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Bio:
The Screech Owls began as a duo of Debbie Schow (AKA Skhow, an
American based in Dublin) and Richard Evans (AKA Dik of the Virgin Prunes)
originally known as The Kid Sisters.
An early, as yet unnamed version of the band was mentioned in an article In Dublin magazine
in May 1986. They were rehearsing in Temple Rehearsal Studios in Dublin since February with
John Bonnie (ex Boneshakers, future Those Handsome Devils)
on drums and Alan Taaffe (ex Gorehounds) on bass. Taaffe by that
stage had been in 14 bands in 8 years, playing everything from disco to psychobilly.
The Screech Owls recorded a demo in 1988 with the help of Brain Neavyn (bass) and Dave Burke (drums) of
The Slowest Clock.
They relocated to London in search of a permanent rhythm section and added
bassist/multi-instrumentalist Martyn Baker and future Tinderstick drummer (name???)
to the lineup.
Other
members have included Duncan O'Celliagh (AKA Parvoart), Sheila O Sullivan and Miyouki
Katsuna among others while noted trumpeter Ian Smith (of Real Wild West)
guested on recordings.
The "Desert" single was self-released in the early 90s, distributed by Rough Trade. A video
was made by Peak Productions in Dublin. Schow's spoken vocal sounds a little like
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. The A-side
was reissued on CD by Boa Records in 1996 with 3 bonus tracks. The second single "Pray For Rain"
was issued on the short-lived Wednesday Works label.
The band recorded sessions for Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 1) and Dave Fanning
(RTE) and were broadcast live on Anna Livia Radio (Dublin), Radio Na Life
(Dublin) and on the BBC in Belfast and Scotland (exact details unknown).
Note: The B-side features Neavyn & Burke and was recorded in 1988.
Note: Scottish music/spoken word compilation, also featuring Adventures In Stereo, John Cavanagh, Cowboy Ernie Sites, Peter Easton, Electroscope, D.P. Hughes, Interceptors, Magoo, Mogul, Netto Warrior, One Dove, Policecat, Rhatigan, Urusei Yatsura, and Van Impe
Note: Boa Records is based in Glasgow and owned by The Elecroscope (Gayle Brogan & John Cavanagh) who make a guest appearance on the track "Ghost".
Note: Also featuring Arab Strap, Amp, and Machismos
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.