The Dentists
| The Dentists | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chatham, Kent, England |
| Genres | Indie rock, Medway scene |
| Years active | 1984–1995, 2010 |
| Labels | Spruck, Eastwest, Homestead Records, Integrity Records |
| Website | http://www.thedentistsweb.com/ |
| Past members | Mick Murphy Bob Collins Mark Matthews Ian Smith Alun Jones Rob Grigg |
The Dentists were an indie/pop band from the Medway towns (as part of the Medway scene) in England who were active from 1984 to 1995. The band's permanent members were Mick Murphy (lead vocals), Bob Collins (guitar) and Mark Matthews (bass). The band also had three different drummers: Ian Smith (1984–1986), Alun Jones (1986–1991) and Rob Grigg (1991–1995). All members participated in writing songs. Mark ('Jock') Reid was Mick Murphy's predecessor as lead singer for the band in 1983 when they were known as The Ancient Gallery.
The band met at school in the early 1980s and began playing gigs in their local area around Chatham and Rochester. Their first single, Strawberries are Growing in My Garden (and It's Wintertime), was quickly followed by the album Some People Are On The Pitch They Think It's All Over It Is Now (a reference to Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous commentary at the end of the 1966 World Cup). The record was produced by Allan Crockford of fellow Medway band The Prisoners and featured the standout track I Had An Excellent Dream.
In December 1986, the band supported Del Amitri at the Marquee Club in London, and the Go-Betweens at the Astoria, London. In the same year, a reissue of Strawberries ... received radio play from John Peel and Andy Kershaw and was named 'runner-up Single of the Week' by Smash Hits magazine; it reached the Top 40 indie charts. The following year, the band recorded a radio session for Janice Long. Shortly afterwards, their Writhing On The Shagpile EP also made the indie charts.
In 1987, on their third visit to mainland Europe, the band were signed by the Belgian label Antler Records, who released a compilation album, Beer Bottle and Bannister Symphonies, and 12" single, The Fun Has Arrived.
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