Song Of the Day: March 1, 2005
Tucked inside the awesome picture sleeve is a disc we like so much that our first choice for the name of this blog was lovelycrashes.com. The Dazzlers had at least three singles and an LP, though we've never seen the latter. Another example of the huge influence of the Who upon many of the major label UK power pop bands, even the ones who weren't overtly part of the Mod Revival spearheaded by the Jam. It's interesting to contrast this with US power pop bands of the same era who tended to have influences that were either closer to home (the Byrds), wimpier (Merseybeat), more commercial (AOR bands like Journey), or keyboard driven "new wave" acts (The Cars).
7 Comments:
God, that's good. That guy sings his ASS off.
That bridge is amazing.
Has a better chorus ever been written?
This one has made insignificant all the choruses I have ever known, reducing them to mere refrains.
I was the drummer in The Dazzlers (I'm the one in pink trousers in the pic - we were all supposed to jump in the air but I forgot to in this shot and it was thought cool enough to use on the cover).
The band was formed by Rob Harper (guitarist and songwriter - confusingly also drummer, for a brief period, with The Clash). I'd been drumming for a few months and answered an ad in Melody Maker and got the job. The band I joined already had a singer - Charlie Harper (UK Subs) - but we decided his image wasn't right and that we would never get anywhere if we kept him. Silly really in retrospect. We did however get a deal and released three singles on Charisma but all failed to chart. Unfortunately 'Powerpop' had gone from being fashionable to totally uncool in the space of about a month.
The band split before the album was released in the UK. It was produced by Tommy Erdelyi ('Tommy Ramone') and there are copies of it around (I have one). I've a feeling it was later released in a small run, but perhaps not in the UK.
Charlie Harper, (no relation to Rob Harper) was never in the Dazzlers, although Rob Harper was in the UK Subs, (at the same time as he was forming The Dazzlers!). Maybe you misquoted Dave...
Misquoted who?
To clarify: I joined a band that was comprised of Rob Harper, Charlie Harper and Steve Slack. After I joined, and having rehearsed for a few weeks, Rob Harper, Steve Slack and I decided we wanted a different singer. You could say we expelled Charlie Harper or you could say we left en masse 'to form the Dazzlers'. Six of one, half a dozen etc.
Whichever way you look at it the name 'The Dazzlers' came much later so it's true to say that Charlie Harper was never a member of the Dazzlers, which I never claimed he was!
And, to be fair to Charlie Harper, I have a huge admiration for him for having the strength of character to ignore criticism and go on and make a successful career.
The band was first called "The Heartdrops", of which I was a member, along with Steve Slack, Rob Harper and David Ingelsfield.
Charlie Harper was never in the band as he was in the UK Subs at the time, (and he used to cut my hair for me).
My then girlfriend, Jane, thought of the name "The Dazzlers".
So, Dave, may wish to check your memory for the true details for your previous posts.....
A new Record Company site tribute to the Dazzlers is being planned, so look out for that one....
Dave - if this is really you, please get in touch.
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