| The chemistry, or perhaps the alchemy, engendered by
the original fifth member that seemed to work well with the original
line-up was lacking from subsequent ones.
In short, in the months following
the release of the single, there was no magic to being in the band and
doing live gigs was becoming a chore.
Paul the drummer began failing to
turn up for gigs, most notoriously at one which the Funboy Five were
due to headline over a pre-Fish version of Marillion.
A singer, Karen, was recruited to
allow Mick to concentrate on playing guitar. The most enjoyable gig
from this time was at the bass player’s school, though the fun that was
had was largely due to valium.
More interested in writing and
recording songs than in continuing with the band, Mick left in the
summer of 1980 and developed a number of studio-based projects, such as
Milkshake
Melon, Great
Disasters That Shook the World & Marion, and Das Boomerang , as well as the music-related journalism that would soon become a full-time occupation.
With just one
original member remaining and without a drummer, the Funboy Five
survived long enough to appear at a party for a friend of Karen’s and
create some t-shirts until finally folding...
OR
SO IT SEEMED
... perhaps
only the fifth member, the eternal mystery, would ever have suspected
that into the 21st century the group would continue to gain a
following, or that during August 2014 the Funboy Five would issue a new
vinyl single, and in the following year relase yet another new single just as the Italian label Ave Phoenix issued a restrospective vinyl album.
ONCE
IN A LIFETIME SPECIAL OFFER
A a special retro treat, below is a free ticket to see
the Funboy Five (or 'Fun Boy Five') at the 'rocknight' upstairs at the
well-known London jazz club, Ronnie Scotts. Cut this out and turn up.
How you get to 1980 is your own affair. Strictly no refunds! See you
there...
|
