Colenso Parade

This interesting pop/rock act was formed in October 1984 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band played the Futurama festival in Ireland and then moved to London where they released two singles, ‘Standing Up’ and ‘Down By The Border’, on their own Goliath label. Stiff Records put them in contact with promoter and manager Dave Bedford. Soon afterwards, they moved to London where Bedford had built up Fire Records. From the original line-up, Oscar (vocals), Linda Clenndining (keyboards) and Neil Lawson (bass) remained the nucleus of the band. Terry Bickers (later of House Of Love and Levitation) replaced the original guitarist Jackie Forgie after the first single, and was in turn dropped in favour of John Watt (although Bickers was in place for the album sessions, by the time 'Glentoran' appeared he had moved on). Owen Howell (ex-Big Self) would also replace Robert Wakeman as drummer. Following ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, they secured heavy airplay with "Fontana Eyes" in 1986, a classic 12-bar blues workout founded on captivating lyrical epigrams: ‘I’m holding my breath, cos there’s no-one to hold’. A split came soon after their only album when a contract with a major label fell through. Further demos were recorded but nothing surfaced, although Oscar was asked to join Echo And The Bunnymen as singer following the departure of Ian McCulloch. He declined the invitation, and is now working in video. Lawson is currently an aircraft photographer, while Linda Clandinning has trained as a hairdresser. Only Robert Wakeman has continued in the music industry, with indie hopefuls Salad. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]