Years active 1980–1986 Origin United Kingdom (1980) | Active until 1986 | |
Labels Romans in Britain, 2 Tone, Upright, Waap, R4 Website The Higsons - artist profile Past members Charlie Higson - Lead vocals, harmonica, pianoTerry Edwards - Guitar, trumpet, saxophone, piano, vocalsSimon Charterton - Drums, vocalsColin Williams - Bass guitar, vocalsStuart McGeachin - Guitar, vocalsDave Cummings - Guitar, vocals Albums The Curse of The Higsons, Waap Waap Similar The Bodysnatchers, The Farmer's Boys, Rhoda Dakar, Serious Drinking, The Appolinaires | ||
The higsons conspiracy
The higsons live from london official trailer
History
Founded in 1980 at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, The Higsons' first recording was on the Norwich - A Fine City compilation album. The band signed to the 2 Tone Records label, along with bands such as The Specials, The Beat and Madness. The Higsons' first single, "I Don't Want to Live with Monkeys", was released in 1981.
The band's blend of high-energy funk and groove brought them some chart success: their most remembered track was "Conspiracy", released in 1982, with the refrain "Who stole my bongos?; Did you steal my bongos?". The band played their last gig in March 1986, disbanding by mutual consent.
After the break-up
Charlie Higson found fame as a comedy writer and actor in The Fast Show. Terry Edwards joined Gallon Drunk in 1993, fronted his own band and became a session musician. Simon Charterton formed the bands The Aftershave, Zook, Nitwood and Simon & the Pope. Terry and Simon play together in the Near Jazz Experience. Stuart McGeachin and Colin Williams got full-time jobs.
Robyn Hitchcock paid tribute to the band with the song "Listening to the Higsons" which acknowledged their song "Got to Let This Heat Out" in the couplet, "I thought I heard them singing "Gotta let this hen out"." Hitchcock used this mishearing as the title of his 1985 live album with the Egyptians.
Band members
Albums
Cassette
Backs Records / Chaos Tapes (Cat No. live 008); limited edition of 4000
01. "Insect Love"
02. "It Goes Waap"
03. "Surrender"
04. "Lost and Lonely"
05. "Got To Let This Heat Out"
06. "Where Have All The Club-A-Go-Go,s Went Went"
07. "A Dash To The Shops"
08. "Touchdown"
09. "Conspiracy"
10. "Crash"
11. "I Don't Want To Live With The Monkeys"
12. "My Love Is Bent At Both Ends"
13. "We Will Never Grow Old"
Compilation albums
BBC Radio 1 In Concert
A one-hour concert was recorded and broadcast from the Paris Theatre in London on 7 September 1983. The Higsons played the first half hour whilst the Norwich-based band The Farmer's Boys played the second half.
Videos
Songs
Tear the Whole Thing DownThe Curse of The Higsons · 1984
I Don't Want to Live With MonkeysWaap Waap · 1982
Music to Watch Girls ByThe Curse of The Higsons · 1984