The Waterboys

Bio

The Waterboys is a British celtic band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician Mike Scott. Their songs, largely written by Scott, often contain literary references and are frequently concerned with spirituality. Both the group and its members' solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics, but The Waterboys as a band has never received the commercial success that some of its members (such as Ian McNabb, leader of The Icicle Works; Trevor Hutchinson, a founding member of Lúnasa; etc) have had independently. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions." More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band. Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums. Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound". Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys. Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006. Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings. After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented". Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty. . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

Similar artists

World Party, Levellers, Lloyd Cole and The Commotions, Richard Thompson, Steeleye Span

Genres

folk rock,rock,celtic,alternative,celtic rock,pop/rock,british,classic pop and rock,uk,indie,scotland,pop rock,english,schottland,englisch,celtic rock,irish rock,scottish new wave,scottish rock,

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On Tour: No

country: GB

city: Edinburgh

Begin Date: 1982

Last Update:

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Videography

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Artist discography

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Last FM

Modern Blues

Jan/2014

Dublin 1986 (Live)

Dublin 1986 (Live)

Apr/2020

Medicine Bow Live (Live)

Medicine Bow Live (Live)

Mar/2020

Old England Live (Live)

Old England Live (Live)

Mar/2020

The Waterboys Live Part 2 (Live)

The Waterboys Live Part 2 (Live)

Mar/2020

The Waterboys Live Part 1 (Live)

The Waterboys Live Part 1 (Live)

Mar/2020

Waterboys live Vol.1 (Live)

Waterboys live Vol.1 (Live)

Mar/2020

The Waterboys Vol. 2 (Live)

The Waterboys Vol. 2 (Live)

Mar/2020

In Concert - Part One

In Concert - Part One

Feb/2020

In Concert - Part Two (Live)

In Concert - Part Two (Live)

Feb/2020

Out Of All This Blue EP

Out Of All This Blue EP

Sep/2019

Where the Action Is (Japanese Edition)

Where the Action Is (Japanese Edition)

May/2019

Where The Action Is (Deluxe)

Where The Action Is (Deluxe)

May/2019

Where The Action Is

Where The Action Is

May/2019

Ladbroke Grove Symphony

Ladbroke Grove Symphony

May/2019

Right Side Of Heartbreak (Wrong Side of Love)

Right Side Of Heartbreak (Wrong Side of Love)

Mar/2019

Out of All This Blue (Deluxe)

Out of All This Blue (Deluxe)

Sep/2017

The Connemara Fox

The Connemara Fox

Aug/2017

Mister Charisma

Mister Charisma

Aug/2017

Do We Choose Who We Love

Do We Choose Who We Love

Aug/2017

Payo Payo Chin

Aug/2017

All Souls Hill (Deluxe)

All Souls Hill (Deluxe)

Sep/2022

Once Were Brothers (Mashup) - Single

Once Were Brothers (Mashup) - Single

Aug/2022

Once Were Brothers (Mashup)

Once Were Brothers (Mashup)

Aug/2022

Where the Action Is (Deluxe Edition Inc Japan Bonus Tracks)

Where the Action Is (Deluxe Edition Inc Japan Bonus Tracks)

Aug/2022

In My Dreams (Mashup) - Single

In My Dreams (Mashup) - Single

Jul/2022

In My Dreams (Mashup)

In My Dreams (Mashup)

Jul/2022

Blackberry Girl (Mashup) - Single

Blackberry Girl (Mashup) - Single

Jul/2022

Blackberry Girl (Mashup)

Blackberry Girl (Mashup)

Jul/2022

Mr. Yeats: The Demos

Mr. Yeats: The Demos

Jun/2022

An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2022 Remaster)

An Appointment with Mr Yeats (2022 Remaster)

Jun/2022

Glastonbury Fayre - Single

Glastonbury Fayre - Single

Jun/2022

Gladstonbury Fayre - Single

Gladstonbury Fayre - Single

Jun/2022

All Souls Hill

May/2022

Here We Go Again

Here We Go Again

Mar/2022

The MAGNIFICENT SEVEN the Waterboys Fisherman's Blues/Room To Roam band, 1989-90

The MAGNIFICENT SEVEN the Waterboys Fisherman's Blues/Room To Roam band, 1989-90

Dec/2021

The Liar

Nov/2021

A Pagan Place/ Reels (Live) - Single

A Pagan Place/ Reels (Live) - Single

Oct/2021

A Pagan Place / Reels [Live] - Single

A Pagan Place / Reels [Live] - Single

Oct/2021

Levitating - Single

Levitating - Single

Sep/2021

One Last Time - Single

One Last Time - Single

Aug/2021

All Souls Hill (Digital Deluxe)

All Souls Hill (Digital Deluxe)

Sep/2022

The Secret Life of The Waterboys (1981-1985)

The Secret Life of The Waterboys (1981-1985)

Jul/2022

Glastonbury Fayre

Glastonbury Fayre

Jun/2022

I'm Gonna Need An Audi

I'm Gonna Need An Audi

Feb/2022

1985

Feb/2024

The Whole Of The Moon (Video Version)

The Whole Of The Moon (Video Version)

Jan/2024

The Whole of the Moon (Video Version) - Single

The Whole of the Moon (Video Version) - Single

Jan/2024

Dream Harder (Directors Cut)

Dream Harder (Directors Cut)

Nov/2024

Life, Death And Dennis Hopper [Explicit]

Life, Death And Dennis Hopper [Explicit]

Apr/2025

Hopper's On Top (Genius)

Hopper's On Top (Genius)

Jan/2025

Andy (A Guy Like You)

Andy (A Guy Like You)

Feb/2025

Out of All This Blue [Explicit]

Out of All This Blue [Explicit]

Apr/2025

Out of All This Blue (Deluxe) [Explicit]

Out of All This Blue (Deluxe) [Explicit]

Apr/2025

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