The Vibes were a psychobilly band formed in Essex, UK in the fall of 1983. The original lineup included Gaz Voola (vocals) aka Gary Boniface, Lloyd Tripp (bass), Martin Parson (guitars), Bob Madden (guitars) and a fourteen year old drummer, who was replaced by John Jobagy in early 1984. Mike Spencer, frontman of the Cannibals, helped them get a foot in the garage door and The Vibes soon supported the likes of the Tall Boys and The Sting-rays. Unable to sign the record deal, they´re looking for, the band was nearly about to split -- Lloyd Tripp already has had appearances with the Blubbery Hellbellies and the Sting-rays -- as they finally came to the attention of Big Beat Records' Roger Armstrong, who signed them to record their debut EP, Can You Feel The Vibes, and the quintet also taped an interpretation of Alligator Wine, which was included on the Revenge Of The Killer Pussies compilation album.
Lead guitarist Martin Parson departed from the band and was replaced by former Cannibal guitar man Johnny "Mother" Johnson and the reformed Vibes signed a new record deal with Chainsaw Records. The band released one more 7", a 12" EP and their only full-length album What's Inside?, which hit the Top 10 of the UK indie charts and toured all over Europe, including an appearance on French TV in 1985. The Vibes released another 7" vinyl, entitled Something Ain't Right on Chainsaw in 1985, but differences of opinion between the band members and the management had already forced a final split. John mentions getting a letter from the Vibes on his show of 16 November 1985 (BFBS) in which they reported their split, and that 3 members of the band had formed Purple Things, whose release John then played a track from.
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played the band's debut single in 1984 and would later play further material, including their cover of the Outcasts', I'm In Pittsburg And It's Raining. The song later would enter the 1985 Festive Fifty and Peel would also revisit it in the 90's. The group also did a session for his show in 1985.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1985 Festive Fifty: I'm In Pittsburg And It's Raining #37
Sessions[]
The Vibes - Peel Session 1985
1. Recorded: 1985-04-02. First Broadcast: 22 April 1985. Repeated: 07 May 1985, 18 June 1985
- Inside Out / Egyptian Thing / Judgement Day / Looking In The Mirror
Other Shows Played[]
- 1984
- 01 October 1984: Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 08 October 1984 (BBC World Service): Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 09 October 1984: Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 10 October 1984 (VPRO): Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 13 November 1984: Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 09 December 1984 (BFBS): Mini Skirt Blues (7" EP - Can You Feel) Big Beat SW 99
- 06 February 1985: I Hear Noises (7") Chainsaw
- 10 February 1985 (BFBS): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 11 February 1985 (BBC World Service): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 12 February 1985: I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 18 February 1985 (BFBS): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 19 February 1985: I Hear Noises (7") Chainsaw
- 20 February 1985: I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 04 March 1985: Scratch My Back (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 06 March 1985: I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 10 March 1985 (BFBS): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 14 March 1985 (Radio Bremen): I Hear Noises (7") Chainsaw
- 18 March 1985: Hasil Adkins In My Head (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 19 March 1985: Hasil Adkins In My Head (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 24 March 1985 (BFBS): Hasil Adkins In My Head (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 31 March 1985 (BFBS): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 01 April 1985: I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4 (JP: 'One of the best of '85 to date, I think.')
- 26 May 1985 (BFBS) / Peel 013 (BFBS): Hasil Adkins In My Head (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 02 September 1985: Psychedelic Woman (LP - What's Inside?) Chainsaw
- 09 September 1985: Ballad Of J.D. (LP - What's Inside?) Chainsaw
- 09 September 1985 (BBC World Service): Psychedelic Woman (LP - What's Inside?) Chainsaw
- 09 September 1985 (BFBS): 'Judgement Day (LP-What's Inside?)' (Chainsaw)
- 16 September 1985 (BFBS): 'Come Back Bird (LP-What's Inside?)' (Chainsaw)
- 17 December 1985: I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4 FF #37
- 1987
- 13 August 1987 (Rockradio): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 21 August 1987 (BFBS): I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in) (12" - The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind) Chainsaw TEXT 4
- 1990
- 14 August 1990: 'I'm In Pittsburgh And It's Rain'in (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind)' (Chainsaw)
- 1991
- 30 November 1991: 'Im In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'In) (12"-The Inner Wardrobes Of Your Mind)' (Chainsaw) (JP: 'Obviously I have no idea at all what the Vibes are all doing these days, but I hope that they're all well and happy and sleep well, because having made a record as wonderful as that is nothing to be sniffed at, I think.')
- 1999
- 13 December 1999 (BFBS): 'I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Rain'in)' (12")' (Chainsaw)
- 23 December 1999 (Radio Eins): I´m In Pittsburgh And It´s Raining (12") Chainsaw