Pool Of Sound - Ellery Bop

Ellery Bop

'Ellery Bop' was a great indie rock band from Huyton, Liverpool, formed in May 1980 and who were featured in the first issue of 'Breakout' magazine in April 1981. Their line-up included Jamie Farrell,  (ex 'Opium Eaters' and 'Echo & The Bunnymen') as vocalist and lead guitarist, Steve Johnson on guitar, Robbie Butcher on lead guitar, Kev Connelly on percussion and Mark Parry on drums ( (later with 'Thunderboots', 'Steppin’ Razor', 'Western Promise').

Record Mirror magazine January 7th, 1984.

The band toured infrequently with 'Killing Joke' but seemed a favourite band of the legendary John Peel for whom they recorded several sessions on the BBC and also for Janice Long. One of their John Peel sessions was recorded live at the London I.C.A.
The band claimed they were influenced by the likes of 'MC5', 'The Stooges', 'Ramones', 'Heartbreakers' and 'The Clash' and that could be heard on their later recordings. Early tracks though show a more rockabilly and punk influence. They produced a much more energetic sound than contemporary bands but unfortunately were another band that seemed unable to capture the volume and energy of their live performances on record. The John Peel session that was recorded live at the London I.C.A. came closest to capturing the band at their best.

'Live' at London I.C.A.

In June 1981 the band released their first single 'Hit the Moon'. Their second single 'Ringing' released in March 1982 featured Ian Broudie, later of 'The Lightning Seeds' on bass guitar.

It was in 1985 following the release of 'Torn Apart' that they were signed up by WEA. Bill Drummond the A&R consultant for Warner Elektra Asylum record company tells the story, " Ellery Bop were a pure rock band. Unlike most of their peers, there were no pretensions to what they did. No silly names. Just rock music at its most blunt, brutal and honest – but with a swagger. In my capacity as an A&R consultant to a 'big bad record company' down in London, I'd signed them up. I could almost smell the packed stadiums across the USA waiting for them. Jamie Farrell had everything that was needed of a then-modern rock star. Their single had already been released, it was called 'Torn Apart'. I'd imagined it was the starting point for something great and lasting. It did nothing and nothing else happened."
The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986.

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