One Thousand Violins
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Darren Swindells, Colin Gregory, John Wood, David Walmsley, Peter Day |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
| Products | Indie pop music |
One Thousand Violins was an English indie pop band from Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, influenced by 1960s sounds and achieving multiple hits on the UK Indie Chart during the late 1980s.
History
The group was established in 1985 by Darren Swindells (bass), Colin Gregory (guitar), John Wood (vocals), David Walmsley (keyboards/guitar), and Peter Day (drums). Prior to this, Gregory and Walmsley had collaborated in The Page Boys. Their debut single, "Halcyon Days," came out in 1985. The B-side track, "Like One Thousand Violins," was selected for that year's Festive 50 by listeners of John Peel's BBC Radio 1 program, following a Peel session earlier that same year. After a second Peel session in 1986, they entered the indie charts with "Please Don't Sandblast My House," which peaked at number 11.
In 1987, Ian Addey replaced Peter Day on drums. The band sustained their presence on the indie charts with singles such as "Ungrateful Bastard," "Locked Out of The Love-In," and "If I Were a Bullet." Their first full-length album, Hey Man That's Beautiful, was released in 1988. Subsequently, John Wood departed and was succeeded by Vince Keenan, formerly of Hays Office. Due to financial strains and internal conflicts, the band disbanded in 1989.
Following the breakup, Colin Gregory went on to form The Dylans, while Vince Keenan joined Splendid Fellows and later SPIGGOTT. David Walmsley passed away from cancer in 1992. After leaving the group, John Wood created The Chrysalids alongside Yves Altana. A retrospective compilation entitled Neither Love Nor Money was issued in 2012.
Although their commercial reach was modest initially, internet-driven renewed interest enhanced their recognition. Vinyl Japan released a compilation called Like One Thousand Violins in 2000. In 2014, Cherry Red Records issued Halcyon Days - Complete Recordings 1985-1987, which included rare tracks from the John Wood period.
Discography
Positions listed correspond to rankings on the UK Indie Chart.
Singles
- "Halcyon Days" (1985), Dreamworld DREAM 002 12"
- "Please Don't Sandblast My House" (1986), Dreamworld DREAM 008/008T 7"/12" (#11)
- "Ungrateful Bastard" (1987), Constrictor Single-Coll. 001 7" (#27)
- "Locked Out Of The Love-In" (1987), Dreamworld DREAM 014/014T 7"/12" (#13)
- "If I Were a Bullet (Then For Sure I'd Find a Way To Your Heart)" (1987), Report REPX1/REPX1T 7"/12" (#17)
- "All Aboard The Lovemobile" (1988), Immaculate IMMAC 7/12 7"/12"
- "If Only Words (Would Let Me Conquer You)" (1989), Immaculate IMMAC 9/12 7"/12"
Albums and EPs
- Please Don't Sandblast My House (six-track mini-LP) (1987), Constrictor CON! 00008
- Locked Out of the Love-In (1987), Constrictor CON! 00023
- Hey Man That's Beautiful (1988), Immaculate IMMACLP1
- Compilations
- Like One Thousand Violins CD (2000), Vinyl Japan ASKLP119/ASKCD119
- Halcyon Days - Complete Recordings 1985-1987 CD (2014), Cherry Red CDMRED624
- John Peel session 25.09.85 10" (2023), Precious Recordings PRE027
- John Peel session 02.12.86 10" (2023), Precious Recordings PRE028