Snips
From a great lost band of the 70's called Sharks came a great lost artist of the 80's called Snips, a.k.a. Steve Parsons. In 1978 he released an album called Video King (Jet). In 1980 Snips reunited with former Sharks legendary guitarist Chris Spedding and Be Bop Deluxe leader extraordinaire Bill Nelson to record the album La Rocca (EMI 1981). Spedding produced the album but the single "Nine O'Clock" was produced by Ultravox's Midge Ure. In 1994 The Sharks reunited to record the album Like A Black Van Parked On A Dark Curve (Angel Air)
16 Comments:
Bravo. 9 oclock clearly one of the best songs of the obscure 80s. Another hit on this album was Tight Shoes
I love Mr. Snips and want to know what became of him (???) For a guy who recorded three magnificent albums with The Sharks (Chris Spedding and Free's Andy Fraser) and made two great solos produced by Steve Lillywite and featuring folks like Midge Ure, Bill Nelson and Spedding; PLUS sang lead for one album by the Baker-Gurvitz Army (featuring Cream's Ginger Baker and the guys from Three Man Army He sure has a LOW profile these days.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
My favorite solo song "Waitin' For The Night" ... GREAT!
Snips worked in the ad business and is responsible for some v. successful soundtracks.
Snips (real name Steve Parsons) made a string of brilliant singles, and one LP La Rocca, for EMI in early 80's. He appeared on a BBC In Concert from Paris Theatre 22.03.80 with Midge Ure in backing band. I have a hissy cassette recording of this great 1/2 hour show (Let's Go to Work, Mr.Machine, I Am The Line, Baby, Rat Catcher, Lolita and Police Car). Wish someone would put out a cd of his EMI stuff and perhaps include this show. Bloke down road from me in Herefordshire Geoff Haslam (produced VU's Loaded too!) produced his last 7" You're A Wonderful One.
I purchased "La Rocca" on vinyl sometime in the eighties from the "delete bin" in a record shop. This bin contained all the albums by artists whose work had been dumped from the record company catalog after the artist's contract had been terminated. Usually the store had received them on a per pound basis as opposed to per unit.
I bought the album based on the players listed, having never heard of Snips before, and have to say it remains one of my favorite albums even today. The music is pure pop song craft, something lacking in the majority of stuff today.
Snips, where are you? it's Jules and I'm not afraid of you anymore. Do you want to catch up with the 'Nottinhull' people? Charlie no longer. Stephen in Deutchland. Iam,juliatrant@hotmail.co.uk
I worked on an earlier recording of 9 o'clock at Chappels recording studios in Bond Street back in late 70s eary 80s. It's a shame that version is not still about as it has a more raw sound and not as 'polished' as the Ure production.
He's now a film/tv composer and director. A list of his work can be found on the internet movie database http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0663914/
Including his appearance in the Howling 2 as a 80s group singer.
His first feature film Wishbaby has just been released in the UK.
Sharks were really quite highly regarded at the time of their first LP--Lots of high hopes for the band in Spring/Summer '73. Then: nada. "Jab it in Yore Eye" (74) still worth having, though...but whathell ever happened to that great little singer? The other day I saw this wretched horror film "Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf"--absolute dreck--with a miserable & embarrassing 80s pop band interlude, and a singer that resembled Snips, AKA Stephen Parsons. Lo & Behold!
Hi, Snips - knew it was you on the cornflake ads! Doug.
Stephen Parsons is back .... with King Mob!!!! album is coming soon, October or November 2011. Matlock, Martin Chambers and Spedding... and 16 are part of King Mob.
Bought the first Sharks album in 1973 and loved it. Played it to all my friends who also loved it. Remains one of my favorite albums of all time.Bought Jab it in yore eye the day it was released and was gutted to see that Andy Fraser had left. It was good but just not the same. Saw the band at Bishop's Otter College in Chichester that night and remember Snips and Chris Spedding strutting about like like a couple of tossers. Hilarious!
Steve W Parsons is now working on his new band called The PRESENCE. He lives in greenwich with his lovely French girlfriend. What a groovy guy!
Snips Produced a couple of Albums, 1 was a Steve Marriott "30 seconds to midnight.
Also knockin about is Snips in Concert from radio 1's in concert with Midge Ure in the Band..
The see what Mr. Snips is up to lately, please check out "The Presence LDN", his current band.
Saw Sharks at Digbeth Town Hall Birmingham early seventies. Very few people attended, Sweet were at Birmingham Town Hall?? Snips called us all down to the front and said let's have a party. Fabulous band, fabulous singer, great gig!. If you were at Sweet gig, I feel sorry for you.
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