THE PLEASUREHEADS
Dates
1986 – 1990
Biography
Peterborough based indie rock band, active 1986–1990, also styled “The Pleasure Heads” on some releases.
Members
Core line-up …..
Dean Nicholls – vocals
Andy Donovan
Pete Elderkin
Kev Murphy – joined after the debut single, replacing Mark Randall
Line-up changes …..
Mark Randall – on the debut single only (“Falling Man” / “Don’t Fake It”), then replaced by Kev Murphy
Peter (Pete) Herron – replaced for the Barfly EP (1990)
Dave Colton – bass, joined for the Barfly EP (1990)
Joe MacColl – drums, joined for the Barfly EP (1990)
Note on sleeve credits …..
On their 1986 debut, the band used playful “head” versions of their names – Peter Elderhead, Pete Herrahead, Andy Donnyhead, Mark Randyhead and Dean Nicholhead.
Recordings (in order of release)
1. “Falling Man” / “Don’t Fake It” – 7″ single
Label: Molesworth Records (HUNTS 2)
Released: 1986
Recorded: 12–13 April 1986, University of Surrey
Producer/Engineer: Jim Abbiss (producer on this single only; never a band member)
Accolade: NME joint Single of the Week (exact issue date unknown)
2. “Holding On” – 12″ single
Label: Ediesta Records
Released: 1986
Recorded: 4–5 October 1986, The Music Room, Peterborough
Tracks: Holding On / Beside My Head / Hit the Ground
3. “Treasure” – 12″ single (+ white-label 7″ promo)
Label: Ediesta Records
Released: 1987
Recorded: April/May 1987, The Music Room, Peterborough
Engineer: David Colton
Tracks: Treasure / Madonna Eyes / Something You’re Above (12″ only)
Catalogue no.: Not documented online; likely in the Ediesta CALC 4x sequence (LP was CALC LP 43)
Airplay: John Peel played it repeatedly, August–October 1987
4. “Hard to Swallow” – LP
Label: Ediesta Records (CALC LP 43)
Released: 29 February 1988
Recorded: Winter 1987/88, The Music Room, Peterborough
Engineers: Baz Voce & David Colton
Airplay: Peel played tracks April – June 1988
5. “Within Reach” EP (Barfly EP) – 12″ single
Label: Black Records (12 REV 60)
Released: 12/8/1990
Recorded: Elephant Studios, London
Tracks: Within Reach / There’s No Change / She Said
Line-up change: Dave Colton (bass) and Joe MacColl (drums) came in, replacing Pete Herron
Compilation appearance: “Something You’re Above” on Let’s Try Another Ideal Guest House (Shelter/Rough Trade), date uncertain.
6. “Black Out” – various artists compilation LP
Label: Black Records (a division of FM-Revolver Records Ltd.), catalogue REV LP 166
Released: 1991 (exact day/month not stated on sleeve; © 1991 FM-Revolver Records Ltd.)
Featured artists: Crazyhead, The Dream, The Pleasureheads, The Stone Roses
The Pleasureheads tracks: “Within Reach” (Side One) and “There’s No Change” (Side Two), both taken from the Barfly EP
Notes: Billed as “The best of Black Records.” Full tracklist — Side one: Here Is the Love (The Dream), Some Kinda Fever (Crazyhead), Within Reach (The Pleasureheads), Here It Comes (The Stone Roses), Suzanne (The Dream). Side two: Train (Crazyhead), Sally Cinnamon [remix] (The Stone Roses), Last Monday (The Dream), There’s No Change (The Pleasureheads), Magic Eye (Crazyhead). Manufactured in West Germany; distributed via BMG Ariola/Aris-Ariola München.
BBC John Peel Session
Recorded: 30 April 1989, Maida Vale Studios
First broadcast: 25 May 1989
Producer: Dale Griffin (ex-Mott the Hoople)
Tracks (in broadcast order): She Said / There’s No Change / Frankly / Twirling Tranquiliser Chair
Known Live Appearances
The band played widely across the East Midlands, East Anglia and beyond, as well as their Peterborough home base. Peterborough Glasshouse and Miss Pears dates are drawn from the “They Played Peterborough” archive; other dates are from the band’s own records.
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1 |
29 June 1986 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
With Darkness At Noon — earliest known gig |
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2 |
10 August 1986 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
With The Frantix |
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3 |
14 December 1986 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
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4 |
2 August 1987 |
Miss Pears, Cumbergate, Peterborough |
“Lazy Sunday Afternoon” free open-air event; bill with Then Jerico, John Otway, Johnny Says Yeah, Boysdream |
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5 |
11 October 1987 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
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6 |
13 December 1987 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
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7 |
3 February 1988 |
Princess Charlotte, Leicester |
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8 |
27 February 1988 |
The Ship, Oundle |
Two days before the “Hard to Swallow” LP release |
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9 |
3 March 1988 |
Waterloo, Huntingdon |
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10 |
12 March 1988 |
Sea Cadet Hall, Cambridge |
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11 |
17 March 1988 |
Middlesex Polytechnic |
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12 |
18 March 1988 |
Adelphi, Hull |
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13 |
3 April 1988 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
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14 |
9 June 1988 |
Waterloo, Huntingdon |
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15 |
14 July 1988 |
Tunnel Club, London |
With Stump |
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16 |
28 August 1988 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
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17 |
28 October 1988 |
Lord Protector, Huntingdon |
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18 |
3 November 1988 |
Scotgate, Stamford |
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19 |
18 November 1988 |
The Ship, Oundle |
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20 |
18 December 1988 |
Glasshouse, Peterborough |
Noted as “Ann Johnson’s last show” — Ann Johnson was the Glasshouse promoter (not a band member) |
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21 |
7 March 1990 |
Kool Kat, Nottingham |
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22 |
16 March 1990 |
The Ship Inn, Oundle |
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23 |
31 May 1990 |
Princess Charlotte, Leicester |
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24 |
20 June 1990 |
The Junction, Cambridge |
Supporting Jesus Jones |
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25 |
29 August 1990 |
Axe and Cleaver, Boston |
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26 |
28 September 1990 |
Cultural Centre, Telford |
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27 |
13 October 1990 |
The Junction, Cambridge |
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28 |
20 October 1990 |
Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon |
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29 |
27 November 1990 |
The Junction, Cambridge |
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30 |
7 December 1990 |
The Posh Ballroom, Peterborough |
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31 |
7 February 1991 |
Jericho Tavern, Oxford |
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32 |
21 June 1991 |
The Ship, Oundle |
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Images
