History Mean Red Spiders

There are more than one band that goes by the name 'Mean Red Spiders'. Two are mentioned below.

I. Mean Red Spiders is a Canadian alternative rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in September 1993. Mean Red Spiders' music is largely guitar-based, and influenced by psychedelic music. Stage shows were lit with projected layers of screen images with liquid light techniques. Their music makes extensive use of distortion, digital keyboard loops, recorded voice samples, and effects pedals, creating a repeatable orchestrated wall of Sound style with vocals, considered by some reviewers to fit into the shoegaze, or dreampop genres, or described as being space rock.

The band is not to be confused with the earlier British R&B outfit of the same name (1985-1993) who issued two albums, 'Nude Guitarist in Wet Lettuce Frenzy' (1987) and 'Dark Hours' (1991), the punk rock band made up of members of The Chesterfield Kings, or the UK outfit currently performing under the same name.

Members

Adam Rosen

David Rodgers

Minesh Mandoda

Lisa Nighswander

Greg Chambers

Marco Landini

Eric Abboud

David Humphreys

James Anderson

Scott Cameron

Rob Boak

II. There is NO connection here with the Canadian band with the same name. This very obscure band was from Ipswich England, formed in the 80's, and led led by Toni Vines, one of Ipswich's most experienced guitarists, who played with Alexis Korner, members of the Paul Rodgers band and Andy Fraser's band. He has also played with visiting USA Bluesmen like Louisiana Red, Lowell Fulsom and Jimmy Rogers. Toni went on to play with Paul Martinez (ex Robert Plant Band), Pick Withers (ex Dire Straits) and Mick Avory (ex Kinks). The Mean Red Spiders played on many TV shows and once had record of the week on (OGWT) "Whistling" Bob Harris' BBC Radio 1 Show. "Dark Hours" is a good heavy blues rock album with potent guitar and great harmonica playing. There are a few great original tunes on this album. If there is one "gripe" about the album, it is that most of the tracks are too short, and the music never fully gets a chance to develop. Sadly, the Mean Red Spiders are another "fell by the wayside" band who could have made it big. [ Mean Red Spiders' 1st album, "Nude Guitarist In Wet Lettuce Frenzy" was recorded live at The Oliver Twist in Colchester, 1987, and produced by Dave Hoser & The Mean Red Spiders ] - A.O.O.F.C would sincerely like to thank Zivoin for the info in brackets

Mean Red Spiders - Dark Hours - 1991 - Gray Bros

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1. Feel So Bad - Sharpe

2. Live And Let Live - Wright/Vines

3. Arms Open Wide - Vines

4. Just Can't Stop - Sharpe

5. Love In A Bottle - Sharpe/Wright/Vines/Burrows

6. Drunken Fool - Sharpe

7. Dangerous Games - Sharpe

8. Heaven Above - Vines

9. Teacher - Sharpe

10. Happy On My Own - Wright

11. Murder My Baby - Sharpe

12. Love Won't Save You Now - Wright

13. Sure Can't Hide - Sharpe/Wright

14. Lie And Cheat You Blind - Vines

All the info below was provided by Zivoin. Thanks a million, Zivoin for your invaluable information

MUSICIANS

Can Wright - Guitar, Dobro & Mandolin

Toni Vines - Guitar & Vocals

Mark Sharpe - Harmonica & Vocals

Paul Burrows - Bass Guitar

John Butters - Drums

and

Twink Connelly - Vocals

Reg Webb - Keyboards

Chris Pyne - Saxophone

John Maylam - Trumpet

Recorded in Ipswich, UK.

Produced by Billy Gray

Creative Commons By-SA License