John Wicks (singer) - Career

Career

As a British powerpop band, The Records recorded three 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 disbanding in 1982. Wicks became a respected producer and songwriter in addition to his work as a solo artist.

Wicks released a series of singles on the Prizm record label 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, the B-side of her 1984 single Change 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 flavored punk entitled A Sunny Afternoon In Waterloo.

Original lead guitarist Huw Gower invited his former band mates to reunite in 1990 to record a version of "Darlin'" for a Brian Wilson tribute CD that he was involved in putting together for DeMilo Records in New York. (At the same Gower also brokered the US release of "Paying For The Summer of Love", a compilation of 1978 demos by the group (with advance royalties paid to all four original members) on CD, vinyl & cassette. In 1994 John formed a new incarnation of the band, under the moniker - John Wicks and The Records, booking shows primarily in the US.

By the middle of 1995, John Wicks and The Records recorded Solace In Wonderland, a limited edition promo cassette of country-rock tinged songs reminisicent of Wilco, Whiskeytown and Ryan Adams. A full length album rock 'ola was released by Rock Indiana in March 1998, whilst John Wicks and The Records were on tour in Spain.

Angel Air Records released Paying For The Summer Of Love remastered on CD in 2001. In 2002, Will Birch licensed the back catalog from UK Virgin to his On The Beach label releasing a deluxe CD edition of Shades In Bed, which featured 10 bonus tracks including every cut from the High Heels EP, followed by a 2005 deluxe CD edition of Crashes, which included six bonus tracks.

In April 2007, after years, John Wicks released a new CD entitled "Rotate" on the KoolKatMusik label. Although described as an "anthology", "Rotate" contained several new tracks along with three remastered versions, and one new version of previously issued songs. Five bonus tracks were also featured on a special, signed, two disc version. Also included, a cover version of the classic Beatles song "We Can Work It Out", which initially appeared on a Beatles CD.

Also in 2007, Wicks did an acoustic tour with Paul Collins.

In 2009, a new CD was released, containing an unreleased live performance entitled "Play Live: The Records Live In Concert." This performance featured The Records with John Wicks on rhythm guitar, Will Birch on drums, Phil Brown on bass and Jude Cole on lead guitar,

A repackaged version of Rotate, with a slightly different track listing - including a brand new version of Starry Eyes - was released November 2011 by The Fuel Label Group.

The songs of Will Birch and John Wicks 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 disbanded in 1982 - Wicks continues to write new material, record and tour, with an all new line up, billed as John Wicks and The Records.