Shrubbies

After playing bass guitar in a jazz fusion band, Craig Fortnam had a chance meeting with the former Cardiacs member William D. Drake, which led to him joining Drake's post-Cardiacs psychedelic pop{{Cite web |last=Lester |first=Paul |date=4 November 2016 |title=Outer Limits: How Prog are North Sea Radio Orchestra? |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/outer-limits-how-prog-are-north-sea-radio-orchestra |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=Prog}} combo Lake of Puppies with Sharron Saddington.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Ben |date=22 June 2011 |title=Interview: North Sea Radio Orchestra |url=http://www.thestoolpigeon.co.uk/features/interview-north-sea-radio-orchestra.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705095042/http://www.thestoolpigeon.co.uk/features/interview-north-sea-radio-orchestra.html |archive-date=5 July 2011 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=The Stool Pigeon}} Fortnam fell in love with Saddington, and the couple formed the Shrubbies alongside former Cardiacs and Sea Nymphs member Sarah Smith on saxophone and keyboards, and Ben Clarke on drums. Former Cardiacs drummer Dominic Luckman joined the fold when Clarke left the band.{{cite book |author=Davis |first1=Steve |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPD5DwAAQBAJ |title=Medical Grade Music |last2=Torabi |first2=Kavus |date=15 April 2021 |publisher=Orion Publishing Group |isbn=9781474619509 |location=London |author-link1=Steve Davis |author-link2=Kavus Torabi}} Note: Search "Shrubbies".{{Cite web |last=Sgrignoli |first=Marco |date=20 July 2022 |title=Cardiacs - biografia, recensioni, streaming, discografia, foto |url=https://www.ondarock.it/rockedintorni/cardiacs.htm |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Ondarock |language=it |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171551/https://www.ondarock.it/rockedintorni/cardiacs.htm |url-status=live }} The pop group,{{Cite web |last=Marmoro |first=Gianfranco |date=13 July 2019 |title=North Sea Radio Orchestra - Gap Species :: Le Recensioni di OndaRock |url=https://www.ondarock.it/recensioni/2019-northsearadioorchestra-gapspecies.htm |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Ondarock |language=it |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171707/https://www.ondarock.it/recensioni/2019-northsearadioorchestra-gapspecies.htm |url-status=live }} initially called Shrubby Veronica,{{Cite web |date=8 March 1999 |title=The Cardiacs - FAQ |url=http://www.cardiacs.com/cardiacs-faq.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803113819/http://www.cardiacs.com/cardiacs-faq.html |archive-date=3 August 2002 |access-date=15 October 2022 |website= |publisher=Cardiacs}} originated from Balham, London in 1996.{{Cite web |title=Shrubbies |url=https://myspace.com/theshrubbies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624065031/https://myspace.com/theshrubbies |archive-date=24 June 2013 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Myspace}} They gigged enthusiastically in London and beyond, supporting a headlining gig by Huge Baby and playing concerts with like-minded bands the Monsoon Bassoon, Podsdarapomuk and Delicate AWOL.{{cite book |last=Bell |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JuzoclLVSpQC |title=Aylesbury Bolton Wolverhampton Hove: A Little Man and 101 Cardiacs Gigs |publisher=Iron Bell Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-95-687950-9 |location=Sullivan County, New York |pages=202}} Following Sarah's departure from the band (prior to 8 March 1999), Dan Maitland signed up.

{{Quote box|I began to realise that most people were there for a social thing, and people were talking all the way through. That just started annoying me and I thought, 'I'll write music that doesn't have drums, that isn't loud, and we’ll play places where people sit down and then they won’t talk.'

| source = —Craig Fortnam to The Stool Pigeon

| width = 30em

| style = padding:8px;

}} Though the collaboration was creatively rewarding for Fortnam, he became disillusioned with playing the traditional indie rock toilet circuit. Fortnam was annoyed the poor etiquette and atmosphere he encountered at concerts, so the band split up in 1999.{{Cite web |date=4 January 2019 |title=Gap Species |url=https://northsearadioorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/gap-species |access-date=18 September 2022 |publisher=North Sea Radio Orchestra |via=Bandcamp |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170931/https://northsearadioorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/gap-species |url-status=live }}{{Efn|name=Gap Species|Descriptions of the North Sea Radio Orchestra album Gap Species suggest that Shrubbies dissolved in 1998.{{Cite web |date=4 January 2019 |title=Gap Species |url=https://northsearadioorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/gap-species |access-date=18 September 2022 |publisher=North Sea Radio Orchestra |via=Bandcamp |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170931/https://northsearadioorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/gap-species |url-status=live }}}} Following their dissolution, Fortnam went to Dartington College to study composition and decided he "wanted to be Stravinsky", married Saddington and recruited like-minded musicians associated with Cardiacs and classical connections to form the North Sea Radio Orchestra, with Sharron on lead vocals.

Shrubbies, featuring Dominic Luckman, were set to specially reform for the Alphabet Business Convention at the Salisbury Arts Centre on 26 August 2017,{{Cite web |last=Worral |first=Sean |date=15 March 2017 |title=ORGAN THING: William D Drake will play a rousing selection of tunes from the Mr Drake and Sea Nymphs repertoire for free this Friday… |url=https://organthing.com/2017/03/15/organ-thing-william-d-drake-will-play-a-rousing-selection-of-tunes-from-the-mr-drake-and-sea-nymphs-repertoire-for-free-this-friday/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Organ |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108225948/https://organthing.com/2017/03/15/organ-thing-william-d-drake-will-play-a-rousing-selection-of-tunes-from-the-mr-drake-and-sea-nymphs-repertoire-for-free-this-friday/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Drake |first=William D. |author-link=William D. Drake |title=ABC, Salisbury Arts Centre 26th August |date=18 March 2017 |url=https://williamddrake.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/abc-salisbury-arts-centre-26th-august/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |publisher=William D Drake |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108225948/https://williamddrake.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/abc-salisbury-arts-centre-26th-august/ |url-status=live }} but were replaced by the band Prescott on the revised bill.{{Cite web |date=14 August 2017 |title=The Alphabet Business Convention - Revised bill for the day! |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1037922566311179 |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Facebook}}

The Shrubbies' discography was produced by Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith and released though the record label Merlin Audio. The songs were recorded at Apollo 8 in Chessington, Surrey and Purple Studios in Norwich, Norfolk. The music has been described as folk-pronk and folk prog by Misfit City and {{interlanguage link|Ondarock|it}} respectively,{{Cite web |date=18 March 2003 |title=North Sea Radio Orchestra @ St Clement Eastcheap |url=https://misfitcity.org/2003/03/18/concert-review-north-sea-radio-orchestra-st-clement-eastcheap-city-of-london-england-15th-march-2003-a-polished-victorian-never-never-land-of-intricate-miniatures-and-toymaker/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Misfit City |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171747/https://misfitcity.org/2003/03/18/concert-review-north-sea-radio-orchestra-st-clement-eastcheap-city-of-london-england-15th-march-2003-a-polished-victorian-never-never-land-of-intricate-miniatures-and-toymaker/ |url-status=live }} and their releases have been categorised as acoustic pop, baroque pop, electroacoustic folk, folk baroque, psychedelic folk, psychedelic pop and psychedelic rock.{{Cite web |date=24 September 1997 |title=The Shrubbies |url=https://misfitcity.org/1997/09/24/september-1997-ep-reviews-the-shrubbies-the-shrubbies-bouncing-up-and-down-on-a-deep-springy-pile-of-autumn-leaves/ |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=Misfit City |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171811/https://misfitcity.org/1997/09/24/september-1997-ep-reviews-the-shrubbies-the-shrubbies-bouncing-up-and-down-on-a-deep-springy-pile-of-autumn-leaves/ |url-status=live }} A four-track EP released in 1997 and the album Memphis in Texas in 1999 following the dissolution.

{{Infobox album

| italic_title = no

| name = The Shrubbies

| type = EP

| artist = the Shrubbies

| cover = The Shrubbies EP.png

| border =

| alt =

| released = 20 September 1997

| recorded =

| studio = Apollo 8 (Chessington)

| genre =

| length = {{Duration|15:27}}

| label = Merlin Audio

| producer = Tim Smith

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| chronology =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Shrubbies

| type = ep

| title = The Shrubbies

| year = 1997

| next_title = Memphis in Texas

| next_year = 1999

}}

}}

A self-titled EP featuring a selection of songs from Memphis in Texas was released by Merlin Audio on 20 September 1997, exclusively on CD. Misfit City described the tracks as "four complex and leaping songs, swinging through an adventure playground of sophisticated eccentric harmony based around Craig’s dextrous gut-strung acoustic guitars and Sharron’s fluffy chirrup", praising Sarah Smith's saxophone and keyboard riffs.

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Sharron Saddington except "Sabled Fur" by Craig Fortnam

| all_music = Fortnam

| headline =

| title1 = Carefree Clothes

| note1 =

| length1 = 3:31

| title2 = Body Cried Alive

| length2 = 4:13

| title3 = Perfect Present

| length3 = 4:08

| title4 = Sabled Fur

| length4 = 3:26

| total_length = 15:27

}}

Credits adapted from The Shrubbies EP liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Shrubbies |year=1997 |publisher=Merlin Audio |type=liner notes |id=MER97028CD |via=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4720487-The-Shrubbies-The-Shrubbies |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920194217/https://www.discogs.com/release/4720487-The-Shrubbies-The-Shrubbies |url-status=live }}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Shrubbies

• Sharron Saddington – vocals, bass guitar
• Dominic Luckman – drums
• Sarah Smith – vocals, {{sic|saxaphone}}, keyboards
• Craig Fortnam – vocals, guitar

{{col-2}}

;Additional musicians

• Tim Smith – handclaps on "Perfect Present"
• Rob Deschamps – French horn on "Carefree Clothes"

;Technical

• Tim Smith – production
• Matthew Cutts – photography
• John Whitehouse – digital mastering

{{col-end}}

{{Infobox album

| italic_title = no

| name = Memphis in Texas

| type = studio

| artist = Shrubbies

| cover = Memphis in Texas.png

| border =

| alt =

| released = 1999

| recorded =

| studio = *Apollo 8 (Chessington)

• Purple Studios (Norwich)

| genre =

| length = {{Duration|46:03}}

| label = Merlin Audio

| producer = Tim Smith

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| chronology =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Shrubbies

| type = studio

| title = Memphis in Texas

| prev_title = The Shrubbies

| prev_year = 1997

| year = 1999

}}

}}

The Shubbies' lone album was released on CD by Merlin Audio in 1999. Memphis in Texas (stylised in all lowercase) was reissued on Bandcamp on 11 September 2011.{{Cite web |date=11 September 2011 |title=Shrubbies' Community |url=https://shrubbies.bandcamp.com/community |access-date=17 September 2022 |publisher=Shrubbies |via=Bandcamp |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171809/https://shrubbies.bandcamp.com/community |url-status=live }}

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Sharron Saddington except "Sabled Fur" by Craig Fortnam

| all_music = Fortnam

| extra_column = Vocal

| title1 = My Shoulder Ride

| note1 =

| length1 = 2:55

| extra1 = Sharron

| title2 = No Sounds

| length2 = 2:21

| extra2 = {{hlist|Sharron|Craig}}

| title3 = Body Cried Alive

| length3 = 4:15

| extra3 = Sharron

| title4 = Sabled Fur

| length4 = 3:30

| extra4 = Craig

| title5 = Twiddle Your Thumbs Mum

| length5 = 2:00

| extra5 = Sharron

| title6 = Carefree Clothes

| length6 = 3:31

| extra6 = Sarah

| title7 = Visitors' Book

| length7 = 3:50

| extra7 = Sharron

| title8 = Memphis in Texas

| length8 = 7:42

| extra8 = {{hlist|Sharron|Craig}}

| title9 = Perfect Present

| length9 = 4:09

| extra9 = Sharron

| title10 = Hearty Connection

| length10 = 5:07

| extra10 = Sharron

| title11 = Knives

| length11 = 6:43

| extra11 = Sharron

| total_length = 46:03

}}

• Adapted from Bandcamp.{{Cite web |date=11 September 2011 |title=memphis in texas |url=https://shrubbies.bandcamp.com/album/memphis-in-texas |access-date=17 September 2022 |publisher=Shrubbies |via=Bandcamp}}

Adapted from the Memphis in Texas liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Memphis in Texas |year=1999 |publisher=Merlin Audio |type=liner notes |id=MER99105CD |via=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1966860-Shrubbies-Memphis-In-Texas}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Shrubbies

• Sharron Saddington{{efn|Saddington is credited as "Sharron Fortnam" on Bandcamp, following her marriage to Craig.}} – vocals, bass guitar
• Dominic Luckman – drums, percussion
• Sarah Smith – vocals, saxophone, keyboard, Hammond organ, cello
• Craig Fortnam – vocals, guitars, keyboard, harmonium

{{col-2}}

;Additional musicians

• Tim Smith – handclaps on "Perfect Present"
• Rob Deschamps – French horn on "Carefree Clothes"
• The Inkling Quartet – strings on "Hearty Connection"

;Technical

• Jonnie Hamilton – photography
• Big Faluda Productions (Ian Johnson) – design
• Tim Smith – production

{{col-end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Cardiacs}}

Category:English pop music groups

Category:Psychedelic pop music groups

Category:Indie rock groups from London

Category:Musical groups established in 1996

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998

Category:1996 establishments in England

Category:1998 disestablishments in England