| The London Cowboys | |
| Genre: | Rock, punk rock, glam rock, garage rock |
| Origin: | London, England |
| Label: | Underdog Records |
| Years Active: | 1980–1987, 1992 |
| Associated Acts: | The Idols, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Generation X, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Eater, Girl, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, LA Guns, Filthy Lucre |
| Past Members: | Steve Dior Barry Jones Arthur Kane Terry Chimes Jerry Nolan Alan D'Alvarez Gerry Laffy Tony James Pete Farndon Glen Matlock Russell King Phil Lewis Phil Rowland Steve Counsel Neal X Dan Gerous Rob E Lee Wayne Gould |
The London Cowboys were a British rock 'n' roll band who performed from 1980 to 1987.[1] [2] Formed by Steve Dior (vocals) and Barry Jones, formerly of The Idols, the band was somewhat of an enigma. Although these two remained constant and wrote the material, they were joined by a constant succession of other artists in the revolving roster. These included Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols, Terry Chimes from The Clash, Tony James from Generation X, Phil Lewis and Gerry Laffy from Girl, Jerry Nolan from the New York Dolls, Alan D'Alvarez (reportedly of Scotland yard's D10 section) and a dozen other less notable players.
Signed to Underdog Records, The London Cowboys released their debut album, Animal Pleasure in 1982, with the title and the cover photo taken from the film The Tattered Dress to set the tone for the record.
They recorded several more records, including their mini album Tall in the Saddle, and the live album On Stage. There were plans for a fourth record under the working title Whip It Out. Although the third album was never formally released, it spawned one last single "Dance Crazy". This featured the final incarnation of the band - Steve Dior, Barry Jones, Gerry Laffy, Alan D'Alvarez and Jerry Nolan.
After the Cowboys, Steve formed a band called Filthy Lucre which recorded an album Popsmear, and appeared on the Johnny Thunders Tribute CD along with Jeff Dahl, Dogs, Cosa Nostra Band, Bebe Buell, Barry Jones, Jet Boys, Syl Sylvain. Steve also played in The Delinquents. Glen Matlock reformed the Sex Pistols with John Lydon, Steve Jones and Paul Cook. Alan D'Alvarez briefly joined London pseudo punk rockers Better Than You before returning to obscurity. Barry is now living in LA.
On September 3, 2008, Jungle Records released a compilation of The London Cowboys, Relapse,[3] which features material from both studio albums, various singles, b-sides, demos from Whip It Out, and four track from The Idols.