James Taylor (The James Taylor Quartet) reunites with his massively influential Brit Pop band, The Prisoners & former label boss Steve Lamacq who will DJ and compare the evening, for a very special one off show at The London Roundhouse, Camden in May 2024 – Super Special guest support will be announced April 2024 – Tickets on sale this Friday.
The Prisoners emerged in 1982 from the Medway Towns in Kent with their debut LP ‘A Taste of Pink’ on the band’s Own Up label. 1983 saw the band sign to Ace Records ‘Big Beat’ subsidiary to release the follow up ’The Wisermiserdemelza’ which featured the single ‘Hurricane’. The following year’s ‘Electric Fit’ EP included the band’s signature song ‘Melanie’ and The Prisoners joined Thee Milkshakes, The Stingrays and the Tall Boys on Channel 4’s ’The Tube’ programme on a feature called ’Trash on the Tube’. Two more albums followed ’The Last Fourfathers’ (1985) and ‘In From The Cold’ (1986), the latter featuring the classic ‘Whenever I’m Gone’ single, before the band called it a day in 1986 after a UK tour supporting the Ramones.
10 years later The Prisoners reformed for a handful of live dates which saw the band sign to Steve Lamacq’s Deceptive record label alongside Elastica, Placebo & Earl Brutus. ’Shine On Me’ (1997) came out to enthusiastic reviews but The Prisoners split up again soon after. Bands such as The Charlatans & the Inspiral Carpets have cited The Prisoners as a formative influence on their own sound.
THE PRISONERS BAND LINE UP
Graham Day – Guitar/Vocals
Allan Crockford – Bass/Vocals
James Taylor – Hammond Organ
Johnny Symons – Drums