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| '''Sophisticated Boom Boom''' are a Scottish girl group, initially forming in 1981 and disbanding in 1983. The five-piece all-girl act were formed from a group of pals and became a mainstay in the early 1980s Glasgow music scene. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Complete Sessions 1981-1983 – Sophisticated Boom Boom {{!}} Monorail Music |url=https://monorailmusic.com/product/the-complete-sessions-1981-1983/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en}}</ref> <ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Lesley |date=30 January 2005 |title=Gina"s a vamp at heart so it"s about time she set the vamp free |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=SMAIL00020050130e11u0002l&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.SMAIL00020050130e11u0002l&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=Sunday Mail}}</ref> | '''Sophisticated Boom Boom''' are a Scottish girl group, initially forming in 1981 and disbanding in 1983. The five-piece all-girl act were formed from a group of pals and became a trailblazing mainstay in the early 1980s Glasgow music scene. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Complete Sessions 1981-1983 – Sophisticated Boom Boom {{!}} Monorail Music |url=https://monorailmusic.com/product/the-complete-sessions-1981-1983/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en}}</ref> <ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Lesley |date=30 January 2005 |title=Gina"s a vamp at heart so it"s about time she set the vamp free |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=SMAIL00020050130e11u0002l&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.SMAIL00020050130e11u0002l&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=Sunday Mail}}</ref> | ||
| Their "tough girl pop sound" was reminiscent of ], ] and ].<ref name=":0" /> | Their "tough girl pop sound" was reminiscent of ], ] and ].<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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| === Beginnings === | === Beginnings === | ||
| The band started from five friends from Glasgow deciding to make music together. Libby McArthur and Jacquie Bradley were school pals. McArthur found herself working in a community centre in the ] performing puppet shows after her application to attend drama school had come to nothing.<ref name="Fotheringham">{{Cite news |last=Fotheringham |first=Ann |date=14 October 2024 |title=Industry focused on the guys’: Scottish 80s girl band reunites |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=GH00000020241014ekae0000i&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.GH00000020241014ekae0000i&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=The Herald}}</ref> It was at the community centre that McArthur also met Tricia Reid who was in the exact same position, but could play the guitar. McArthur said to |
The band started from five friends from Glasgow deciding to make music together. Libby McArthur and Jacquie Bradley were school pals. McArthur found herself working in a community centre in the ] performing puppet shows after her application to attend drama school had come to nothing.<ref name="Fotheringham">{{Cite news |last=Fotheringham |first=Ann |date=14 October 2024 |title=Industry focused on the guys’: Scottish 80s girl band reunites |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=GH00000020241014ekae0000i&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.GH00000020241014ekae0000i&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=The Herald}}</ref> It was at the community centre that McArthur also met Tricia Reid who was in the exact same position, but could play the guitar. McArthur said to Reid, "I’ve a pal in ] who also who wants to be in a band, come and we’ll be in a band together?”<ref name="Fotheringham" /> | ||
| Guitarist Irene Brown and bassist, Laura Mazzolini, would go on to join the band a little later.<ref name="Fotheringham" /> | Guitarist Irene Brown and bassist, Laura Mazzolini, would go on to join the band a little later.<ref name="Fotheringham" /> | ||
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| | quote = "Jackie and I started making music in her bedroom on a Farfisa organ that her mum and dad acted as guarantors on from McCormack's (the influential, lamented music shop in Glasgow). Then me and Jackie and Tricia started the band. We were working in a community centre on a YTS at £23.50 a week. I thought it was a great name and it suited us really well. I was wearing frocks with tackety boots, and that was a kind of sophisticated boom boom juxtaposition. | | quote = "Jackie and I started making music in her bedroom on a Farfisa organ that her mum and dad acted as guarantors on from McCormack's (the influential, lamented music shop in Glasgow). Then me and Jackie and Tricia started the band. We were working in a community centre on a YTS at £23.50 a week. I thought it was a great name and it suited us really well. I was wearing frocks with tackety boots, and that was a kind of sophisticated boom boom juxtaposition. | ||
| | author = <br>'''Libby McArthur, vocalist.'''<ref name="English"/>''' | | author = <br>'''Libby McArthur, vocalist.'''<ref name="English"/>''' | ||
| | bgcolor = #e1f5fe | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Their early punk/rock influences were ] and ]. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Sophisticated Boom Boom |url=https://peel.fandom.com/Sophisticated_Boom_Boom |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=John Peel Wiki |language=en}}</ref> The band performed regularly at, and lived above, the ], a rehearsal space and recording basement studio that Jacquie Bradley ran with David Henderson in the ] area of central Glasgow.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name="English" /> <blockquote>“Studio is a loose term. It was a sh**hole.” - Jacquie Bradley.<ref name="Fotheringham" /></blockquote>Despite this, virtually every band that got a record deal did their demos in this tiny studio with Jacquie Bradley and David Henderson. <ref name="Fotheringham" />The girls would also sneak downstairs to use other bands kit, namely ] and ].<ref name="English" /><blockquote>“We’d be rushing in as all these bands were coming out – Simple Minds, Aztec Camera, The Bluebells, ] – and ], of course – ], ], ]... anybody who was anybody.”<ref name="Fotheringham" /></blockquote> | ||
| === The Hellfire Club === | |||
| ⚫ | The five-piece took their name, ''Sophisticated Boom Boom'', from the B-side by American pop girl group, ].<ref name="English">{{Cite news |last=English |first=Paul |date=12 October 2024 |title=Band wouldn't play with me as pregnant singer |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=DRECRD0020241012ekac0002s&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.DRECRD0020241012ekac0002s&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=Daily Record}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | Their early punk/rock influences were ] and ]. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Sophisticated Boom Boom |url=https://peel.fandom.com/Sophisticated_Boom_Boom |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=John Peel Wiki |language=en}}</ref> The band performed regularly at, and lived above, the ], a rehearsal space and recording basement studio that Jacquie Bradley ran with David Henderson in the ] area of central Glasgow.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name="English" /> <blockquote>“Studio is a loose term. It was a sh**hole.” - Jacquie Bradley.<ref name="Fotheringham" /></blockquote>Despite this, virtually every band that got a record deal did their demos in this tiny studio with Jacquie Bradley and David Henderson. <ref name="Fotheringham" />The girls would also sneak downstairs to use other bands' kit, namely ] and ].<ref name="English" /><blockquote>“We’d be rushing in as all these bands were coming out – Simple Minds, Aztec Camera, The Bluebells, ] – and ], of course – ], ], ]... anybody who was anybody.”<ref name="Fotheringham" /></blockquote> | ||
| === Early success === | === Early success === | ||
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| === His Latest Flame === | === His Latest Flame === | ||
| This change in lineup (with new vocalist ]) led to the group changing their name to ''].'' Drummer Jacquie Bradley would also later leave the band when she too became pregnant.<ref name="English" /> | This change in lineup (with new vocalist ]) led to a rift and the group changing their name to ''].'' Drummer Jacquie Bradley would also later leave the band when she too became pregnant.<ref name="English" /> | ||
| ''His Latest Flame'' released several singles in the late 80's before deciding to call it a day.<ref name=":2" /> | ''His Latest Flame'' released several singles in the late 80's before deciding to call it a day.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
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| == Later life and legacy == | == Later life and legacy == | ||
| Jacquie Bradley became a depute headteacher |
In later years, Jacquie Bradley became a depute headteacher before retiring to the ]. Libby McArthur is an actor appearing in the soap opera '']'' and a ] celebrant. Tricia Reid became head of the school of arts and communication design at ]. Irene Brown works in the care and social work sector while Laura Mazzolini is a company director. (Mazzolini's other half, ] also happens to found a certain fame & success).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1995-09-08 |title=The trick is to be versatile |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12089299.the-trick-is-to-be-versatile/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| All five original band members kept in close touch through the years.<ref name="Fotheringham" /><blockquote>“We never really came apart... It was like having sisters. When I left the band I had such a hard time not being around them any more. We were very lucky to have had that.”- Laura Mazzolini, bassist.<ref name="Fotheringham" /></blockquote>Sophisticated Boom Boom were featured in the 2024 documentary film, ''Since Yesterday,'' which traces the evolution of trailblazing Scottish girl groups and female-led bands<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Brian |date=20 May 2018 |title=Film puts spotlight on Scotland's female pop and rock stars |url=https://global-factiva-com.eux.idm.oclc.org/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9UNI038300&an=SC00000020180519ee5j00234&drn=drn%3aarchive.newsarticle.SC00000020180519ee5j00234&cat=a&ep=ASI |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref> and includes personal anecdotes from the five band members.<ref name=":4" /> | |||
| {{Quotebox | {{Quotebox | ||
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| We were amazingly, weirdly confident. We were around at the right time and just thought, well, everyone else is doing it, so we can too.<br> | We were amazingly, weirdly confident. We were around at the right time and just thought, well, everyone else is doing it, so we can too.<br> | ||
| | author = <br>'''Tricia Reid, ''Sophisticated Boom Boom'' guitarist speaking at the documentary's gala screening.<ref name="Fotheringham"/> |
| author = <br>'''Tricia Reid, ''Sophisticated Boom Boom'' guitarist speaking at the documentary's gala screening.<ref name="Fotheringham"/> | ||
| | fontsize = 100 | |||
| | bgcolor = #e1f5fe | |||
| | quoted = | |||
| }} | |||
| <br><br><br><br><br><br><br> | <br><br><br><br><br><br><br> | ||
Revision as of 20:35, 29 November 2024
| Sophisticated Boom Boom | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Pop-punk, New wave |
| Years active | 1981-1983 |
| Labels | Last Night From Glasgow |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Sophisticated Boom Boom are a Scottish girl group, initially forming in 1981 and disbanding in 1983. The five-piece all-girl act were formed from a group of pals and became a trailblazing mainstay in the early 1980s Glasgow music scene.
Their "tough girl pop sound" was reminiscent of the Undertones, the Bluebells and the Mo-dettes.
History
Beginnings
The band started from five friends from Glasgow deciding to make music together. Libby McArthur and Jacquie Bradley were school pals. McArthur found herself working in a community centre in the Gorbals performing puppet shows after her application to attend drama school had come to nothing. It was at the community centre that McArthur also met Tricia Reid who was in the exact same position, but could play the guitar. McArthur said to Reid, "I’ve a pal in Castlemilk who also who wants to be in a band, come and we’ll be in a band together?”
Guitarist Irene Brown and bassist, Laura Mazzolini, would go on to join the band a little later.
"Jackie and I started making music in her bedroom on a Farfisa organ that her mum and dad acted as guarantors on from McCormack's (the influential, lamented music shop in Glasgow). Then me and Jackie and Tricia started the band. We were working in a community centre on a YTS at £23.50 a week. I thought it was a great name and it suited us really well. I was wearing frocks with tackety boots, and that was a kind of sophisticated boom boom juxtaposition.
Libby McArthur, vocalist.
The Hellfire Club
The five-piece took their name, Sophisticated Boom Boom, from the B-side by American pop girl group, the Shangri-Las.
Their early punk/rock influences were Siouxsie and the Banshees and Dolly Mixture. The band performed regularly at, and lived above, the Hellfire Club, a rehearsal space and recording basement studio that Jacquie Bradley ran with David Henderson in the St George's Cross area of central Glasgow.
“Studio is a loose term. It was a sh**hole.” - Jacquie Bradley.
Despite this, virtually every band that got a record deal did their demos in this tiny studio with Jacquie Bradley and David Henderson. The girls would also sneak downstairs to use other bands' kit, namely Aztec Camera and Altered Images.
“We’d be rushing in as all these bands were coming out – Simple Minds, Aztec Camera, The Bluebells, Shakin’ Pyramids – and The Dreamboys, of course – Peter Capaldi, Craig Ferguson, Temple Clark... anybody who was anybody.”
Early success
The English radio DJ John Peel went on to champion the band and they recorded three John Peel sessions at Maida Vale Studios in London. After building a loyal following in Scotland they made the cover of the music paper, the NME. The band also appeared on the Channel Four music show, The Tube, and supported gigs with Echo and The Bunnymen.
Sophisticated Boom Boom were due to support Simple Minds at the Glasgow Barrowlands music venue in 1983 when vocalist Libby McArthur discovered she was pregnant. This led to a 'bedroom meeting' to discuss what would happen with the band and McArthur was told the band would go on without her.
McArthur recalled that:
"I remember clearly saying, 'power to your elbow girls, go for it. But you, you and you - don't ever talk to me again. I told them I didn't want anything but insisted they weren't to have the band's name. That was my fit of pique. I was 22, and all the things anyone is at 22....We really felt that the Simple Minds gig at the Barras was going to be the last tuppence in the Penny Falls for us."
His Latest Flame
This change in lineup (with new vocalist Moira Rankin) led to a rift and the group changing their name to His Latest Flame. Drummer Jacquie Bradley would also later leave the band when she too became pregnant.
His Latest Flame released several singles in the late 80's before deciding to call it a day.
Reforming the band
Sophisticated Boom Boom reformed to play at Leith Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of tribute night (named after Strawberry Switchblade’s number one hit, Since Yesterday) to the unsung women pioneers of Scottish pop during the 2018 International Edinburgh Festival.
The band also reunited to perform at a special one-off gig at the Glasgow music venue, Mono, following the release of the 2024 music documentary, Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands. Other artists appearing at the night included Jeanette Gallagher (The McKinleys), Louise Rutkowski (Sunset Gun/ This Mortal Coil) and Hen Hoose.
Members
Members
- Trish Reid - guitar (1981-1983, 2018, 2024)
- Jacquie Bradley - drums (1981-1983, 2018, 2024)
- Laura Mazzolini - bass (1981-1983, 2018, 2024)
- Irene Brown - guitar (1981-1983, 2018, 2024)
- Libby McArthur – vocals (1981-1983, 2018, 2024)
Discography
Compilation albums
- Sophisticated Boom Boom - The Complete Sessions Vinyl LP (2024, Last Night From Glasgow)
Twelve tracks from 3 Separate BBC Peel Sessions in 1981, 1982 & 1983.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "White Horses" | |
| 2. | "Is It About Sex?" | |
| 3. | "Surrender To Me" | |
| 4. | "Joe" | |
| 5. | "Don't Love Me" | |
| 6. | "Hearts On Skates" | |
| 7. | "Stalemates" | |
| 8. | "Instant" | |
| 9. | "Singing Today" | |
| 10. | "Jimmy's In Love" | |
| 11. | "Next Time" | |
| 12. | "Courage" |
Later life and legacy
In later years, Jacquie Bradley became a depute headteacher before retiring to the Isle of Bute. Libby McArthur is an actor appearing in the soap opera River City and a humanist celebrant. Tricia Reid became head of the school of arts and communication design at Reading University. Irene Brown works in the care and social work sector while Laura Mazzolini is a company director. (Mazzolini's other half, Craig Armstrong, also happens to found a certain fame & success).
All five original band members kept in close touch through the years.
“We never really came apart... It was like having sisters. When I left the band I had such a hard time not being around them any more. We were very lucky to have had that.”- Laura Mazzolini, bassist.
Sophisticated Boom Boom were featured in the 2024 documentary film, Since Yesterday, which traces the evolution of trailblazing Scottish girl groups and female-led bands and includes personal anecdotes from the five band members.
The point of the documentary for me, is that it restores to the historical record a sense that some sort of genealogy of girl bands in Scotland actually did exist. These women existed and, pardon my language, were f***ing gallus for even doing it at all... There were lots of reasons not to do it, and the industry itself just focused on what guys did. Apart from maybe Jill and Rose , because Strawberry Switchblade got in the charts.
We were amazingly, weirdly confident. We were around at the right time and just thought, well, everyone else is doing it, so we can too.
Tricia Reid, Sophisticated Boom Boom guitarist speaking at the documentary's gala screening.
References
- ^ "The Complete Sessions 1981-1983 – Sophisticated Boom Boom | Monorail Music". Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Roberts, Lesley (30 January 2005). "Gina"s a vamp at heart so it"s about time she set the vamp free". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Fotheringham, Ann (14 October 2024). "Industry focused on the guys': Scottish 80s girl band reunites". The Herald. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ English, Paul (12 October 2024). "Band wouldn't play with me as pregnant singer". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sophisticated Boom Boom". John Peel Wiki. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- Fotheringham, Ann (25 November 2005). "Glasgow's Lucille Ball Ann Fotheringham dines with River City star Libby McArthur". The Evening Times. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "The Complete Sessions 1981-1983". Proper Music. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- Ainslie, Henry (5 September 2018). "Plenty to muse over for girl band political trailblazers". The Evening Times. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ex-River City star's 80s girl band reunites". The Evening Times. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Sophisticated Boom Boom - The Complete Sessions Vinyl LP". lastnightfromglasgow. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- "The trick is to be versatile". The Herald. 1995-09-08. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- Ferguson, Brian (20 May 2018). "Film puts spotlight on Scotland's female pop and rock stars". The Scotsman. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)