Incredible Kidda Band
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 10 February 1976 |
| Headquarters | Nuneaton , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Website | www |
The Incredible Kidda Band (also known simply as The Kidda Band) originated as a British power pop group, established in Nuneaton on 10 February 1976. The founding lineup included Alan Hammonds (guitar and vocals), Graham "Kidder" Hammonds (percussion and backing vocals), Dave 'Legs' Lister (lead guitar and backing vocals), John Rollason (guitar and backing vocals), Les Rollason (bass guitar), and Graham "Dick" Millington (drums). Subsequent additions to the band featured Mark "Tarky" Bates (drums, backing vocals), Keith Taylor (bass), Mick Rollason (guitar, backing vocals), and Paul Gardner (drums).
Career
On 19 January 1978, The Incredible Kidda Band secured a deal with Psycho Records. Their debut power pop single, "Everybody Knows" backed with "No Nerve," both penned by Alan Hammonds, was produced at London's Utopia Studios. The engineering was handled by Andy Brook Jackson, who would later become closely associated with Pink Floyd and David Gilmour. Unhappy with the initial production work by Des Dolan, the band opted to remix both tracks at Utopia Studios; however, they remained dissatisfied with the final outcome.
Although the single received favorable feedback from industry professionals such as producer Tony Visconti and garnered attention in publications like Melody Maker, Sounds, and Record Mirror, it failed to generate significant commercial success but eventually gained status as a collector’s item.
The band signed with Carrere Records on 31 August 1978 under the guidance of Peter Hinton and abbreviated their name to the Kidda Band. Their London debut occurred at The Rock Garden in Covent Garden on 1 September 1978, attracting devoted fans who traveled from Nuneaton to support them. They also partnered with OAK booking agency based in Birmingham, managed by John Mostyn, notable later for working with prominent UK bands such as The Beat, Fine Young Cannibals, and Ocean Colour Scene.
The Kidda Band regularly appeared at Radio 1 live events alongside DJs including Peter Powell and David "Kid" Jensen. Their inaugural Carrere single was a double A-side featuring "Fighting my way back" and "Saturday Night Fever," the latter offering a critical perspective on the popular film's cultural impact. Released on 29 June 1979, both songs were recorded at Radio Luxembourg Studios, written by Hammonds, engineered by Peter Hughes, and co-produced by Graham "Kidder" Hammonds.
Throughout 1979, they supported well-known acts such as The Troggs, The Pirates, Radio Stars, and The Beat, gaining recognition for their vigorous live shows. On 11 September 1979, they entered into a management contract with March Music/Fast Western Productions, founded by Ric Lee, former drummer of Ten Years After.
The group made television appearances on Granada TV's Get it together, promoted by Muriel Young, performing their singles during late 1979 and early 1980. Their third single was recorded on 14 January 1980 at Chas Chandler's Portland Recording Studios—associated with Barn Records—with engineering by Andy "Pugwash" Miller and production overseen by Mark Robbins. This release included "Get off the telephone" backed with "Big boys don't cry," both authored by Hammonds and issued on 4 February 1980.
Critics praised the single for its catchy melodies combined with strong appeal to teenage audiences reminiscent of The Glitter Band and early Bay City Rollers. However, their opportunity to support The Skids on tour was canceled due to insufficient backing from Carrere Records. Relations between the band and Carrere worsened; in March 1980 Mark "Tarky" Bates replaced Paul Gardner as drummer.
Despite these challenges, the Kidda Band continued extensive touring across the UK. A live review published in New Music News in May 1980 commended their songwriting capabilities and energetic stage presence. Their first performance at London's The Venue took place in September 1980 amid growing interest from industry insiders beyond their label.
Citing inadequate promotional support and investment—especially when compared to labelmates like Saxon—the band parted ways with Carrere Records on 1 October 1980. Within two weeks, they signed with Blue Chip/Cygnet Records under producer Rodger Bain, known for producing Black Sabbath’s hit "Paranoid." In 1981 they released their fourth single, "If looks could kill" / "Don't she look F-A-B," produced by Spencer Shiroda and mastered at Strawberry Studios (owned by members of 10cc). Despite receiving airplay, sales were disappointing; consequently, they left Blue Chip Records in April that year.
Later in 1981, live recordings were made for a potential album release. In September 1982 they entered Alaska Studios to record new material with engineer Pat Collier. Recognized for blending raw rock vigor with ’70s glam influences, the band maintained active live performances into the early ’80s.
In November 1984 they supported Orange Juice at the University of Essex. Working alongside promoter Terry Murphy’s Vinyl Cuts label, they released their fifth single "Hold your head up high" / "I wouldn't treat a dog (Like you treat me)" in June 1985. This record was produced by Graham "Kidder" Hammonds and engineered by Gary Edwards at Village Recorders; mastering was completed by George Peckham ("Porky Prime Cut").
Throughout their career, the band underwent several name changes: initially shortening to the Kidda Band before adopting "The Kicks" in November 1979 and ultimately becoming "We're Only Human" in July 1981. Their contract with March Music concluded in September 1985 without renewal.
In 1987 guitarist John Rollason paused his work with the band to record with Dirty Strangers alongside Paul Fox; this album was produced by Prince Stanislas Kosslowski de Rola. The Incredible Kidda Band officially disbanded in 1989.
By the late ’90s there was renewed interest among collectors worldwide for their debut single. In 2000 Detour Records issued their debut album Too Much Too Little Too Late, a double album compiling studio sessions and demos that received positive critiques internationally.
Subsequently, their singles were reissued globally—by Japan's 1977 Records in 2002 and New York’s Last Laugh Records starting from 2011—with previously unreleased tracks also emerging. In December 2011 Germany’s Red Lounge Records released a vinyl edition of Too Much Too Little Too Late.
Their second album featuring unreleased recordings, Made In England, came out in October 2014 via Black and Blue Records (UK). In April 2016 Last Laugh Records issued a double A-sided single containing previously unheard original tracks: "The Girls Said No" / "Bullet in my heart."
Singles
- "Everybody Knows" / "No Nerve" (6 May 1978) – Psycho P2608
- "Fighting My Way Back" / "Saturday Night Fever" (11 October 1979) – Carrere Records CAR119
- "Get off the Telephone" / "Big Boys Don't Cry" (7 March 1980) – Carrere Records CAR138
- "If Looks Could Kill" / "Don't She Look F-A-B" (21 August 1981) – Blue Chip/Cygnet BC102
- "Hold Your Head Up High" / "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog" (7 June 1985) – Vinyl Cuts Records VC002
- "Everybody Knows / No Nerve" (1 November 2002) – 1977 Records S045
- "Fighting My Way Back" / "Saturday Night Fever" (8 November 2002) – 1977 Records S046
- "Get off the Telephone" / "Big Boys Don't Cry" (15 November 2002) – 1977 Records S047
- "If Looks Could Kill" / "Don't She Look F-A-B" (22 November 2002) – 1977 Records S048
- "Radio Caroline" / "We're Gonna Make It" (25 March 2011) – Last Laugh Records HAW011
- "Everybody Knows" / "No Nerve" (22 July 2011) – Last Laugh Records HAW010
- "(Watch Out) Thief" / "You Belong To Me" (2 December 2011) – Last Laugh Records HAW017
- "Fighting My Way Back" / "Saturday Night Fever" (7 April 2012) – Last Laugh Records HAW021
- "Bitch" / "She's a 50" (8 November 2012) – Last Laugh Records HAW025
- "Girl Said No" / "Bullet in My Heart" (4 April 2016) – Last Laugh Records HAW037
- "If Looks Could Kill" / "Don't She Look F-A-B" (1 July 2024) – Bachelor Records BR-135
- "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog" / "Hold Your Head Up High" (1 July 2024) – Bachelor Records BR-136
Albums
- Too Much Too Little Too Late (CD & Vinyl) (19 June 2000) Detour Records DRCD/DRLP 023
- Too Much Too Little Too Late (CD Reissue) (20 June 2007) Detour Records DRCD 023
- Too Much Too Little Too Late (Vinyl Repackaged/Re-release) (1 December 2011 & 8 September 2014) Red Lounge Records RLR095
- Made In England (CD) (30 October 2014) Black and Blue Records BNBCD002
- Anthology (scheduled for early 2026, Black and Blue Records)
- Live Album (planned early 2026, Black and Blue Records)