Luigi were a 70s band... But...
Some 'History'...
Formed in 1976 out of a Leeds 'school' band (originally 'Gnome's Law') Luigi Anada Boys became a much respected, hard working West Yorkshire band, playing all over the UK during the late 70s. Their twin-lead-guitar attack soon gained them critical acclaim and many loyal fans. They made an unusual step forward in 1978 by self-financing their own debut recording - a fully fledged vinyl LP - at a time when 'unsigned' bands usually strived to make a single or EP.
This album 'Feeling the Ceiling', despite being a limited edition of a mere 1000 copies, gained them a much larger following and was even championed by the late, great John Peel (with repeat plays on his BBC radio programme) - John introduced one track, one time, by saying 'And now, here's a bunch of itinerate waiters from Leeds!'
Luigi's original line-up was Duncan McFarlane on guitar & lead vocals, Martin Llewellyn on guitar, Dave Roberts on bass & backing vocals and Rob Steeles on drums. But after just the one gig, Martin L left and was replaced by Geoff Taylor; And so, the 'classic' twin-guitar line up began gigging in earnest, achieving cult status locally - and then UK-wide, after many forays further and further afield. It was a great pity then, in summer 1977, after the LP was recorded and doing so well for them, that the usual band-splitting chestnut of 'musical differences' kicked in. Suddenly everyone realised that a 'writer/composer' got a better deal than a mere 'player'. Coupled with this came Duncan's refusal to sign a 'Publishing Deal' after realising that such a contract tied him to three years of writing/producing two albums a year - which the company then had the right to decide whether to bother to release, or NOT! The band in turmoil, Geoff and Dave made their respective exits.
They were replaced by two ex-members of another fine Leeds band that had already disbanded - 'Jobe St. Day' - Phil Cockerham on guitar, Dave Turner on bass - both of whom were also fine singers! The new line-up gigged round the UK, all the while trying to hold down 'day jobs'. The strain, eventually, proving too great - and founder member Duncan left, resulting in Phil also calling it a day. Dave Turner kept the band on the road for a few months more, still playing mostly Duncan's material; But having added a keyboard-player and just the one guitarist as replacements, the Luigi 'trademark' sound was over and done - And to be honest, there should have been a band name-change, at that point, to protect the original band's hard-earned reputation as a twin-guitar-attack outfit! There is no doubt it was no longer 'Luigi Anada Boys' (IMHO) from there onward, and we have no interest in documenting anything that transpired after the band's original ethos and character, in effect, was totally lost and gone. C'est la vie!
Duncan & Geoff soon re-united and have played in band's together ever since those late 70s, right up to their present day involvment in TWO bands! - Well over thirty years as guitar sparring partners! Our good mate, Phil, is still involved too - occasionally standing in as 'guest' with G & D - bless! Phil, like Duncan, also pursues an acoustic 'solo' career, both playing folk clubs and festivals in their own rite We have no idea where Dave T is these days, but Dave R still plays bass (we notice) in a 'wedding band'! Rob Steeles seems to have retired from playing drums, but still turns up, once in a while, for a natter and a pint with G & D at either of their two bands's gigs - the folk-rock Duncan McFarlane Band - and a pub-rock band, just for fun, called Taylor Max. - Click the relevant Myspace links on the 'Top Friends' part of this site!)
All four of the 'classic' line-up, that recorded the vinyl LP, met up at a Duncan McFarlane Band gig, Christmas 2009 - see the photo page of this site!
Of late (time of writing, Feb 2011) Geoff & Duncan are currently re-recording the 'Feeling the Ceiling' album! For a start, we're re-instating the 'missing' section that was dropped (to trim it down for the album version) from 'Last Supper'; And also recording the 'full' version of 'J'Accuse', which out of neccessity, had to be faded out at its end due to the limitations of a 'side of vinyl'! We'll also be recording some 'classic' Luigi gig favourites that (in hindsight) should have been strong contenders for a place on the original album - 'Sneaky Song' and 'Too much to lose' for example. These will be worthy additions to the titles from the original LP, for sure - and also bring the total playing-time up to the more modern CD length!
The Taylor Max Band, in 2011, play five of the old Luigi catalogue numbers in their current set - and we expect that number to increase as the year progresses - we rock on!
Formed in 1976 out of a Leeds 'school' band (originally 'Gnome's Law') Luigi Anada Boys became a much respected, hard working West Yorkshire band, playing all over the UK during the late 70s. Their twin-lead-guitar attack soon gained them critical acclaim and many loyal fans. They made an unusual step forward in 1978 by self-financing their own debut recording - a fully fledged vinyl LP - at a time when 'unsigned' bands usually strived to make a single or EP.
This album 'Feeling the Ceiling', despite being a limited edition of a mere 1000 copies, gained them a much larger following and was even championed by the late, great John Peel (with repeat plays on his BBC radio programme) - John introduced one track, one time, by saying 'And now, here's a bunch of itinerate waiters from Leeds!'
Luigi's original line-up was Duncan McFarlane on guitar & lead vocals, Martin Llewellyn on guitar, Dave Roberts on bass & backing vocals and Rob Steeles on drums. But after just the one gig, Martin L left and was replaced by Geoff Taylor; And so, the 'classic' twin-guitar line up began gigging in earnest, achieving cult status locally - and then UK-wide, after many forays further and further afield. It was a great pity then, in summer 1977, after the LP was recorded and doing so well for them, that the usual band-splitting chestnut of 'musical differences' kicked in. Suddenly everyone realised that a 'writer/composer' got a better deal than a mere 'player'. Coupled with this came Duncan's refusal to sign a 'Publishing Deal' after realising that such a contract tied him to three years of writing/producing two albums a year - which the company then had the right to decide whether to bother to release, or NOT! The band in turmoil, Geoff and Dave made their respective exits.
They were replaced by two ex-members of another fine Leeds band that had already disbanded - 'Jobe St. Day' - Phil Cockerham on guitar, Dave Turner on bass - both of whom were also fine singers! The new line-up gigged round the UK, all the while trying to hold down 'day jobs'. The strain, eventually, proving too great - and founder member Duncan left, resulting in Phil also calling it a day. Dave Turner kept the band on the road for a few months more, still playing mostly Duncan's material; But having added a keyboard-player and just the one guitarist as replacements, the Luigi 'trademark' sound was over and done - And to be honest, there should have been a band name-change, at that point, to protect the original band's hard-earned reputation as a twin-guitar-attack outfit! There is no doubt it was no longer 'Luigi Anada Boys' (IMHO) from there onward, and we have no interest in documenting anything that transpired after the band's original ethos and character, in effect, was totally lost and gone. C'est la vie!
Duncan & Geoff soon re-united and have played in band's together ever since those late 70s, right up to their present day involvment in TWO bands! - Well over thirty years as guitar sparring partners! Our good mate, Phil, is still involved too - occasionally standing in as 'guest' with G & D - bless! Phil, like Duncan, also pursues an acoustic 'solo' career, both playing folk clubs and festivals in their own rite We have no idea where Dave T is these days, but Dave R still plays bass (we notice) in a 'wedding band'! Rob Steeles seems to have retired from playing drums, but still turns up, once in a while, for a natter and a pint with G & D at either of their two bands's gigs - the folk-rock Duncan McFarlane Band - and a pub-rock band, just for fun, called Taylor Max. - Click the relevant Myspace links on the 'Top Friends' part of this site!)
All four of the 'classic' line-up, that recorded the vinyl LP, met up at a Duncan McFarlane Band gig, Christmas 2009 - see the photo page of this site!
Of late (time of writing, Feb 2011) Geoff & Duncan are currently re-recording the 'Feeling the Ceiling' album! For a start, we're re-instating the 'missing' section that was dropped (to trim it down for the album version) from 'Last Supper'; And also recording the 'full' version of 'J'Accuse', which out of neccessity, had to be faded out at its end due to the limitations of a 'side of vinyl'! We'll also be recording some 'classic' Luigi gig favourites that (in hindsight) should have been strong contenders for a place on the original album - 'Sneaky Song' and 'Too much to lose' for example. These will be worthy additions to the titles from the original LP, for sure - and also bring the total playing-time up to the more modern CD length!
The Taylor Max Band, in 2011, play five of the old Luigi catalogue numbers in their current set - and we expect that number to increase as the year progresses - we rock on!
Great LP having just listened to the copy I bought only this week. Was a cover ever designed for it or was it as said elsewhere online just a white card cover with insert?
ReplyDeleteGreat LP having just listened to the copy I bought only this week. Was a cover ever designed for it or was it as said elsewhere online just a white card cover with insert?
ReplyDeleteI think it was a very pale fawn colour with an insert, or it may have a logo on, I only listen to the CD version now, the LP is in the loft
ReplyDelete