Biography
By infusing punk's self-reliant ethos into minimalist acoustic pop, the Woodentops earned widespread critical praise during their brief run. The band came together in the early '80s in Northhampton, England, with Rolo McGinty handling vocals and guitar, Frank de Freitas on bass, Simon Mawby on guitar, Benny Staples on drums, and Alice Thompson on keyboards. Their first single, "Plenty," appeared on Food Records and secured a deal with Rough Trade. McGinty-penned singles issued throughout 1985 gradually built a British following. The group delivered its well-received debut album, Giant, in 1986.
In 1987 the Woodentops altered their approach by incorporating harder-edged guitars and electronic elements, reflecting McGinty's growing interest in dance music. Those shifts surfaced most clearly onstage, captured on the 1987 live set Hypno Beat Live, which was recorded during an American tour that also brought in Anne Stephenson, previously of the Communards, as keyboardist in place of Thompson. The 1988 album Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway, featuring contributions from studio players including Bernie Worrell and Doug Wimbish, extended the band's explorations of rhythm and texture.
Although "Stop This Car" received modest Los Angeles radio airplay and the group cultivated a substantial audience in Japan, tours in 1991 and 1992 did not expand their reach, leading to a split at the close of 1992. McGinty subsequently pursued electronic projects and performed with Gary Lucas' Gods & Monsters, while Mawby spent a short time in House of Love. McGinty reconvened a new Woodentops lineup in 2006 for reunion dates, retaining originals McGinty, Mawby, and de Freitas alongside drummer Paul Ashby, pianist Richard Thomas, and keyboardist Aine O'Keeffe. The band continued occasional live appearances in subsequent years before issuing Granular Tales in 2014, their first studio album in more than 25 years.
In 1987 the Woodentops altered their approach by incorporating harder-edged guitars and electronic elements, reflecting McGinty's growing interest in dance music. Those shifts surfaced most clearly onstage, captured on the 1987 live set Hypno Beat Live, which was recorded during an American tour that also brought in Anne Stephenson, previously of the Communards, as keyboardist in place of Thompson. The 1988 album Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway, featuring contributions from studio players including Bernie Worrell and Doug Wimbish, extended the band's explorations of rhythm and texture.
Although "Stop This Car" received modest Los Angeles radio airplay and the group cultivated a substantial audience in Japan, tours in 1991 and 1992 did not expand their reach, leading to a split at the close of 1992. McGinty subsequently pursued electronic projects and performed with Gary Lucas' Gods & Monsters, while Mawby spent a short time in House of Love. McGinty reconvened a new Woodentops lineup in 2006 for reunion dates, retaining originals McGinty, Mawby, and de Freitas alongside drummer Paul Ashby, pianist Richard Thomas, and keyboardist Aine O'Keeffe. The band continued occasional live appearances in subsequent years before issuing Granular Tales in 2014, their first studio album in more than 25 years.
Albums
Singles
Live
