| Beachbuggy | |
| Origin: | Doncaster, England |
| Genre: | Rock & roll Punk rock Alternative rock |
| Years Active: | 1992–2006 |
| Label: | Ostrich GT Sympathy For The Record Industry Poptones |
| Associated Acts: | The Wedding Present Groop Dogdrill Cha Cha Cohen Mystery Meat Walker |
| Website: | TeamBB |
| Past Members: | Jack Straker Jim VeVee Paul Dorrington Keith Gregory Daniel Jennings |
Beachbuggy were a British rock group formed in early 1992 in Doncaster by Jack Straker (guitar/vocals), Jim VeVee (drums) and A.D (bass). The band's name reflected singer and main songwriter Jack's obsession with classic cars, drag racing and Americana. Musically, their earliest influences were UK indie bands such as The Fall, The Wedding Present and Cud and American rock groups such as Buffalo Tom and Sonic Youth.
Beachbuggy's first recordings were released as a three-track demo tape within weeks of the band forming in mid-1992 and were sold at early gigs, which took place throughout South Yorkshire and occasionally further afield. One of their biggest early gigs was at a special one-off show in Doncaster where headliners, Leeds band The Wedding Present, filmed a promo video for one of their 1992 'Hit parade' singles. This gig forged a link between the two bands which was to continue throughout the 1990s and beyond. Shortly after the release of their first demo tape A.D left to be replaced by Paul Maan - the first of many line-up changes.
The new line-up signalled a decisive change in musical policy - early songs are dropped and a more retro, rock 'n' roll sound, highly influenced by American 1960s surf music and garage rock emerged. Jack formed the self-funded label Ostrich GT and released the debut 7" single "Can't Get Enough", which showcased the band's rapidly developing Hot Rod aesthetic ("I've been around / The fuzz ran me downtown / They say I ran a red light / Oh well, I guess they were right"). The single sold well at early gigs and a follow-up was soon issued. "Chrysler 440" continued the street racing theme while B-side "Fuel Injection (it's better)" reflected Jack's knowledge of classic cars ("I got a big block Ford / It had a carburettor / Now I've got fuel injection / It's better"). Jack's occasional Ostrich Club nights held in various venues around Doncaster saw the band develop a loyal following and a growing reputation as they headlined their own gigs and supported some bigger names.
Between 1993 and 1995 gigs become more frequent and widespread and the initial local following grew as the band began to infiltrate the UK college circuit - often taking a group of loyal fans along to their gigs. In the process they played the first of the soon-to-be-infamous 'trailer' shows - turning up outside other bands' gigs and playing impromptu sets to the queuing crowds from the back of a truck or trailer. The trailer shows proved to be a great way of getting the band heard by larger crowds than would normally attend their gigs and soon the band were playing regular impromptu sets. A third single, "General Electric Pilot" saw another shift in emphasis with the production pre-empting the sound of their later two-drummer line-up and the addition of backing vocalist 'Rocket' Ron Haslam adding an extra sonic dimension.
With little serious record company interest, the band took the initiative and made up a handful of demos of their latest recording "Firebird Special", sending them out to their favourite record labels. US company Sympathy for the Record Industry were one such label and they immediately issued "Firebird Special" as a 7" single in the US and followed it up with a full-length CD album "Unsafe.. At Any Speed". The album brought together their last couple of singles with a batch of new recordings and was a hit on the US underground/college circuit. As a result of this modest success, the band played a handful of US gigs but with no UK distribution and an indifferent UK music press, "Unsafe" failed to make a dent in the domestic market. A further single "Ya Just A Little Punk" followed, this time on indie 555 label, but the lack of success and nominal interest from the UK press may have prompted Jack to accept an offer to join The Wedding Present, first on bass and later on guitar.
Jack spent much of the period 1993 to 1996 touring and recording with The Wedding Present to the detriment of Beachbuggy, although the band still continued to gig sporadically. Upon leaving The Wedding Present in 1996 Jack returned to Beachbuggy with a renewed vigour. By now the band boasted two drummers - 'little' Bill Vevee (Jim's brother) and Johnny Napolis. The band took to wearing matching racing overalls on stage and undertook a series of raucous shows, one of which was witnessed by former Creation Records boss and current Poptones impresario Alan McGee. McGee offered to put out the band's first UK album, which they recorded at the Chicago studio of celebrated producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, Big Black). The resultant album "Sport Fury" - the ultimate expression of the Beachbuggy ethos and the perfect balance between smart wit and cool attitude - was a critical success and exposed the band to a broader, national audience for the first time.
More gigs and positive press attention followed as the band racked up positive reviews in Kerrang! and NME and played live on TV for the first time to promote one of their ever-more-frequent London gigs. "Kickin' Back" and "From The South" were issued as 7" singles and the 5-track "Kickin' Back ep" collected the lead track, a couple of B-sides and some new songs on one CD. A third album followed shortly. Recorded again at Albini's Chicago studio over ten days "Killer-B" honed the band's sound, attitude and aesthetic further. "Killer Bee" and "Dirty Mouth" were obvious singles whilst the whole album - artistically at least - was a well accomplished success.
However, press attention was muted as Poptones failed to adequately promote the album. The momentum established by "Sport Fury" began to wane, sales were ultimately disappointing and the band parted company Poptones. Various band members came and went but a handful of shows nevertheless followed with line-ups varying from show-to-show. Original bassist A.D briefly returned on drums and they recorded and released "Nineteen" as one side of a split single with Huddersfield band The Scaramanga Six on Wrath Records.[1] But by this point Jack had already begun spending more time with his new band Walker (which included two former Beachbuggy members).
By 2005 however, Jack was back writing and playing with original Beachbuggy drummer Jim Vevee. Jim and Jack rehearsed a new batch of Beachbuggy songs and resurrected a number of old favourites. With a new bassist on board they began a short series of gigs which took in shows in their (now) hometown of Sheffield, and an explosive London show late in the year and a return to their roots playing the 'Pinstripes and Pistons' custom car show in April 2006. This however, was to prove to be the last ever Beachbuggy show as Jim left shortly after and Jack made the decision not to replace him and to concentrate full-time on new band Walker.
Unsafe.. At Any Speed (CD album on Sympathy for the Record Industry. Cat. No: SFTRI539) 1998
Sport Fury (CD album on Poptones. Cat. No: MC5039CD) 2001
Killer-B (CD album on Poptones. Cat. No: MC5080CD) 2003