Snuff (band)
Snuff are a British band formed in
1986 who primarily play punk rock, but have also veered off into Dub and Ska at times. Their name reportedly came about after a long discussion about names ended up with one of them claiming 'That's Enough', which was then shortened to Snuff. The original line up was Duncan Redmonds on drums and vocals, Simon Wells on guitar and vocals, and Andy Crighton on bass and vocals.
Snuff have released their material through a variety of independent labels including their own,
10past12records, as well as on
Fat Wreck Chords label owned by
Fat Mike of
NOFX.
Their first album was named
Snuffsaidbutgorblimeyguvstonemeifhedidntthrowawobblerchachachachachachachachachachachayouregoinghomeinacosmicambience, which started their habit of playing on their supposed Cockney roots. When playing live, their live set involves lots of playful banter between band members as well as with the audience, with set lists normally being ignored in favour of requests. If requested songs are too popular the audience member who requested it is invited on stage to sing it themselves. The best example of this is on their website only live album 'Minidisc No Gaffer', where a Japanese member of the audience was invited onstage to sing their high-octane cover version of traditional Japanese song 'Dango San Kyodai', resulting in the band acknowledging that he sang it better than they could.
Following up from their first album was the 'mini-album'
Flibbiddydibbiddydob, featuring mainly cover songs and TV commercial jingles reworked by the band. The release was the subject of a disgreement with the
British Phonographic Industry (BPI); Snuff maintained it was an EP - and as such should be eligible for the UK singles chart - but the BPI insisted on classifying it as an album because of the large number of tracks.
In
1991, Snuff went their separate ways. During this period all three members applied for to be
bass player for
Leatherface, a British
punk band. The breakup also spawned
Guns n' Wankers and
Your Mum.
1994 saw a new Snuff appear on the music market; the band lineup now included
Hammond and
trombone players, helping to define Snuff's new sound. Simon Wells had by this point left the band and had been replaced by Loz Wong who had performed as part of Your Mum, and Andy Crighton was replaced by Lee Batsford on bass, with Duncan's brother Dave added on Trombone. They soon released a Christmas single, "What Ever Happened to the Likely Lads", often played on
John Peel's
radio show.
Steve Lamacq has also featured Snuff on his radio show. Simon Wells has since formed 'Southport', and still plays occasionally with Duncan under the name 'Footballer's Wives'. Since the release of 'Blue Gravy: Phase 9', Paul Thompson of Midway Still has also guested on guitar and vocals.
In
2005 Snuff released a Greatest Hits double CD featuring fan-favourites and previously unreleased tracks such as "Hokey Cokey" and "Any Old Iron". Since then they have been on hiatus, but rumors of reunion shows are always rife on their record label's website. Also in
2005, Duncan Redmonds released a self-titled solo project CD
Billy No Mates, and at live shows his solo material is combined with some Snuff and Guns n' Wankers songs. Duncan has said that although he plays all the instruments on his solo albums, whilst touring he continues to sing and drum at the same time as he finds it easier than singing and playing guitar.
Studio Albums
Singles
* Not Listening (7"/CD)
* 1990 Tour Flexi (7")
* Cubical (7")
* That's Fine (7"/CD)
* 100% Recyclable Punk (7")
* Christmas Single (Theme From
"Whatever Happened to The Likely Lads" (7"))
* Long Ball To No-One (7"/CD)
* Do DO DO (7"/CD)
* Gandara and Friends (7"/CD)
* Nick Motown (7"/CD) (
Scminkie Minkie Pinkie (USA) (7"/CD))
* Yuki (7"/CD)
* In The Fishtank (CD)
* Oishe Deh (CD)
* Australian Tour (7"/CD)
* Down By Yurr (7"/CD)
* What's In The Pasties (CD)
* Sweet Days (7"/CD)
* Blue Gravy (2x7"/CD)
* VS Urban Dub (CD)
* Blue Gravy Dub Versions (CD)
* Chocs Away (CD)
* Blue Gravy VS Urban Dub (CD)
* Innafayce (CD)
* Greasy Hair Makes Money (CD)
* A Lover's Concerto (Digital Download Only)
Comedy Cover & Theme Tune Singles
*
I Try (
Macy Grey)
*
Wannabe (
Spice Girls)
*
Standing in the Shadows of Love (
The Four Tops)
*
I Will Survive (
Gloria Gaynor)
*
Soul Limbo (
Theme Tune)
*
Match of the Day (
Theme Tune)
*
I Think We're Alone Now (
Tommy James & the Shondells,
Tiffany)
Video
* High Octane Video Wounders (DVD/VHS)
* http://www.snuff.net
* http://www.10past12records.com/
