The Batfish Boys

The Batfish Boys (later simply called Batfish) were a gothic rock/garage rock/rockabilly band from York and Leeds, England, active between 1984 and 1990. The band was formed by former March Violets vocalist Simon Detroit (b. Simon Denbigh) and ex-Skeletal Family drummer Martin "Bomber" Pink, initially assisted on their first single, 1985's 'Swamp Liquor' (their first release on their own Batfish Incorporated label) by Denbigh's ex-bandmates in March Violets, bassist Loz Elliott and guitarist Tom Ashton. Their goth tendencies evolved into a more Stooges-influenced garage rock sound, and debut album 'The Gods Hate Kansas' prompted comparisons to the likes of The Cramps and The Gun Club. By that point, the band had added bassist Bob "Diablo" Priestley and guitarists Johnny Burman and Murray Fenton. In 1986, Zero Rek (Martin Herbert) replaced Fenton on guitar. The Batfish Boys' second album, 'Head', also appeared that year, laced with psychedelic blues overtones. With the band's sound getting progressively heavier, they were signed by Motörhead's label, GWR, in 1987, and shortened their name to Batfish. The first release on GWR was 1988's "Another One Bites The Dust" single, a mash-up cover of "Purple Haze" and Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". The third Batfish Boys album, 'Batfish Brew', was released in 1989, but the band split shortly afterwards. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]