The Balham Alligators

Career

The band came together by chance at a London pub in 1983. The original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard. The Alligators played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including Rock 'n' Roll', Blues, R&B, Celtic Folk, Swamp-Pop, Country, Swing, Cajun & Zydeco.

The Balham Alligators performed in venues around Europe. Early albums included The Balham Alligators and Life In A Bus Lane. The pressure of constant touring began to take its toll with the continued ill-health and eventual death of Kieran O'Connor (d. 1991), the departure of Kitchener and Ron Kavana, and despite the recruitment of Pete Dennis to replace Kitchener convinced the remaining members it was time to call it a day.

The following years were spent pursuing individual projects with Watkins and Rickard working with Charlie Hart as, Rickard, Watkins & Hart, with Watkins eventually leading his own outfit, The Wobblers, in 1992. Robin McKidd formed The Companions of The Rosy Hours a western-swing band. Despite the four years since the original band's demise, McKidd was still receiving offers of work for the Alligators, persuading Watkins and Rickard to try out a few gigs with The Wobblers as a backing band, it became apparent that the Alligators were still a viable concern. Bolstered with morale and momentum they recruited session musician, Bobby Irwin on drums and ex-Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers' bass guitarist Paul Riley and by the latter half of 1995 they recorded Gateway To The South (1996) and followed by Cajun Dance Party (1997).

Track listing

1. Balham 2 Step
2. Hey Hey, Ho Ho
3. Malhereuse
4. Sugar Bee
5. Tennessee Blues
6. Johnny B. Goode
7. Oh Siobhan
8. Let's Dance
9. Louisiana
10. Scotland / Allons a Lafayette
11. Tacos
12. Little Liza Jane
13. Hobo Blues / Balham 2 Step (reprise)

Personnel

Guest musicians:

Production

Track listing

1. Cajun Walk
2. Swamp
3. Big Mamou
4. I Don't Wanna Be In Love
5. Love Has No Pride
6. Alligators Grinning
7. It's My Own Business
8. Diggy Diggy
9. What've You Got To Lose?
10. Fine, Fine, Fine
11. Feel Like A Fool

Personnel

Production

Track listing

1. What We've Got To Lose
2. Six Days On The Road
3. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
4. Caldonia
5. Sacre Bleu (testament de la Jean Jacques)
6. White Lightening
7. Diggy Diggy
8. At The Hop
9. Hobo Blues
10. Balham Two Step
11. Oh Marie

Personnel

Track listing

1. Allons Rock 'n' Roll
2. Bayou Teche
3. Gotta Have Money
4. Malhereuse
5. Big Bad Dog
6. Secret Love
7. Cash On The Barrel-head
8. Too Much
9. The Last Waltz
10. Hot Rod
11. Honky Tonk
12. Johnny B Goode

Personnel

Gator Aid

Production

Track listing

1. Cuvee Cajun
2. Bayou Pom-Pom
3. Guerre Civille
4. Grand Texas
5. Wet And Swampy
6. Rosie Cheeks
7. Cher Mama
8. Colinda
9. Jole Blon
10. Lacassine
11. Diggy Liggy Lo
12. Last Waltz
13. Balham Two Step
14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
15. Big Mamou
16. Hobo Blues
17. Goodnight Irene

Personnel

Production

Track listing

1. Cuvee Cajun
2. Bayou Pom-Pom
3. Guerre Civille
4. Grand Texas
5. Wet And Swampy
6. Rosie Cheeks
7. Cher Mama
8. Colinda
9. Jole Blon
10. Lacassine
11. Diggy Liggy Lo
12. Last Waltz
13. Balham Two Step
14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
15. Big Mamou
16. Hobo Blues
17. Goodnight Irene

Personnel

Production