The Swinging Cats were ska pop band from Coventry, U.K. who released one single "Mantovani/Away" on 2 Tone Records in 1980 after supporting the Specials on their tour in March of that year. The single was co-produced by Jerry Dammers.
The band were short lived, although sax player Paul Heskett later toured with The Specials, played sax on the More Specials album and flute on no.1 hit Ghost Town. Percussionist Chris Long moved to London in 1986, where together with Jerry Dammers he founded The Artists Against Apartheid club in Covent Garden. Guitarist John Shipley (who wrote 'Mantovani') joined the Special AKA, while keyboardist Toby Lyons joined The Colour Field with Terry Hall. (Read more on 2-Tone.info).
Links to Peel[]
Peel took an interest in their single Mantovani / Away, playing the A-side on a couple of occasions during the summer of 1980.
Sessions[]
- none
Shows played[]
- 13 August 1980 - Mantovani (7")
- 23 August 1980 (BFBS) - Mantovani (7")