The Wildhearts are a British rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne. Formed in 1989, the group originally consisted of vocalist Stuart "Snake" Neale, guitarists Ginger (born David Walls) and C.J. Wildheart (real name Chris Jagdhar), bassist Julien "Joolz" Dean, and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph. After several early lineup changes, Ginger took over as lead vocalist and has remained in this role ever since. The current lineup of the Wildhearts also includes bassist "Random" Jon Poole (who first joined in 2003, and most recently rejoined in 2024), alongside 2024 additions Ben Marsden on guitar and Pontus Snibb on drums.
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History
edit1989–1999
editGinger formed the Wild Hearts in August 1989.[1] The original lineup featured vocalist Stuart "Snake" Neale, guitarist Chris "C.J." Wildheart, bassist Julien "Joolz" Dean and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph.[2] The band went through a number of personnel changes during 1990 and 1991: first, Pat "Panache" Walters replaced Stidolph; in the summer of 1990, Neale briefly left and was replaced by Dunken Francis Mullett; in March 1991, Neale left permanently and the group became a four-piece with Ginger on vocals; and in mid-1991, Danny McCormack replaced Dean.[3] By October 1991, Walters had been replaced by Bam Ross, with whom the group recorded Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go and Don't Be Happy... Just Worry; around the time of the latter's November 1992 release, Ross was replaced by the returning Stidolph.[3]
With Stidolph back in the band, the Wildhearts released Earth vs the Wildhearts in 1993, before Ritch Battersby took over on drums that October.[4] His first recordings with the band were the 1994 single "Caffeine Bomb" and second album Fishing for Luckies.[5][6] Early the same year, keyboardist Willie Dowling – who had previously performed on Earth vs the Wildhearts – joined the Wildhearts' touring lineup.[7] In July, C.J. was fired from the Wildhearts due to "personal reasons", with Ginger claiming: "We fell out on the last tour and haven't really got on for the last two years."[8] In his place, former Vai guitarist Devin Townsend joined as touring guitarist.[8] Dowling played his last show with the Wildhearts at Reading Festival in August 1994, while Townsend remained for a European tour supporting Suicidal Tendencies in September.[7]
The Wildhearts returned in early 1995 with temporary touring guitarist Mark Keds, who remained until July when he was fired for failing to turn up for a show.[9] After a short period performing as a trio for the first time, the band introduced Jef Streatfield as C.J.'s permanent replacement in October 1995, who debuted on Endless, Nameless.[4] Upon the album's release in October 1997, Ginger decided to disband the group due to drug addiction problems amongst certain band members.[10] After their breakup, the band reformed on two occasions – first in October 1998 for a short tour of Japan,[11] and again in August 1999 for a one-off show in the country.[12]
2001–2022
editAfter Ginger teased a reunion a couple of months earlier,[13] in April 2001 it was announced that the Wildhearts would return for a string of UK shows that June.[14] The lineup was completed with the additions of guitarist C.J. Wildhearts, bassist Danny McCormack and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph, marking a reunion of the Earth vs the Wildhearts incarnation of the group.[15] Early into the first tour, however, McCormack was forced to leave due to ongoing problems with heroin addiction, with Toshi Ogawa temporarily taking his place.[16] By late August, McCormack had returned to the band.[17] Due to the bassist's ongoing struggles, however, Ginger performed bass on the band's next album, 2003's The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed.[18] During a tour in April 2003, prior to the album's release, McCormack left again to enter rehabilitation, with "Random" Jon Poole taking his place.[19]
With new bassist Poole, the Wildhearts toured until the end of 2004. In early 2005, Ginger briefly joined Brides of Destruction, although assured that the Wildhearts were not breaking up.[20] The band returned in July, with Ginger and C.J. reuniting with McCormack and drummer Ritch Battersby for a one-off performance at In the Castle festival in September.[21] A year-long unofficial hiatus followed, before the band were joined by bassist Scott Sorry in November 2006, with whom Ginger had briefly worked in Brides of Destruction.[22] Sorry performed on 2007's The Wildhearts, 2008's Stop Us If You've Heard This One Before, Vol 1. and 2009's ¡Chutzpah!, before the band went on another hiatus when Ginger joined Michael Monroe's solo touring band.[23] Ahead of a return gig in December 2012, Sorry was replaced by the returning Poole.[24]
Sorry returned in November 2013.[25] Ahead of a P.H.U.Q. anniversary tour in 2015, Poole returned again.[26] After appearing as a guest during some of the band's encores,[27] McCormack rejoined the band in early 2018 for the Britrock Must Be Destroyed tour.[28] The band released Renaissance Men, their first album in ten years, in 2019.[29] This was followed in 2021 by 21st Century Love Songs.[30] By March 2022, the group had disbanded again due to "ongoing issues within the band".[31]
Since 2024
editIn January 2024, the Wildhearts announced that they were returning for a show that June, unveiling a new lineup featuring returning bassist Jon Poole, new guitarist Ben Marsden and new drummer Pontus Snibb.[32]
Members
editCurrent
edit| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger Wildheart (David Walls) |
|
|
all Wildhearts releases | |
| "Random" Jon Poole |
|
|
| |
| Ben Marsden | 2024–present |
|
Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts (2025) | |
| Pontus Snibb |
|
Former
edit| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Wildheart (Chris Jagdhar) |
|
|
| |
| Julien "Joolz" Dean | 1989–1991 |
|
The Wildhearts (2007) – guest appearance on backing vocals | |
| Stuart "Snake" Neale |
|
lead vocals | none | |
| Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph |
|
drums |
| |
| Pat "Panache" Walters | 1990–1991 | none | ||
| Dunken Francis Mullett | 1990 | lead vocals | ||
| Danny McCormack |
|
|
| |
| Bam Ross | 1991–1992 | drums |
| |
| Ritch Battersby |
|
|
| |
| Jef Streatfield |
|
|
| |
| Scott Sorry (Gerard Scott) |
|
|
all Wildhearts releases from The Wildhearts (2007) to ¡Chutzpah! Jnr. (2009) |
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Touring
edit| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Dowling | 1994 |
|
Dowling joined the touring lineup of the Wildhearts in early 1994. He had previously performed on Earth vs the Wildhearts and later featured on Fishing for Luckies and P.H.U.Q.[7] | |
| Devin Townsend |
|
After guitarist C.J. Wildheart was fired in July 1994, Townsend joined the Wildhearts' touring lineup. He remained until the final tour dates of the year in September.[7] | ||
| Mark Keds | 1995 (died 2021) | When the band returned to touring in early 1995, the role of second guitarist was taken by Keds. He was confirmed as a member of the band in the summer, but was fired in July for not turning up for a show.[9] | ||
| Toshi Ogawa | 2001 |
|
Shortly after the Wildhearts embarked on their reunion tour in June 2001, Danny McCormack was forced to leave due to problems with heroin addiction. He was replaced by Ogawa until late-August.[16][17] |
Timeline
edit
Line-ups
edit| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| August 1989 – 1990 |
|
none |
| 1990 |
| |
| 1990 |
| |
| 1990 – March 1991 |
| |
| March – mid-1991 |
| |
| Mid – October 1991 |
| |
| October 1991 – November 1992 |
|
|
| November 1992 – October 1993 |
|
|
| October 1993 – March 1994 |
|
|
| March – July 1994 |
|
|
| July – August 1994 (temporary touring lineup) |
|
|
| August – September 1994 (temporary touring lineup) |
|
none |
| January – July 1995 (temporary touring lineup) |
| |
| July – September 1995 (temporary touring lineup) |
| |
| October 1995 – October 1997 |
|
|
| Band inactive November 1997 – September 1998 | ||
| October 1998 (temporary touring lineup) |
|
|
| Band inactive November 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| August 1999 (one-off live performance) |
|
none |
| Band inactive September 1999 – February 2001 | ||
| March – June 2001 |
|
none |
| June – August 2001 (temporary touring lineup) |
| |
| August 2001 – April 2003 |
|
|
| April 2003 – July 2005 |
|
|
| July – September 2005 (temporary touring lineup) |
|
|
| November 2006 – December 2012 |
|
|
| December 2012 – November 2013 |
|
|
| November 2013 – spring 2015 |
|
none |
| Spring 2015 – early 2018 |
|
|
| Early 2018 – March 2022 |
|
|
| Band inactive April 2022 – December 2023 | ||
| January 2024 – present |
|
|
References
edit- ^ "20 Questions with The Wildhearts' Ginger, 7/27/99". Metal Sludge. 27 July 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "History 1962–1990". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "History 1990–1993". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "The Wildhearts Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Howard (1994). "The Story Behind the Song: The Wildhearts – Caffeine Bomb". Raw. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Jeffries, Neil (2 May 2019). "The Wildhearts' Renaissance Men is dark, heavy... and triumphant". Classic Rock. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d "History 1994". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b Wright, Jonathan (29 July 1994). "UK Music News" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 385. Medford, New Jersey: The Hard Report. p. 59. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "History 1995". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Moores, JR (23 April 2018). "The Wildhearts". Record Collector. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "History 1998". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Ask Ginger August 1999". The Wildhearts. 22 August 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "'Hearts Beat Again". NME. 26 February 2001. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Will The People Still Wanna Go Where The Wildhearts Go?". NME. 4 April 2001. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Wildheart, Ginger (19 March 2001). "Ginger Says – I'm in love with the rock 'n' roll world". The Wildhearts. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Archive News Jun 20, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. 20 June 2001. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Archive News Aug 23, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. 23 August 2001. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Carter, Eddie (11 February 2020). "The Wildhearts Must Be Loved, If You Wish". Bearded Gentlemen Music. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Wildhearts Bassist Back In Rehab". Blabbermouth.net. 7 April 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "New Brides Of Destruction Guitarist Ginger Says He's Not Leaving The Wildhearts". Blabbermouth.net. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Original Lineup Of The Wildhearts To Headline U.K.'s In The Castle Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 9 July 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Wildhearts Joined By Ex-Amen, Brides Of Destruction Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Wildhearts Frontman Talks About Joining Michael Monroe's New Band". Blabbermouth.net. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Scott Sorry Bids Farewell To The Wildhearts". The Wildhearts. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Wildhearts on tour in April also – with Hey! Hello! opening". The Moshville Times. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Wildhearts – PHUQ tour". The Wildhearts. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Danny McCormack Set To Guest With The Wildhearts As U.K. Dates Announced". Eon Music. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Comfort in Sound – for Danny McCormack vocals & bassist with The Main Grains/Wildhearts". Gary Alikivi. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "The Wildhearts set to release first new album in 10 years & add shows to UK tour". The Rockpit. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Carter, Emily (19 April 2021). "The Wildhearts announce new album, 21st Century Love Songs". Kerrang!. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Colothan, Scott (24 January 2024). "The Wildhearts announce new line-up and world exclusive concert". Planet Rock. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ Lewry, Fraser (24 January 2024). ""Come and celebrate the new beginning with us": The Wildhearts announce return with new lineup and one-off live show featuring "biggest production" yet". Classic Rock. Retrieved 20 March 2024.