Doctor and the Medics (original) (raw)

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British glam rock band

Doctor and the Medics
Doctor and the Medics in 1986Doctor and the Medics in 1986
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Neo-psychedelia glam rock new wave pop rock
Years active 1981–present
Labels Whaam Illegal I.R.S. Plastic Surgery
Members The DoctorMelissa WeekesAdrian HillDan AngelowMatthew AngelowJon RandleMaria Verhelst-Hopkins
Past members Steve McGuireRichard SearleAndrew McLachlanSteve "Vom" RitchieWendi Anadin (Wendi West)Colette Anadin (Colette Appleby)Carl AxonJames Hartley
Website www.doctorandthemedics.com

Doctor and the Medics is a British glam rock band formed in London in 1981.[1] The group was most successful during the 1980s and is best known for their cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky," which reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] The band currently performs with a newer and established line-up. As well as previously being classed a tribute act to various artists, they include many of their original songs in their live set. The group's musical style includes neo-psychedelia, glam rock, new wave and pop rock.[1][3][4][5]

The Doctor and the Medics lead singer – Clive Jackson, born 7 July 1961 in Knotty Ash, Liverpool[6]– a former London-based DJ, formed the group in 1981 with guitarist Steve McGuire, drummer Vom, also known as Steve Ritchie, bassist Richard Searle and female dancers and singers the Anadin Brothers.[1] The group adopted a look inspired by both 1960s psychedelia and kabuki make-up similar to that of Kiss.

Their first single was "The Druids Are Here, " released on Whaam Records in 1982.[7] They released no further records until 1985, but a four-track EP recorded live at Alice in Wonderland, a Soho nightclub where the Doctor was house DJ, was available direct from the band. The band's female backing singers, known as the Anadin Brothers, were originally three in number, but reduced to two members - Wendi West and Colette Appleby.[7]

Melissa Weekes and the Doctor performing in June 2014

In 1985, they signed to IRS Records and released "Happy but Twisted", a five-track 12" EP including a cover of Hawkwind's "Silver Machine". This reached number 2 on the indie charts.[8] It was followed by "The Miracle of the Age", produced by Andy Partridge of XTC. Around this time, the band performed a concert in a television studio in Limehouse, London, which was recorded for television broadcast, although it was not shown at the time. At this concert, the line-up was augmented by Roman Jugg of the Damned on keyboards and second guitar. There was another connection between the two groups; as "Doctor", Clive Jackson co-wrote The Damned's 1985 UK hit single "Grimly Fiendish".

In 1986, the band had an international hit with their next single, a cover of Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky". The single reached number one in the UK.[9] Their subsequent singles were less successful; "Burn" and "Waterloo" (the latter of which was a cover of the ABBA hit, with Roy Wood on saxophone, backing vocals and in the video). "Burn" reached number 29 in the UK Singles Chart and "Waterloo" reached number 45.[7] The band released their final studio album Instant Heaven, in 1996 on their own 'Madman' record label.[1]

In the early 2000s, the band's current line-up appeared on retro-themed British TV shows such as ITV1's Hit Me Baby One More Time, and a Top of the Pops Christmas special celebrating 50 years of the UK Singles Chart. In June 2006, the band appeared, with a new line-up, on Channel 4's Bring Back One Hit Wonders.[10] Around this time they released an EP called Timewarped.[11] They continue to perform live.[6]

In December 2024, they played the Barrowland Ballroom supporting The Damned on their UK tour.[12]

1981 line-up

1986 line-up

Richard Searle left in 1990, shortly after Vom Ritchie departed. Gareth Thomas replaced Searle in 1990. Searle went on to form the acid jazz band Corduroy with former members of the Sire Records act Boys Wonder. Since leaving the Medics, drummer Ritchie has played with Last of the Teenage Idols, Stiv Bators, B-Bang Cider, the Boys, Wet Dog and now plays with Die Toten Hosen.

2003 reunion line-up

Carl Axon left to pursue business interests.

Current line-up

Year Album Label Peak chart positions
UK[9] CAN[13]
1986 Laughing at the Pieces I.R.S. Records 25 55
1987 I Keep Thinking It's Tuesday — —
1992 The Adventures of Boadacea and the Beetle Dojo Limited — —
1996 Instant Heaven Mad Man Records — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Year Title (A-side / B-side) Peak chart positions Certifications
US Pop[14] UK[9][15] CAN[16]
1982 "The Druids Are Here" / "The Goats Are Trying to Kill Me" ― ― ―
1985 "The Miracle of the Age" / "I Don't Want to Be Alone with You Tonight" ― 117[17] ―
1986 "Spirit in the Sky" / "Laughing at the Pieces" 69 1 1 BPI: Silver[18]
"Burn" / "Captain Frazer" ― 29 ―
"Waterloo" / "Damaged Brains" (featuring Roy Wood) ― 45 ―
1987 "More" / "Bad Men's Pennies" ― ― ―
"Burning Love" / "Waterloo" ― ― ―
1988 "Drive, He Said" / "Ride the Beetle" ― ― ―
1990 "Hi Ho Silver Lining" / "Black & Blue" ― ― ―
1991 "Black & Blue" ― ― ―
2015 "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" ― ― ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
  1. ^ a b c d Sutton, Michael. "Doctor & the Medics Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  2. ^ "All The Number 1 Singles". Official Charts Company. 30 January 2015.
  3. ^ Romanowski, Patricia (1995). The New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Fireside. p. xix (19). ISBN 978-0684810447.
  4. ^ Abrahams, Ian (2004). Hawkwind: Sonic Assassins. SAF Publishing Ltd. p. 168. ISBN 978-0946719693.
  5. ^ Colin Larkin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music. Virgin. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7535-0159-7.
  6. ^ a b "How the lead singer of Doctor and the Medics became a pillar of a small Welsh community". Walesonline. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  8. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
  9. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ^ "Doctor And The Medics Spirit In The Sky". Stagedoorentertainments.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Timewarped – Doctor and the Medics". Doctorandthemedics.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Doctor and the Medics Setlist at Barrowland, Glasgow, Scotland". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  13. ^ "RPM 100 Albums - December 20, 1986" (PDF).
  14. ^ "Doctor and the Medics Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  15. ^ "DOCTOR & THE MEDICS - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  16. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - October 18, 1986" (PDF).
  17. ^ "UK Singles Charts: 1985 (Including chart panel sales)". 4 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Doctor & the Medics - Spirit in the Sky". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  19. ^ "UK Singles Charts: 1985 (Including chart panel sales)". 4 August 2022.