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Revision as of 19:08, 29 November 2024 by Stinglehammer (talk | contribs) (→Legacy: quote box)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Sophisticated Boom Boom | |
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| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Pop-punk, New wave |
| Years active | 1981-1983 |
| Labels | Piao!, Vesuvius, Guided Missile, Southern Records |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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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.
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. They 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.
Libby McArthur, vocalist."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.
They performed regularly at, and lived above, the Hellfire Club, a rehearsal space and recording studio on Carnarvon Street in the St George's Cross area of central Glasgow.
The English radio DJ John Peel went on to champion them and the band performed 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."
His Latest Flame
This change in lineup (with new vocalist Moira Rankin) led to the group changing their name to His Latest Flame. 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 have 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.
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" |
Legacy
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 band members.
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) - ^ 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.
- 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)