Northside (band)
{{Short description|British band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Northside
| image = Northside2025.jpg
| caption = Northside performing in Bristol in 2025
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = Manchester, England
| genre = Alternative rock, Madchester
| years_active = 1989–1996, 2007–2008, 2013–present
| label = Factory Records
| associated_acts = Silent Partners, V Thirteen
| website =
| current_members =
| past_members = Warren "Dermo" Dermody
Timmy Walsh
Cliff Ogier
Paul Walsh
Michael Upton
Spencer Birtwistle
Danny Yates
Dom Morrison
}}
Northside are an English alternative rock band from Blackley and Moston in north Manchester, England. Formed in 1989, they released their only album, Chicken Rhythms, on Factory Records in 1991. The band became part of the 1990s Madchester/baggy/indie-rave scene.
Career
Northside was formed by Warren "Dermo" Dermody (vocals/lyrics) and Cliff Ogier (bass). They were later joined by Michael Upton (guitar) and Paul Walsh (drums).{{cite web|last=Sue|first=David|title=Northside – still buzzing after all these years|url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/news/5265_northside___still_buzzing_after_all_these_years|work=City Life|accessdate=18 December 2011|date=14 December 2006}} Upton was replaced by Timmy Walsh before the release of their first single, "Shall We Take a Trip".
=Chart success=
"Shall We Take a Trip" was banned by the BBC for its many references to drugs (specifically LSD), but despite the lack of airplay it eventually broke into the Top 50 in the UK Singles Chart.{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 397}}
The next single from Chicken Rhythms, "My Rising Star", was released in October 1990 and reached No. 32, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/My+Rising+Star|title=my rising star | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company}}
The album itself peaked at No. 19 in June 1991. It was produced by Ian Broudie.
In 1991, Northside scored a minor hit in the United States when their single "Take 5" reached No. 5 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for the week of 5 October.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-songs|title=Alternative Songs: Top Alternative Songs Chart|magazine=Billboard}} It also reached No. 34 on the Dance/Club Play Songs charts that same month. The band performed "Take 5" on Top of the Pops on 6 June 1991, a rare occasion where a song that was not in the Top 40 was played on the show. That week the single was at No.41 and would peak at No.40.
=Second album and breakup=
A second album was recorded, with a planned release date and a catalogue number for the first single "Want a Virgin", however Northside's label Factory Records declared bankruptcy in November 1992 and the band split up.{{Cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/1330281-the-sound-of-indifference--northside-return|title=The Sound of Indifference: Northside Return…|publisher=Drowned in Sound|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104062811/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/1330281-the-sound-of-indifference--northside-return|url-status=dead}}
=Post-split=
In 2003, Dermo and Ogier formed the band Silent Partners, with drummer Malc Law and guitarist Danny Yates; however Ogier left and was replaced by Dom Morrison.{{Cite web|url=https://myspace.com/discover/featured|title=Featured Content on Myspace|website=Myspace.com}} The band toured extensively in the UK, opening for Happy Mondays.[https://www.nme.com/bandComments/silent-partners] {{dead link|date=February 2020}}
Drummer Paul Walsh went on to record and tour with Manchester rock outfit Sons of the Stage, releasing an independent LP, Angel Hill.
In 2006, Northside played gigs in Leeds and Manchester, however singer Dermo was the only returning original member.{{Cite web|url=http://www.prideofmanchester.com/music/2000s.htm|title=Manchester Music in the 2000s|website=Prideofmanchester.com}} Chicken Rhythms was also re-issued in 2006 on LTM Recordings.
In 2006, BBC 6 Music played the song "Shall We Take a Trip" in its entirety on the Marc Riley show, and again on the Steve Lamacq show in 2016 as part of the My Generation series on 1989. "Shall We Take a Trip" was also used as Granada's Soccer Night theme tune throughout the 1990s.{{cite web|last=Stanley|first=Carl|title=Interview with Northside's Dermo|website=Live4ever.uk.com|url=http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2011/06/interview-northsides-dermo-on-a-career-of-triumph-and-tragedy/|accessdate=2011-12-25}}
Dermo formed V Thirteen in March 2011 with Matt Rynn, Doug McCloud and Miz DeShannon. V Thirteen is named after a song by Big Audio Dynamite.{{Cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/review/UK/7583/Read|title=V Thirteen|website=Music-News.com}}
=Reunion=
In late 2013, Northside announced that they were reforming with all four original members. They toured England in April and May 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/northside-reform-manc-baggy-band-returns/|title=Northside Reform: Manc Baggy Band Returns|website=Louderthanwar.com|date=8 November 2013}}
In 2017, Dermo went solo with his debut single "Vultures" on Eromeda Records.
Tim Walsh worked as a sound engineer for 25 years, on shows such as Brookside and Hollyoaks. He died on 19 August 2019.{{cite web|title=HITC|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/09/11/hollyoaks-tim-walsh-tributes-northside-twitter/|access-date=27 October 2021|website=HITC}}
Selected discography
=Albums=
- 1991: Chicken Rhythms FAC 310 – UK No. 19
=Singles=
- 1990: "Shall We Take a Trip" / "Moody Places" FAC 268 (12")
- 1990: "Shall We Take a Trip" / "Moody Places" FAC 268/7 (7") – UK No. 50
- 1990: "My Rising Star"* / Instrumental FAC 298 (12")
- 1990: "My Rising Star" / Instrumental FAC 298/7 (7") – UK No. 32
- 1991: "Take 5"* / "Who's to Blame" (Instrumental) FAC 308 (12")
- 1991: "Take 5" / "Who's to Blame" (Instrumental) FAC 308-7 (7") – UK No. 40
* longer version.
=Videos=
- 1991: "Live"
=Music videos=
- "Shall We Take a Trip"
- "My Rising Star"
- "Take 5"
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vWq5KWn_s Madchester – The Sound of the North (Northside Rehearsal)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj-24V1txtQ Video for "Take 5"]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gROng142-Y ITV Chart Show Indie Chart April 1991 – featuring "Take 5"]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku3g9xPCs0M Video for "My Rising Star"]
{{Authority control}}
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Category:English alternative rock groups