The Bodysnatchers (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in London, England |
| Founder | Nicky Summers |
| Headquarters | London , England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Singles: "Let's Do Rock Steady", "Easy Life"/"Too Experienced" |
The Bodysnatchers were a seven-member female ensemble pivotal to the British 2 Tone ska resurgence during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Career
Established in London by Nicky Summers in 1979 amid the post-punk movement, The Bodysnatchers issued two singles blending ska and rocksteady under the 2 Tone Records label. Their inaugural live appearance occurred in November 1979 at the Windsor Castle pub located in west London, where they supported Shane MacGowan’s group, The Nips. Soon after, Chrysalis Records extended an invitation for them to perform at Debbie Harry's birthday celebration. Upon signing with 2 Tone Records, they launched the single "Let's Do Rock Steady," which reached number 22 on the UK charts, and made a notable appearance on Top of the Pops in March 1980. During spring 1980, they toured as a supporting act for The Selecter, later joining tours with The Specials and The Go-Go's. Their follow-up release was a double A-side single, "Easy Life"/"Too Experienced," produced by Jerry Dammers. Additionally, they opened for renowned artists including Toots and the Maytals at London's Hammersmith Odeon, Lene Lovich, and Madness.
The band appeared in the documentary film Dance Craze, which highlighted live sets from various bands within the 2 Tone movement. Despite their influence, The Bodysnatchers disbanded in 1981 without producing a full-length album.
They recorded two sessions for the John Peel Show: first on 14 April 1980 featuring tracks "What's This?," "Ghost of the Vox Continental," "Happy Time Tune," and "The Boiler," followed by another session on 8 September 1980 with "Private Eye," "Hiawatha," "Mixed Feelings," and "The Loser."
Aftermath
Following The Bodysnatchers' split, five founding members created The Belle Stars, another all-female group that enjoyed UK chart success between 1982 and 1983 and later achieved a US Top 20 hit in 1989 with their rendition of "Iko Iko." This track gained additional prominence through its inclusion in the film Rain Man, three years after The Belle Stars had dissolved. When The Specials’ original lead vocalists left, Rhoda Dakar took over as lead singer for The Special AKA. Although The Bodysnatchers never released a full album, their original composition "The Boiler," which confronts the issue of sexual assault, was subsequently recorded by Dakar alongside The Special AKA, featuring Nicky Summers on bass.
In 1984, Sarah Jane Owen and Penny Leyton founded The Deltones, an all-female ska outfit that released an album and two singles via Unicorn Records in 1989 before ceasing activity in 1991.
Rhoda Dakar collaborated with Skaville UK—alongside former Bad Manners members Martin Stewart and Louis Alphonso—providing vocals on their debut album 1973 (2007). Later that year, she issued a solo acoustic record on Moon Ska World titled Cleaning In Another Woman's Kitchen, which included fresh compositions as well as reinterpretations of The Bodysnatchers’ tracks "Do Rocksteady" and "Easy Life."
Line-up
- Rhoda Dakar – lead vocals
- Sarah Jane Owen – lead guitar
- Stella Barker – rhythm guitar
- Nicky Summers – bass guitar
- Penny Leyton – keyboards
- Miranda Joyce – alto saxophone
- Jane Summers – drums (1979–1980)
- Judy Parsons – drums (1980–1981)
Discography
- 1980 "Let's Do Rock Steady" (UK No. 22) / "Ruder Than You"
- 1980 "Easy Life" (UK No. 50) / "Too Experienced"
Compilations
- Dance Craze
- The Two Tone Story
- This Are Two Tone
- A Taste of Two Tone