John Wicks (singer)

Career

As a British powerpop band, The Records recorded 3 albums for Virgin Records: "Shades In Bed" (1979), "Crashes" (1980), and "Music On Both Sides" (1982). Unlike many bands, The Records lasted through the punk era and into the new wave music scene, before going their separate ways in 1982. Wicks became a respected producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a solo artist.

Wicks recorded a series of professional demos in the early 1980s, including "The Way That Love Goes", "Prisoner of Love" and "Nowhere Left To Run". "The Way That Love Goes" was later covered by Dominique. Produced by Ahmet Ertegun, it was the B-side of her 1984 single on Atlantic Records, "Changes of Heart".

In 1988, British rock enthusiasts petitioned Virgin Records to release the music of The Records on CD. The fans had their wish when Caroline Records released a best-of collection entitled Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses that same year. In 1990, Line Records Germany remastered and released an album of rhythm and blues flavoured punk entitled A Sunny Afternoon in Waterloo.

In 1990, The Records temporarily reunited to record a version of "Darlin'" for a Brian Wilson tribute CD that was being put together for DeMilo Records in New York, the same year that the US release of Paying for the Summer of Love, a compilation of 1978 demos by the group, was released on CD, vinyl & cassette.

In 1994, John emigrated from the UK to the US and formed a new incarnation of the band, under the moniker "John Wicks and The Records", booking shows primarily in the US and Europe.

By the middle of 1995, John Wicks and The Records recorded Solace In Wonderland, a limited edition promo cassette of country-rock/folk tinged songs, reminiscent of Wilco, Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams.

A full-length album, rock 'ola, was released by the Spanish label Rock Indiana in March 1998, to coincide with a John Wicks and The Records tour of Spain.

In 2001, Angel Air Records released a repackaged CD of Paying for the Summer of Love with all-new artwork and liner notes by John.

In 2002, John's lyricist partner, Will Birch licensed the back catalogue from UK Virgin to his on the Beach record label, releasing a deluxe CD edition of Shades In Bed, which featured 10 bonus tracks, including every cut from the High Heels EP. This was followed by the 2005 release of the deluxe CD edition of Crashes, which included 6 bonus tracks. Then in 2007, he released the deluxe CD edition of Music On Both Sides, which also included 6 bonus tracks.

In April 2007, Wicks released a new 12 track CD entitled Rotate as John Wicks and the Records, on the Kool Kat Musik label. Although described as an anthology Rotate contained several new tracks along with 3 remastered versions, and 1 new version of previously issued songs. 5 bonus tracks were also featured on a special, signed, limited edition 2 disc version. Also included on the CD, is a cover version of The Beatles song "We Can Work It Out", with band member Randy Hoffman on lead vocals, and John doing all the background vocals. An alternate version of this track can be found on the Bullseye Records CD It Was 40 Years Ago Today.

In 2008, John took a new Records' line up to Japan to play 3 live shows in support of Japanese label, Air Mail Recordings, release of a 17 track CD entitled – "The Records Play Live In Evanston 1980". (This recording featured The Records with John Wicks on rhythm guitar, Will Birch on drums, Phil Brown on bass and Jude Cole on lead guitar). The same year, a 10 track 'budget' version of – "Rotate" – was released on the Collectables label.

In 2009, Wicks embarked on a nationwide acoustic tour with Paul Collins.

In 2011, Kool Kat released – "Lessons Learned" (Live & Unplugged) – a 9 track DVD, recorded live at McCabe's in Santa Monica, California, 28 August 2010.

November 2011, under the moniker of – "The Records – featuring John Wicks" – The Fuel Label Group released a repackaged and remastered CD of – "Rotate" – this time with a 14 track listing, which includes the brand new version of "Starry Eyes". A brand new version of "Teenarama" has also been recorded, and will surface at a later date.

2012 Kool Kat released a 12 track John Wicks compilation CD-R, entitled – "Works in Progress".

The songs of John Wicks & Will Birch, have been recorded by 1960s British Invasion band The Searchers (with John McNally and Mike Pender), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Too Much Joy, Michael Monroe from Hanoi Rocks, Dominique and numerous other artists. Although The Records went their separate ways in 1982 – Wicks remains musically active, writing, recording and performing new material, also co-writing, recording and performing with several artists, including Bangle, Debbi Peterson and emerging young singer-songwriter, Dani Lee, amongst others. In addition to working on his new full-length CD, John has plans to record an acoustic album to complement his solo acoustic performances. Tentatively entitled – "Chasing Angels" – inspired by its namesake song, which he wrote and dedicated to the memory of former bandmate, bassist, Phil Brown, who died on 2 February 2012.

Currently, Wicks is working with industry notables including Debbi Peterson of The Bangles, in addition to concerts showcasing his material with The Records. The latter features an all new line up, billed as The Records – featuring John Wicks.

Discography