Drop dead darlin

Drop Dead Darlin were an important part of the 'new breed' of welsh political anarcho punk bands. They were a 4 piece band from Cardiff, South Wales. In their time together as a band they supported bands, spanning different genres of music, including 'demented are go' 'the forgotten' and' the dogbones' They also played several benefit shows.
Early history.
'Drop Dead Darlin' came together in the summer of 2006. Named after an old movie that they discovered in the pages of a classic film book they found in the squat where two of the founding members (Mikee and Joel) lived in Newport, South Wales. The third founding member Leigh (guitar) lived in neighbouring town Cwmbran, After much writing and rehearsal in the basement of the squat, they drafted in a fourth member Richie from Cardiff city to play bass guitar. Richie was also the front man of industrial band 'Spider Kitten'
The band then started to take things more seriously and started to practice two to three times per week in Music Box, Canton, Cardiff. After a short time and several problems with drug abuse and housing issues the band separated. After a year off only Joel and Mikee reunited and made the conscious decision to start afresh and then moved to Cardiff city, South Wales,
With Joel on guitar and vocals and Mikee on drums, they then went on to recruit Sammi (who was also Cardiff based) on vocals after a chance meeting in a Cardiff club.
They then continued to rehearse and write new songs in Cardiff. Once again in Canton at the Music Box practice rooms. As for bass they recruited Bob Goo as a temporary member to play live shows for them. Bob was from the Barry area and played in Newport/Cardiff based band 'The October Country' (Mikee's former band). Bob gave the band a massive push and they then started to book shows and record the first four track live demo sessions on 2nd of december 2007 at Juju's House of Hoodoo, Newport, run by Julian, the bassist of Newport dub reggae band 'Clinical Groover'. Julian recorded and engineered the demo for the band.
Drop Dead Darlin played there first show on the 4th December in Newport venue the Meze Lounge, supporting london based band 'The Dogbones' which features members of London art punks 'queenadreena'
Bob the bassist went on to play five more shows with the band until he was replaced by new full time member Jodie who was Valleys based. She went on to play the rest of the live shows for Drop Dead Darlin. They then as, a full band, wrote and recorded the un-released five track debut e.p 'Drop dead' in Welsh Valleys based 'Skwad HQ' studios. this ep was recorded/mixed, engineered and produced by 'Todd Campbell', notably the son of 'Phil Campbell' of Motorhead. After the band finished recording they left to enbark on the first ever Drop Dead Darlin UK tour. They then gigged heavily until the split at there last ever show on the 1st April 2008. The band did reform for a one-off secret local show at Newport's Meze Lounge on the 24th june 2008. For that gig, the band played as a three piece; guitar, drums and vocals.
They called it a day and had an amicable split.
As close friends originally, they remained in contact, with Mikee and Joel going on to travel to the United States of America.
Members: Past and Present
Joel-vocals/guitar.
Mikee-drums.
Leigh-guitar.
Richie-bass.
Sammi-vocals.
Bob Goo-bass.
Jodie-bass.
Discography
Live demo-2007(4 tracks) compact disc, Self release available independently (two different versions released green/yellow artwork, Both editions with a free sticker.
Drop Dead E.P-2008 studio recording(5 tracks) compact disc. Unreleased.
Currently
There are rumours that the band has decided to reform for 2009 with members Joel, Sammi and Mikee.
For more current information please see the bands music page.
References and Links
Drop Dead Darlin Myspace music and info page page
Gagged news letter welsh anarchists
Drop Dead Darlin a band who have played benefit gigs for us (or for what the collective is involved with) - Gagged Anarchist group wales
No Borders Wales Website
No Borders Wales Myspace Page
An example of an anarchist run no borders wales show played by Drop Dead Darlin for the benefit cause of Ama Sumani
Ama Sumani benefit show - Drop Dead Darlin
Ama Sumani

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