Q-Tips (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Streetband |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Q-Tips was a British band known for their blend of blue-eyed soul and new wave rock, established in 1979 from former members of the rock ensemble Streetband.
Streetband
Although their track "Toast" gained popularity through frequent airplay on Capital Radio, Streetband did not achieve commercial success with their two 1979 albums, London and Dilemma. Following the departure of drummer Chalky and guitarist Roger Kelly, the group continued with Paul Young (vocals), Mick Pearl (bass), and John Gifford (guitar).
Career
The former members of Streetband expanded their lineup by adding guitarist Dave Lathwell and drummer Baz Watts. They also incorporated a four-piece brass section featuring Steve Farr on baritone saxophone, Richard Blanchchard on tenor saxophone, Oscar Stuart Blandamer on alto saxophone, and Tony Hughes on trumpet, all hailing from North London and Hertfordshire. Organist Ian Kewley joined from Essex. The band's name was derived from the well-known cotton swab brand Q-Tips.
Rehearsals commenced in November 1979, with their live debut occurring on 18 November at the Queens Arms Hotel in Harrow. Within their first month, they performed 16 shows; however, Blanchard and Lathwell exited the group within six months.
By April 1980, the band recorded "SYSLJFM (The Letter Song)" and "Having a Party" at Livingstone Studios located in Barnet. Persistent touring helped them cultivate a dedicated following by mid-1981, with original compositions increasingly replacing soul cover songs. Their dynamic live performances attracted interest from record labels; Mickie Most of RAK Records described them as "the best live band working at the moment." Their eponymous debut album was released in August 1980.
Guitarist John Gifford was succeeded by Garth Watt-Roy, previously associated with The Greatest Show on Earth, East of Eden, and Marmalade, while Nick Payne replaced Blandamer on saxophone. This lineup stayed intact for the remainder of the band's existence. In late 1981, Q-Tips appeared on several BBC programs such as In Concert, Rock Goes to College, and The Old Grey Whistle Test, alongside performances on Saturday morning television. They also supported prominent acts including The J. Geils Band, The Knack, Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley, and Average White Band.
Their touring schedule featured support slots for After the Fire and a 12-date UK tour with The Who in 1981. That same year, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Despite extensive touring efforts and releasing seven singles plus two albums, disappointing record sales led to their disbandment in early 1982 when Paul Young embarked on a solo career with CBS Records, retaining Ian Kewley as his keyboardist and songwriting partner. Subsequently, between 1982 and 1983, Farr, Hughes, Blandamer, and Watts joined Adam Ant's UK and US Friend or Foe tour; Farr, Hughes, and Watts also participated in Ant's 1984 Strip tour.
Paul Young briefly reunited with Q-Tips for a reunion tour in 1993.
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| London |
|
| Dilemma |
|
| Streetband Featuring Paul Young |
|
| London Dilemma – A Compleat Collection |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ||
| "Hold On" | 1978 | — |
| "Toast" | 18 | |
| "One More Step" | 1979 | — |
| "Love Sign" | — | |
| "One Good Reason" | — | |
| "Mirror Star" | — | |
| "Toast" (reissued) | 1994 | — |
| "—" indicates singles that did not enter the charts. | ||
Albums
| Title | Album information | Peak chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ||
| Q-Tips |
|
50 |
| Live at Last |
|
— |
| BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert |
|
— |
| Paul Young & the Q-Tips |
|
— |
| Releases marked with "—" did not chart. | ||
Singles
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" | 1980 |
| "Tracks of My Tears" | |
| "Uncle Willy" (released exclusively in the Netherlands) | |
| "A Man Can't Lose (What He Don't Have)"/"She's Some Kind of Wonderful" | |
| "Stay the Way You Are" | 1981 |
| "Love Hurts" | |
| "You Are the Life Inside of Me" | 1982 |
| "Broken Man" (credited as Paul Young with the Q-Tips; Germany exclusive) | |
| "Love Hurts" (credited to the Q-Tips featuring Paul Young) | 1983 |
| "[I Wish It Would Rain]] (credited to the Q-Tips featuring Paul Young) | 1984 |