The Apollinaires

The Apollinaires were a British 2 Tone/post-punk group from Leicester, England, signed to 2 Tone Records.[1]

The Apollinaires
Also known asThe Volkswagens
OriginLeicester
Genresfunk, 2 Tone
Years active1981-1983
Labels2 Tone Records
Associated actsI Y A Volkswagens, The Swinging Laurels
Past membersPaul Tickle, Tom Brown, Francis Brown, Kraig Thornber, James Hunt, Simon Kirk, Peter Millen, Laurence Wood, Paul Hood, Chris Freestone, Stephen Leonard-Williams

History

The band formed in Leicester as a six-piece, composed of musicians from various local bands and students from the Leicester School of Art.[1] Four members of the band had previously been in an industrial band named I Y A Volkswagens, which had released one single on Rough Trade Records called "Kill Myself".[2] After the demise of that band they reformed as The Volkswagens, and as their sound moved from post-punk to a more dance sound, they worked with members of another Leicester band called The Swinging Laurels as their horn section.[1]

In 1982 the band signed to Coventry's 2 Tone Records and changed their name to The Apollinaires, expanding to a ten-piece at the same time with the addition an in-house horn section.[1][2] They recorded their first single, "The Feeling's Gone" with Jerry Dammers,[1] featuring vocals from Rhoda Dakar of The Bodysnatchers.[2]

After this the band toured extensively in the UK with bands including The Higsons and The Beat, and also played concerts in France, recorded BBC Radio 1 sessions for John Peel and Kid Jensen, and released a second single entitled "Envy the Love".[1] Their TV appearances included Channel 4's The Switch.[1] They also released a third single in 1983 on a small Birmingham independent label entitled "Put People First".[1] Eventually, however, the band split up due to the difficulties of co-ordinating their large number of members.[1]

Personnel
  • Paul Tickle, Vocals
  • Tom Brown, guitar
  • Francis Brown, Guitar (died 17 March 2010)[3]
  • Kraig Thornber, Drums
  • James Hunt, Bass
  • Simon Kirk, Percussion
  • Peter Millen, Alto Sax. Millen went on to run a design business in New York City.[1]
  • Laurence Wood, Tenor Sax
  • Paul Hood, Trombone
  • Chris Freestone, Trumpet
  • Stephen Leonard-Williams, Flute

Singles
  • "The Feeling's Gone" (2 Tone Records, 1982, produced by Jerry Dammers)[2]
  • "Envy the Love" (2 Tone Records, 1982, produced by Warne Livesey)[2]
  • "Put People First/Theme from Put People First" (B.F.W. / T.U.R.C., 1983, produced by Jo King)[1]

References
  1. "The Apollinaires". 2 Tone Records. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  2. Thrills, Adrian (11 December 1982). "Black and White Reunite". New Musical Express. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  3. "Francis Brown of the Apollinaires". Google Groups - 2-tone forum. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
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