The Blow Monkeys formed in 1981 when Scottish singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and piano player Bruce Robert Howard returned to the United Kingdom after having spent five years in Australia. Taking the name Dr. Robert from The Beatles' song 'Doctor Robert', he recruited bassist Mick Anker, saxophonist Neville Henry, and drummer Tony Kiley, while he took on the vocal duties. Behind the band's stylish veneer lay something else, which became increasingly apparent from Howards' witty and incisive lyrics, and while some of the Smash Hits generation avoided politics with a capital P, The Blow Monkeys openly criticised the policies of the Conservative government, railing against social injustices and adopting an openly left-of-centre stance on issues of the day. They released their first single 'Live Today Love Tomorrow' in 1982 through the small Parasol Records label, which attracted attention from the majors, and before long they'd signed to RCA Records, who released their second single, 'Go Public!' in 1984. 'The Man From Russia' came out three months later, followed later that year by their debut album 'Limping For A Generation'. This was an edgy mix of sinister post-punk, sensual glam rock, and dramatic late 60's pop, melding Howard's teenage obsession with Marc Bolan and T Rex with a love of Australian band the Laughing Clowns, which was a legacy of his teenage years spent down under.
The band's sole release of 1985, 'Forbidden Fruit', introduced a more confident, well-rounded sound, and in 1986 the band released their second album, 'Animal Magic'. This was to prove to be their breakthrough record, as it included the single 'Digging Your Scene', which became their first hit record, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart, and peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their third album 'She Was Only A Grocer's Daughter' (whose title is a reference to then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher), was released in January 1987, and like its predecessor it included a song which was to become a massive hit for them, with 'It Doesn't Have to Be This Way' reaching No. 5 in the UK and No. 28 in Italy, and it was featured in the movie 'Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol'. Also in 1987, the band were asked to contribute to the soundtrack of the film 'Dirty Dancing', and given the shortest of sessions, they chose to cover Leslie Gore's 'You Don't Own Me'. They quickly forgot all about it, until the movie became the biggest-grossing film of its time, and the soundtrack stayed at No. 1 on the US charts for a staggering 18 weeks, earning the group some much appreciated royalties. Outside the group, Robert Howard released a single, 'Wait', which featured early Chicago House singer Kym Mazelle on lead vocals, and when it reached No. 7 on the UK chart, it was included on band's fourth album, 'Whoops! There Goes the Neighbourhood'.
At the start of the new decade, dance music felt like the future, and The Blow Monkeys offered their own unique twist on it with their fifth album, 'Springtime For The World', which was released in 1990, but which turned out to be their least successful record, and shortly after its release the band split up. After briefly recording with Dee C. Lee as Slam Slam, Dr. Robert went solo, although he did contribute to Paul Weller's solo debut album, and co-wrote material with both Weller and Lee. On 18 November 2007, the original band members announced the reunion of The Blow Monkeys, as well as a new album, 'Devil's Tavern', and a tour in 2008. The record was released on 8 September 2008, being funded by pre-orders placed by fans, and its more mature sound received a favourable review in Q magazine, saying, "Their first album in 18 years still finds the frontman in fine voice; Robert continues to sound like he dresses only in velvet and smokes cigarillos." Their second album after reforming was the more upbeat 'Staring At The Sea' in 2011, and it was promoted by a new single, 'Steppin' Down', which was written about Robert's father, and they continue to tour and record, with their latest album coming out this year. As a reminder of how good the band were at their peak, here is a collection of their stand-alone singles, b-sides, and their contributions to the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack and an NME charity album.
Track listing
Disc I - 1982-1986
01 Live Today Love Tomorrow (single 1982)
02 In Cold Blood (b-side of 'Live Today Love Tomorrow')
03 Rub-A-Dub-Shanka (b-side of 'Go Public!' 1984)
04 Resurrection Love (b-side of 'The Man From Russia' 1984)
05 Slither (b-side of 'The Man From Russia' 1984)
06 Kill The Pig (b-side of 'Atomic Lullaby' 1984)
07 My Twisty Jewel (b-side of 'Atomic Lullaby' 1984)
08 It's Not Unusual (b-side of 'Wildflower' 1985)
09 My America (b-side of 'Forbidden Fruit' 1985)
10 The Optimist (b-side of 'Forbidden Fruit' 1985)
11 It Doesn't Have To Dub That Way (b-side of 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way' 1986)
12 Ask For More (b-side of 'It Doesn't Have To Be This Way' 1986)
13 Walking The Blue Beat (b-side of 'Wicked Ways' 1986)
Disc II - 1986-1990
01 Superfly (b-side of 'Don't Be Scared Of Me' 1986)
02 The Grantham Grizzler (b-side of 'Out With Her' 1987)
03 You Don't Own Me (from the soundtrack of the film 'Dirty Dancing' 1987)
04 Sweet Obsession (b-side of 'Some Kind Of Wonderful' 1987)
05 Huckleberry (b-side of 'Some Kind Of Wonderful' 1987)
06 This Day Today (b-side of 'This Is Your Life' 1988)
07 Let The Big Bad Dog Eat It (b-side of 'This Is Your Life' 1988)
08 Hingway! (b-side of 'It Pays To Belong' 1988)
09 Choice? (single 1989)
10 Oh Yeah! (b-side of 'Choice?')
11 Slaves No More (single with Sylvia Tella 1989)
12 Follow That Dream (from 'The Last Temptation Of Elvis' NME charity album 1990)
