Simon Thompson - Bass Guitar
Gavin Walsh - Drums
Early Daze.
The Nature Things were formed in Blackpool during the September of '89. The very first line up was Christine (Vocals), Damien (guitar), Simon Thompson (Bass) and Gavin Walsh (Drums).
Christine was soon replaced by Brian Hargreaves (Vocals & guitar), who in turn was soon replaced by Craig Fosberry (Vocals & guitar). Ben is roped in on backing vocals.
Craig Fosberry - Vocals & Guitar
With Simons brother-in-law, Paul Wright (Resident DJ at Frim Fram Club / Jenks), taking on management duties, the band record a demo tape & play 4 gigs (including supporting the MOCK TURTLES) before a major bust up leads to Damien & Ben walking out.
The remaining band cancel an appearance at the summerball in Blackpool's Empress Ballroom at the "Winter Gardens" (supporting the "Mock Turtles") and set about finding a replacement guitarist.
Bring on the Noize.
Colin Archer - Guitar
Colin Archer (ex "VINYL MARTYRS" & "STRUM") is recruited on guitar. This line up play their 1st gig at Blackpools "Jenks Bar" suporting "Summerhill".
Over the weekend of the 26th & 27th of May they record a demo tape at "Epic Head Studio's" in Sheffield. This is produced by Nort from "Hula" (and sometimes collabrator with "Cabaret Voltaire").
Band rehearse at Berlin Studios and play several gigs.
As well as playing the North West the band made their first trip to London to support "Bitch Magnet" at Londons Camden Falcon. (Was to have been Slowdive but they were getting to big a following to play there). Unfortunately Bitch Magnet had some of there gear nicked a few days before the gig so they had to borrow stuff from the "Senseless Things" who turned up at the show to watch along with other celebs of the day (Carter, Manic Street Preachers, Mighty Lemon Drops etc etc etc.
The band narrowly miss out on supporting 'The Farm'. There lead singer is mugged in Paris days before the gig so had to make do with supporting last minute replacements "Madjack's" (from Manchester) instead.
They then get to play Liverpools "Earthbeat 90" festival in "Sefton Park". They play immediately before the "Boo Radleys" (who headline that night). This was to be the first of several support slots with the Boo Radleys who were on the Action Records label as well. A video of this exists somewhere.
Whilst supporting the "Jerks" at Oldham the audience contain none other than the "Inspiral Carpets" and there road-crew who had come to watch their friends the "Jerks" play.
Rumour has it that one of the most famous ex-roadie's in history was present that night. If you know for sure then let us know, if not then take it as fact!.
Four songs from this show are used as a demo tape to procur further gigs.
Pump up the Volume.
Colin, Craig, Simon, Bongo, Karl
Bongo (Lee Threlfall) is recruited on guitar to leave Craig free to concentrate on vocals.
Shortly after Gavin (Drums) leaves & Karl Gregory (ex - "RIK RAK") replaces him.
With a heavier sound it's not long before the boyz embark on there 1st tour (The Psychic Pig Tour).
This line up get to support Darkside, Slowdive , Midway Still , Senseless Things, Blur, Boo Radleys, Galleon Drunk & Lush amongst others.
A near fatal van crash in the early hours on the way home after supporting the Boo Radleys nearly cuts short the bands carer but they rise from the wreckage and live to play another day.
Lucid EP.
In March '91 the boys record their 12" Lucid E.P. at The Doves own "Out of the Blue Studios" in Manchester. It is produced by Adam Lesser.
They record a video for the title track "Shy me" which is later played on "TVS" programe "This way out".
On the xx/xx/xxxx "Lucid" is released as a 12" on Preston's Action Records (Take 6). "Shy Me" gets it's first national radio airing on Mark Goodiers Radio 1 show.
The band start appearing in the weekly music papers ie Melody Maker, NME etc
They record 3 more songs for their next single. The songs recorded are "Jumping the Gun", "Individual Me" & "Destiny" at Manchesters "Out of the Blue" studios.
They then record a further batch of songs for the 2nd single. These are "It wouldn't hurt to ask", "Needle", "Paradise" & "How it feels", again at Manchesters "Out of the Blue" studios.
A new begining.
Simon leaves in October, so Bongo swaps onto bass & Kev (ex "REASONS Y") joins on Guitar.
But Bongo then leaves to join "FUZED" as singer so Brian (ex "Rik Rak") is recriuted on Bass.
Things don't work out so replacements for Kev & Brain are sought leading to cancellatons of gigs including supports with "Spiritulaized" and the "Cranes".
Ex "IMAGINARY" members Frenchy (Bass) & Mark Grey (Guitar) are recruited.
After extensive gigging this line up draws the attention of Dead Dead Good amongst others. After watching the band several times live Dead Dead Good get as far as coming to meet the band during there rehersal sessions.
This line up get to support Edsel Auctioneer, Kingmaker, Bleach, Ukraniuns & PJ Harvey amongst others.
The begining of the end.
Things go wrong when manager Paul gets sent to Saudi with his job.
Scorpio Arising manager is keen to take the band under his wing but only if Dead Dead Good will sign. Dead Dead Good will only sign if he takes over as manager from Paul. No one wants to make first move and the band begin to loose heart.
Mark (Gtr) leaves to concentrate on his own music so Darren, ex-"CHERRYDALES" guitarist joins as a replacement. This line up plays it's only gig supporting the Telescopes. Get no soundcheck & Darren's string snaps midset. End up finnishing as a 4 piece!
Band decide to stay as a 4 piece, continue rehearsing and virtually write a new set. They play their final gig on the 02/09/92, at Blackpool's one & only "Tasche" night club.
Date Town Venue Other BandsLine up 3