A-Z Artist Index Compilations Record Labels Media
Help Us! Contact Us Resources Timeline
Bio:
Bankrobbers (one word, no preceding The) formed in Belfast in 1980. Drummer Seamus O'Neill worked part-
time as a chef at the Europa Hotel where he approached manager Mark Walmesley
who had experience booking bands and had made many contacts in that context to
manage the band. He helped raise their profile locally and soon they were a
regular attraction at The Pound. They also gained much publicity through a
poster campaign in Belfast during the local Council's attempt to crack down on
such activities.
In December 1980 they played their biggest gig to date when they opened
(along with the Idle Threats) for the Undertones at the Ulster Hall.
Other notable support slots included the UK Subs and The Kinks in 1981.
They were invited to record a Downtown Radio Session but the band
wasn't happy with the results.
By 1981 the band was ready to record and decided to release a single on their
own label Rob The People Records. In April they entered the studio with Rory
Gallagher's bassist Gerry McEvoy, who they'd met a couple of months earlier, in
the producer's chair. The session went well but due to lack of funds the single
would remain unreleased for over a year. In fact the state of their finances was
so bad that the band was unable to pay the studio bill and engineer Rastus
impounded their gear until they came up with the cash a few weeks later.
A photo session for the sleeve done in Newtownards with the band members wearing
US army surplus combat gear was possibly not the cleverest thing to do given the
time and place! Someone reported suspicious activity and they were stopped at an
RUC roadblack on their return to Belfast. This event was well covered in the
press at the time.
Meanwhile manager Mark Walmesley had left his job in Belfast and eventually wound
up on London where he arranged the bands first English tour for September with the
help of Bob Johnston, manager of The Ruts and The Gas. The tour went very well
and the band supported The Ruts on one occasion. On returning to Belfast they
recorded a live session for the BBC.
With the single still not released and prospects not looking any brighter,
Seamus O'Neill left the band in late 1981 or early 1982. He proved hard to
replace but luckily he returned to the fold 4 months later. Mark Walmesley
returned to Belfast determined to secure a release for the year old single.
Good Vibrations had re-launched with the eccentric Cruella De Ville's debut
single in May 1982 and Terri Hooley was on the lookout for something more
closely associated with the labels history to follow it up. Thus the Bankrobbers'
debut single was finally released on Good Vibrations in the second
half of 1982. Hooley chose to follow this up with
Family Of Noise,
and both bands played the Good Vibes Press Gang Party at The Pound on
September 30th, but the label's fortunes took a downturn and the band was
without a label again.
Seamus O'Neill left again and was replaced by Julian Watson. They added a
brass section in 1983, giving them a bigger sound, and appeared on Channel 4's
"The Tube" Belfast Special. Good Vibrations managed to release a tie-in
single for both Bankrobbers and 10 Past 7,
who also appeared.
Bankrobbers finally signed a deal with EMI in 1983 which resulted in two
singles. They split in 1984.
Joby Fox was later in the Energy Orchard.
Notes:
This single was a tie-in with the Belfast edition of Channel 4's The Tube.
"Jenny" was recorded "with a live feel" in March 1983. "Over The Edge" was
recorded in May 1982 with Gerry McAvoy producing and was originally slated
as the band's second single. The back cover credits Mervin Crawford (sax) and
Alister Wallace (trumpet).
• Jenny
7" - EMI Records - KNAB1 - UK - 1983 - PS
12" - EMI Records - 12KNAB1 - UK - 1983 - PS
We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.