of the Toys Mick Russell), and Nigel Benson (bass) who went into a Christian recording studio in Wheathampstead to cut 'She's Here'/'Antimatter'. A host of local talent guested on the record, including Nick Egan from the Tea Set on backing vocals, Cally from the Tea Set on drums, Mark Adams from the Bodies on Roland 101 synth (making the acid house noise on 'Antimatter' nearly a decade early) and Waldo's Phil Smee on production duties.
The single sold out of its initial 500 pressing, thanks to support from John Peel and Radio 1's Round Table show, where it was spun straight after the Clash. The band played many school discos, local clubs, various church halls and youth clubs in St. Albans, Hatfield, Luton and Harpenden, as well as a number of spots at St Albans City Hall (supporting Kagagoogoo and Paul Young's band Q-Tips). They also played at the Fleur De Lys pub, despite all being underage, at a girl's Boarding school and in St Albans Abbey (twice).
After a quick line up change (Mike 'Mac' McDonald replaced Nigel Benson on bass, Steve Watts took over on drums), the band recorded a second single, a cover of Lipps, Inc.'s 'Funky Town' backed with 'Voices'. They also appeared on two compilation albums, with the tracks 'Starship 22' and 'She Was My Girl'.
BBC Radio's Steve Lamacq named 'She's Here' one of his all time favorite records. Richard Norris, 'Mac' McDonald and Steve Watts have all had long careers in music.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played the group's singles on his shows in 1980 and would also revisit the group in later years, even including in 1996 where Steve Lamacq sat in for Peel's show and played "She's Here', which is one of his all time favourite records.
On his 02 May 2002 show, Peel mentioned on his show receiving a note from Rough Trade, which it said the following:
"Here's a good story for you, today Richard Norris, a good mate of ours, came into the shop with his latest 7" single, which you've just heard. He told us, the last time he brought a single directly into the shop was 21 years ago, a 7" by the Innocent Vicars, and he paid £200 cash for the 300 copies, or thereabouts, he went back to St. Albans all content, and that night listened as usual to your programme. Imagine his joy when you played the track that very evening. I think he still thinks of this as the pinnacle of his illustrious career".
Peel then said:
"Well I hope that you're with us tonight, Richard, because in addition to playing the Droyds, I think it's time to play the Innocent Vicars again as well."
He then proceeded to play their track 'Antimatter'.
Shows Played[]
- 04 August 1980: She's Here (b/w 7" - Antimatter) No Brain
- 18 August 1980: She's Here (7" b-side Antimatter) No Brain
- 1982
- 28 January 1982: Funky Town (7") No Brain
- 19 February 1982 (BBC World Service): Funky Town (7") No Brain
- 30 March 1982: Funky Town (7") No Brain
- 1996
- 09 June 1996: She's Here (7" - Antimatter / She's Here) No Brain
- 2002
- 02 May 2002: Antimatter (7") No Brain