John Peel Wiki

Changes to the look of John Peel Wiki will take place in the near future due to a new skin being rolled out over Oct/Nov across Wikia. Please see the Wikia Staff Blog for further details. On this site, the changes will affect the navigation from the left menu, as well as introduce a fixed page width with narrower content space. Please be patient while adjustments are made for the switch to the new system.

UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

COUNTDOWN: Just a reminder for people still using Monaco that the final switch to the new skin is due on Nov. 3. After that, it will no longer be offered as an option. Sorry. Nothing to do with me.

Steve W

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John Peel Wiki

The Voodoo Queens were an indie band from North London and one of the very few predominantly all female British Asian group. The band composed of Anjali Bhatia (guitar, vocals), Ella Guru (guitar, backing vocals), Stefania Lucchesini (drums), Rajni Bhatia (keyboards) and Anjula Bhasker (bass). Rebecca Lunn later stepped in for Anjula who had to leave to visit family in India. In late 1992, Anjali left the group Mambo Taxi where she was the drummer to start the Voodoo Queens, along with her sister Rajni and cousin Anjula, Ella Guru (of Mambo Taxi), and drummer Sunny. Mary Deigan replaced Anjula on bass in 1994. The band split in 1999 and Ella Guru (NOTE: she is not related to or has any connection with a group who has the same name as her, that had an entry in the 2004 Festive Fifty with "Park Lake Speakers") joined the Stuckist artists. Anjali Bhatia went on to become a solo artist with more dance orientated material. Deigan joined The Hangovers. The music press, in addition to associating the band with the Riot Grrrl scene, also grouped them with other Asian-fronted bands such as Cornershop; Anjali felt that the press focused more on the music scene instead of the musical content.

Links To Peel[]

Peel discovered the band when they were touring with Cornershop at The Falcon in November 1992. So impressed with their performance, that he invited them for a session, despite the band performing three songs (one of which was repeated) and the entire set lasting only nine minutes. He compared seeing them live to seeing the Slits for the first time. The session was recorded in January 1993, whilst Anjali was still working at Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street. Other radio and TV appearances followed, including a further two Peel Sessions, and a busking competition against Boyzone on Channel 4's music and arts programme Naked City.

Festive Fifty Entries[]

Sessions[]

Voodoo_Queens_-_Peel_Session_1993

Voodoo Queens - Peel Session 1993

The first two sessions are available on Voodoo Queens ‎– Peel Sessions - Touch No Dirt, See No Dirt, Eat No Dirt (CD, Strange Fruit, 1994). First session on BBC Session (12" vinyl EP, Beggars, 2025)

1. Recorded: 1993-01-10. Broadcast: 22 January 1993. Repeated: 01 May 1993

  • Kenuwee Head (Dude Idol) / Summer Sun / Princess Of The Voodoo Beat / Supermodel Superficial

2. Recorded: 1993-06-20. Broadcast: 23 July 1993. Repeated: 27 August 1993

  • Chocolate Eyes / Shopping Girl Maniac / Indian Film Star / My Favourite Handbag

3. Recorded: 1994-02-15. Broadcast: 26 March 1994. Repeated: 04 November 1994

  • Dream Boy Kits / Caffeine / F Is For Fame / You'll Lose A Good Thing

Other Shows Played []

(The list below was compiled only from the database of this site and Lorcan's Tracklistings Archive. Please add further information if known.)

Voodoo_Queens_-_Supermodel_Superficial_Rage_Music_Video

Voodoo Queens - Supermodel Superficial Rage Music Video

'Supermodel Superficial', #06 in the 1993 Festive Fifty

1993

John_Peel's_Interview_-_The_Voodoo_Queens

John Peel's Interview - The Voodoo Queens

1994

1995

External Links[]