birdland

Birdlandwith a hollow heart

Who?One of the few acts to come successfully from Coventry - actually, that's probably unfair, isn't it, what with The Specials, and all. They wore black, they bleached their hair blond, they ;looked the part and were happy to be incendiary in an indie environment

Essential?Hollow Heart, Sleep With Me, the unfortunately titled Rock and Roll Nigger - NWA can carry it off, lads, but they're not acne-riddled english white boys; obviously your Patti Smith obsession made you think you could get away with it, too. Lazy Records is the name to look out for.

Popstars in Reduced Circumstances?The band never quite got taken to people's hearts and, although they probably would claim that was how they'd like it, it must have hurt and they sort of just drifted away, largely unmourned..

In a nutshell, then:A bunch of sexy-as-fuck lads chancing their arms and shouting a bit. Or a poor man's Jesus and Mary Chain

Never mind the music, give us trivia:Wasn't one of them kicked out the Primitives for being cruel to cats, or have we dreamed that? Named after Charlie Parker doodlings.

Or, at least, that's what we thought we had.

Then we got an email from a friend of the brothers:

Hello, Your facts on Birdland coming from Coventry is totally incorrect! they actually come from Birmingham they lived in Kingsbury near Tamworth, I know this as I managed and work with both the now legendary Vincent brothers on a number of occasions. Lead guitarist Lee Vincent not long after Birdland finished Lee headed up a 3 piece band circa 1995/6 "Capriccio" for a year or so before moving to NYC where he currently lives Dj's and has just formed a new indy rock band, his brother Robert ex Birdland front man has had a number of bands since the Birdland days his current band is "Neutron Stars" is based in Nottingham Paul Alley Ex Manager and friend of Lee / Robert Vincent

Then, we got a further email:

Thanks for updating its amazing that once the wrong info is either mentioned once or written down incorrectly how grows and becomes fact. Nice website by the way very good.

I'm trying to remember other facts about Birdland that I can think of for you: Did you know that the Manic Street Preachers would have never been formed if it hadn't been for Birdlands inspiration, as the Manics including Richie Edwards who was the biggest Birdland fan ever (boy! did they copy Birdland early on!) use to turn up to the Birdland gigs with NME / Melody Maker front covers featuring photo's of Birdland stuck onto the back of their jackets and were constantly asking for autographs.

Infact when interviewed for the NME on a number of occasions James Dean Bradfield and others named the best gig they ever saw was Birdland and how strongly they were influenced by Birdland. I do remember Lee and I getting free tickets for the Manics big shows in London during mid 90's so they didn't forget him.

. As far as I know no member of Birdland was ever was part of the group the Primitives, but they did share the same record label Lazy at one point. Although it did look like at one point, Lee might form a group with the fantastic Wendy James ex of Transvision Vamp (who also is living currently in NYC), but by 1995. but that didn't work out for one reason or another. by late 95 Lee was petty bored of the UK as no record company would pick up his new band Capriccio.who did look and sound alot like plueabo(right spelling?) There had been talk of reforming Birdland a couple of years back but Rob V didn't seem interested.