Cud

Cud originated in Leeds, England during 1987, assembled by Carl Puttnam (born Ilford, Essex, England; vocals), Mike Dunphy (born Northumberland, England; guitar), William Potter (born Derby, England; bass) and Steve ‘The Infamous Drummer From Cud’ Goodwin (born Croydon, Surrey, England; drums). The four musicians came together after spotting the remnants of an abandoned drum kit inside a rubbish skip. Their first recordings appeared on the Wedding Present’s Reception label, after which they spent the next two years cultivating an intense but limited following across northern England through a humorous blend of funk and the harsher side of independent music. An only partly unwarranted reputation as jokers arose, reinforced by their habit of staging ridiculous covers of Hot Chocolate and Jethro Tull numbers. In 1990 the group adopted “a new sense of sanity and professionalism,” an approach that attracted wider national attention and critical approval. Commercial returns followed when the single “Robinson Crusoe” entered the UK charts at number 86 and “Magic” shortly afterward reached number 80.

Major labels began competing for the band once financial prospects eclipsed their more eccentric traits, yet Cud signed with A&M Records in 1991 simply because the company’s logo “had the trumpet.” The partnership produced Asquarius in summer 1992, an album that received enthusiastic notices. Moving from indie-chart success to mainstream pop acceptance nevertheless proved harder than the initial response implied. A&M promoted the band through an unending series of novelty items including balloons and mobiles, yet these efforts yielded little tangible sales impact. Even so, reviewers responded favorably to the next album, Showbiz, where Cud delivered broader pop arrangements and lyrics described as “mature” (relative only to the band’s own earlier work). William Potter departed in favor of Mick Dale not long before the group disbanded in 1995. Carl Puttnam, William Potter and Steve Goodwin reconvened in 2006 for several live performances, completed by guitarist Felix Frey.