Active until 1980 Record label EMI | Active from 1976 Albums Ethel The Frog | |
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Members Paul Tognola, Paul Conyers Similar E F Band, Atomkraft, Salem, Death Dealer, Salem's Wych | ||
Ethel the Frog was a heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Hull, England. They are notable for being a part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. The band's unusual name was taken from a Monty Python sketch about the "Piranha Brothers".
Contents
Line-up
The original line-up was:
Career
After building a local following, they released a heavy version of The Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby" in 1978. Ethel the Frog also contributed the song "Fight Back" to one of Neal Kay's Metal for Muthas compilations. In 1979, they signed a recording contract with EMI, which re-released the "Eleanor Rigby" single with "Fight Back" as the B-side.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1980. A CD release on a small record label, British Steel, appeared in 1997.
Post Ethel
Hopkinson is now a lecturer at the University of Leicester School of Archaeology.
Tognola and Conyers went on to join a band called Salem, releasing one single called "Reach for Eternity/Cold as Steel" in 1982. That band split in 1983, then reformed in 2009 and is currently achieving some success.
Doug Sheppard continued to play in cover bands, but then formed the band No Messiahs which lasted a couple of years, and he continues to play guitar in the Netherlands and has several original songs issued on Reverbnation.
Discography
Songs
Fire BirdEthel The Frog · 1980
Whatever Happened to LoveEthel The Frog · 1980
You Need WheelsEthel The Frog · 1980