{"id":3404,"date":"2020-05-14T20:07:56","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T19:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=3404"},"modified":"2023-06-27T19:21:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T18:21:26","slug":"resurgent-north-east-punk-band-the-fauves-comeback-brought-to-a-frustrating-halt-by-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=3404","title":{"rendered":"Resurgent North East punk band The Fauves’ second coming brought to a frustrating halt by coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A North East punk band who were enjoying an unexpected second wind are among the many who have had to put their plans on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fauves playing at Trillians in Newcastle in 2019.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The\nFauves were formed in 1977 in South Shields when Colin Hodgson\n(Hodge), Leon Slawinski (Ski), Brian Smith (Bri) and John Halliday\n(Hal) left the fledgling Angelic Upstarts after an infamous gig at\nJarrow Town Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original line-up featured Hodge on vocals, Ski on drums, Bri on bass and Hal on guitar. Like many bands at the time, The Fauves’ progress was marred by constant line-up changes, and after releasing just one single, they broke up in 1980. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A full history of the original band and all who passed through it is on their website here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most\nof the members went on to play in other bands over the years, but The\nFauves always felt like a piece of unfinished business. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward 36 years to 2016, and after Hodge, Bri and drummer Bob Rowland reconnected to discuss the good old days, they decided to reform the band with the intention of recording some old songs, as no studio recordings existed. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fauves playing at Trillians in Newcastle in 2019.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

They were joined by guitarist Chris Wilkinson, who Bob had played with in a previous band, The Revolving Doors. Rehearsals went well, so a studio in South Shields, The Garage, was booked to record some old songs, but during the sessions Hodge decided it wasn\u2019t for him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After recruiting Marc Lawton as vocalist, the band resumed the sessions. They selected the best songs from the past, reworking and rearranging them, and two new songs were also written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After releasing the CD Routine Kills<\/em> they played more local gigs and supported the Angelic Upstarts at a sell-out gig at The Trimmers Arms in South Shields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just\nwhen things appeared to be on the up, Marc decided to leave, so they\nadvertised for a new singer, and found Mick Smith (ex-No Fun, Trauma,\nStottin’ Headaches and Hierarchy of Clowns), who fitted the bill\nperfectly with his powerful, aggressive voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band released a six-track EP with Mick on vocals, and it was so well-received that they returned to the studio to expand it into an 11-track album, Back Off World<\/em>, which features revamped old songs and three new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fauves’ second album Back Into The World.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

But the old curse of The Fauves struck again and guitarist Chris decided to call it a day. After numerous auditions they welcomed Allen Hughes, who brought a new dimension to the band with his powerful sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February this year saw The Fauves back in the studio recording a new four-track demo, featuring three new songs – Anti-Social<\/em>, Why <\/em>and Underground <\/em>\u2013 and a revamped version of oldie City Life<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sent it to local radio stations, enjoying regular airplay on Radio Northumberland and Alternative Aycliffe, and had a busy gigging schedule lined up from May onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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