The Snapdragons
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Snapdragons—occasionally referred to as The Snapdragons UK to distinguish them from a later American ensemble—were an indie rock group originating from Leeds, England. Led by vocalist and principal songwriter James Taylor (not to be confused with other artists sharing the same name), they issued two albums along with four singles during the late 1980s and early 1990s through the independent label Native Records.
History
After signing with Native Records, their initial single, "The Things You Want," was released in 1988 and received airplay on BBC Radio 1’s Simon Mayo program. This track was included on the Indie Top 20 Volume VI compilation and subsequently featured on Cherry Red Records' C88 collection. Their debut album, Dawn Raids on Morality (1989), produced by Pat Collier, was followed by a session for BBC Radio 1 hosted by John Peel. The Snapdragons embarked on extensive tours throughout the UK, supporting label peers such as The Darling Buds and Treebound Story, establishing themselves as one of the promising indie outfits of 1990 alongside acts like James and The Family Cat. Nevertheless, inconsistent live shows and the departure of key members—first John Sullivan, then Simon "Spike" Mullings—hindered their commercial advancement.
Their sophomore album, The Eternal in a Moment (1990), gathered singles and EP tracks not previously included on their debut, featuring songs like "The Things You Want" and the title track "The Eternal in a Moment." A third studio effort titled Mass, recorded with Nigel Lister taking over guitar duties from Sullivan, was never released due to legal complications that eventually led to the band's dissolution.
Drummer Pellegrino "Pel" Riccardi went on to join the electronic act Utah Saints. The band's final single, "Dole Boys on Futons," was later featured on Cherry Red's C89 compilation released in 2018.
Simon "Spike" Mullings tragically died in a kayaking accident on 1 September 2024 at age 57.
Personnel
- James Taylor (vocals, guitar, principal songwriter)
- John Sullivan (guitar, piano, songwriter)
- Simon "Spike" Mullings (bass guitar)
- Pellegrino "Pel" Riccardi (drums)
Discography
- 7" singles
- 1988 "The Things You Want" – 7NTV 37
- 1989 "The Eternal in a Moment" – 7NTV 47
- 12" singles
- 1988 "The Things You Want" – 12NTV 37
- 1989 "Dole Boys On Futons" – 12NTV 41
- 1989 "No Expectations" – 12NTV 46
- 1989 "The Eternal in a Moment" – 12NTV 47
- 1989 "Dole Boys on Futons" – CD NTV 41 (3-inch CD)
- Albums
- 1989 Dawn Raids on Morality
- 1990 The Eternal in a Moment