Khartomb were an English reggae-influenced independent group inspired by The Slits, among other widely-varying sounds of the era, who started up in the 1981 timeframe and featured songwriters Ian Christie (guitar) and Caroline Clayton (bass, vocals, flute), as well as originally Simon (General Gordon) on drums (later on percussion), augmented by Ali Barnes, and Paula Crolla and Karen (surname undisclosed) on vocals. Their only release was a 7 inch on Whaaam! Records, a label run by Dan Treacy of Television Personalities (Swahili Lullaby b/w Teekon Warriors) with Caroline on vocals for Swahili Lullaby, and Paula singing Teekon Warriors. After having been dormant since the early 1980s, Ian and Caroline reformed in the mid-2010s, up through 2019.
Links to Peel[]
The band had sent their second demo to John Peel and followed up with a series of postcards, after their first demo had apparently not gotten the necessary traction. According to Ian, Peel had "[r]ang me at home and spoke to my Mum then I called him from Caroline's home during a band practice (her and Paula were screaming in the background!) when he told me he liked the demo and that we should come in to arrange the recording session."
When three members of the band had shown up to book the session, they noticed that the BBC figure looked none too amused at seeing them all there. However, he would not hold that against them, and the session was produced by Dale Griffin (Mott The Hoople) to the satisfaction of all, and their tracks would feature a few times afterwards.
Sessions[]
1. Recorded: 1982-12-04. First broadcast: 13 December 1982. Repeated: 02 March 1983
- Swahili Lullaby / Sanatogen / Daisy High / Tribal Man
Other Shows Played[]
- 05 July 1983: Swahili Lullaby (single) Whaaam! WHAAM 14
- 25 July 1983: Swahili Lullaby (single) Whaaam! WHAAM 14