The Jags
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Scarborough , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Jags emerged as a British rock ensemble originating from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, in 1978. Their members consisted of Nicole Watkinson on lead vocals, John Alder handling guitar and backing vocals, Steve Prudence on bass, with Neil Whittaker followed by Alex Baird on drums, Michael Cotton contributing bass and backing vocals, and Patrick O'Toole on piano and keyboards.
In 1979, the group secured a contract with Island Records and released their initial four-track EP, which included the single "Back of My Hand." This song garnered acclaim as "one of the finest records not penned by Elvis Costello." It was later featured on their first full-length album Evening Standards in 1980. The Jags started by performing at London pubs and university venues, transitioning by 1979 to a distinctive jangly power-pop style.
Career
After signing with Island Records in July 1978, The Jags quickly followed up with their debut EP. Their power pop track "Back of My Hand," composed by Watkinson and Alder, entered the UK Singles Chart on 8 September 1979, reaching a peak position of number 17 and remaining on the chart for ten weeks. The subsequent single "Woman's World" made a brief appearance at number 75 in the UK charts during February 1980.
Their sophomore and final album, titled No Tie Like a Present, was launched in 1981. The band ultimately dissolved in 1982.
Albums
- Evening Standards (1980) (US chart position No. 205)
- No Tie Like a Present (1981)
Singles
- "Back of My Hand" (1979) – UK chart peak No. 17, US peak No. 84
- "Woman's World" (1980) – UK chart peak No. 75
- "Party Games" (1980)
- "I Never Was a Beachboy" (1980)
- "Here Comes My Baby" (1981)
- "The Sound of G-O-O-D-B-Y-E" (1981)
Only the singles "Back of My Hand" and "Here Comes My Baby" saw release in the United States.
External links
- The Jags Sounds Powered By Glasgow Mods Website A multimedia resource dedicated to Mod culture in Scotland
- The Jags: Power Goes Pop Article from Magnet Magazine dated July 31, 2009