Red Guitars
| Company type | Independent music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Hull , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Indie rock music, singles, albums |
Red Guitars is an English indie rock ensemble originating from Hull, initially active between 1982 and 1986, with a reunion commencing in 2022. Their first single, "Good Technology," achieved sales of 60,000 copies, while "Marimba Jive" and "Be With Me" both secured the top position on the UK Indie Chart.
History
The lineup featured vocalist Jeremy Kidd, lead guitarist Hallam Lewis, drummer Matt Higgins, rhythm guitarist John Rowley, and bassist Lou Duffy-Howard. Formed through performances supporting progressive political causes, Red Guitars cultivated a dedicated fanbase and issued singles through their independent label, Self Drive Records.
In 1982, they released "Good Technology" under Self Drive Records, reflecting their opposition to corporate influence. The accompanying music video was broadcast on Channel 4's The Tube during a special focused on Hull’s music scene.
The band undertook extensive tours to promote singles such as "Fact," "Steeltown" (included on the Four Your Ears Only EP), and "Marimba Jive," while simultaneously managing their label operations. These demands contributed to internal strain that resulted in Kidd leaving the group in 1984 soon after their debut album Slow to Fade was released. The band persisted with Robert Holmes as lead vocalist but did not match previous achievements, although "Be With Me" reached number one on the UK Indie Chart in May 1985.
Following their performance at Belgium’s Pukkelpop festival in 1986, Red Guitars disbanded. Subsequently, Hallam Lewis and Lou Howard established the Planet Wilson, producing two albums between 1988 and 1989 under Virgin Records and Records of Achievement. After the split, Kidd put out a solo single in 1985; Lewis managed a recording studio in Hull; Holmes released a solo album in 1989 and has shared music via YouTube since.
The original members reunited in 2022 for a UK tour. In 2023, they issued a red vinyl 40th-anniversary remix of "Good Technology" and "Fact" (Cat No SCAR 16 T) on Self Drive Records with distribution by Cargo. This release featured a new video shot at the original scrap metal yard site, combining archival clips with fresh footage emphasizing environmental concerns.
In September 2023, they completed a twelve-date UK tour titled 'Good Technology 2023' and are currently engaged in recording new material.
Reunions
On 14 February 1998, the band performed "Paris France" at The New Adelphi Club in Hull. They reunited for a single show at the Winterlude Festival in Hull on 11 February 2006. The original lineup regrouped for a seven-date 'Slow to Fade' tour in April 2022.
Personnel
- Matt Higgins (drums)
- Lou Duffy-Howard (also known as Louise Howard / Louise Barlow, bass)
- Jeremy Kidd (vocals)
- Hallam Lewis (lead guitar)
- John Rowley (rhythm guitar)
- Robert Holmes (vocals/guitar – succeeded Kidd as lead vocalist in 1985)
Albums
- Slow to Fade (Self Drive Records) 1984 UK Indie No. 3
- Tales of the Expected (Virgin Records) 1986
Retrospectives and collections
- Seven Types of Ambiguity (The BBC Sessions, reissued) (RPM Records) 1993
- Slow to Fade with six additional tracks (Cherry Red Records) 2002
- Good Technology (1982–1984) Self Drive Records 2009
Compilation EP
- "Steeltown" (John Peel Session Version), featured on Four your Ears Only (PIAS Recordings) 1984
Singles
- "Good Technology" backed with "Heartbeat Go! Love Dub" (Self Drive Records) 1983 UK Indie Chart No. 8
- "Fact" with "Dive" (Live) as B-side (Self Drive Records) 1983 UK Indie Chart No. 7
- "Good Technology" paired with "Paris France" (Self Drive Records) 1984 UK Indie Chart No. 4
- "Good Technology" accompanied by "Fact" and "Paris France" (Self Drive Records 12-inch) 1984 UK Indie Chart No. 4
- "Steeltown" with "Within 4 Walls" on B-side (Self Drive Records 7-inch & 12-inch) 1984 UK Indie Chart No. 2
- "Marimba Jive" coupled with "Heartbeat Go!" (Self Drive Records) 1984 UK Indie Chart No. 1
- "Marimba Jive (Extended Survival Mix)" backed by "Heartbeat Go! (Extended 'Pinky-Work' Mix)" (Self Drive Records 12-inch) 1984 UK Indie Chart No. 1
- "Be With Me" paired with "Things I Want" (One Way Records) 1985 UK Indie Chart No. 1
- Extended version of "Be With Me" with "Things I Want" as B-side (One Way Records 12-inch) 1985 UK Indie Chart No. 1
- "National Avenue (Sunday Afternoon)" backed by "King And Country" (Virgin Records) 1986
- "National Avenue (Sunday Afternoon)" featuring B-sides "King And Country" and "Things I Want" (Virgin Records 12-inch) 1986
- "America And Me" with accompanying track "Marianne" (Virgin Records) 1986
- Double A-side: "America and Me", "Marianne" plus the extended version of "America and Me" (Virgin Records 12-inch) 1986
- "Blue Caravan" coupled with "Suspicion And Fear" (Virgin Records) 1986
- "Blue Caravan", including acoustic version and "Suspicion And Fear" on Virgin Records 12-inch release 1986
- "Good Technology 2023," featuring remixes of Fact and extended remix of Good Technology 2023 (red vinyl 12-inch Self Drive Records SCAR 16 T) 2023