Stuffy/The Fuses

Biography

The band was formed by Stephen Gilchrist (aka stuffy, also the drummer in Graham Coxon's band) who recorded the band's debut album Join Me Or Die before actually getting a complete line up together. The core line up consisting of Jon Fuse (aka Jon Clayton), Jen Fuse (aka Jen Macro), and stuffy formed in early 2003. They released the double A-sided single "Evel Knievel"/"In The River" on Magoo's May Go Zero label. Shortly after they signed to Wrath Records and were the token Londoners on the Leeds-based label.

The next couple of years were spent sporadically touring and supporting such bands as Duels, Battle, ¡Forward, Russia! and Brakes. They were also one of the last bands to record a Peel Session which included a cover of "Top Tim Rubies" by Deerhoof; the session was broadcast on Huw Stephens' show after Peel's death.

In 2005 they recorded the follow-up album Angels Are Ace which was recorded by Steve Albini. The full release of the album followed in 2007 on London based record label Sour Puss.

The band played mainly as a 3-piece for 2007/2008 and played their last show (including Lucy Fuse) on 23 January 2009 at The Windmill in Brixton, South London.

Musical style

The band were described by Artrocker as "XTC pop at Fugazi volume". A review of "Metal Queen Theme" described the track as sounding "like Pixies duelling with Kenickie", while "Sir Wants Sex" drew comparisons with Brian Wilson and The Breeders. A musicOMH review of Angels are Ace described them as sounding "like the archetypical UK indie band". "Where's the Captain" was described by Gigwise.com as "a 3 minute angst ridden blast of paranoia, edginess and scrawling guitars that leaves you exhausted after just one listen", with Stuffy's vocals compared to Frank Black.

Band members

• Stuffy (Stephen Gilchrist) - vocals, drums
• Jon Fuse (Jon Clayton) - vocals, guitar
• Jen Fuse (Jen Macro) - bass guitar, vocals

The band has included several keyboard players during its lifetime

• Steve Fuse (Steve White) - Join Me Or Die sessions
• Doc Fuse (Dr. John Gulliver) - Touring 2003 - 2004
• Chopper Fuses (Ian Cotterill) - Touring 2004 - 2006 & Angels Are Ace recording sessions
• Lucy Fuse (Lucy Parnell) - Touring 2006 - 2007

Discography

Albums

• Join Me Or Die (Wrath Records, March 2004, CD/DD)
• Angels Are Ace (Sour Puss, July 2007, CD/LP/DD)

Mini-Albums

• Little Angels Are Ace - limited advance release of six Angels Are Ace tracks plus "Cardboard Song" ([Advanced] Cat Skills, 2006, CD)

Singles

• "Evel Knievel"/"In The River" (May Go Zero, 7", 2003)
• "Waltz"/"Cull" - Split 7" with Chris T-T (Wrath Records, December 2003)
• "Where's The Captain?" (Wrath Records, CDEP, 2004)
• "Sir Wants Sex"/"Copier" - Split 7" with The Secret Hairdresser (Wrath Records, 2005)
• "Joe C (is and idiot)"/"Mean Man" - Split 7" with The Aprons (Hungry Audio, 2006)
• "Ahhhh Song" (Sour Puss Records, DD, June 2007)
• "Metal Queen Theme"/"Sir Wants Sex" (This Is Fake DIY, 7", Dec 2007)

Compilation appearances

• In Praise of the Kitten - track "Angelina Jolie" (Kabukikore, 2003)
• Truck 8 - exclusive track "You're Very, Very Ugly" (Truck Records, 2004)
• Wombatonebat - track "Fear Me Gaijin" (Nr One Records, 2006)
• Wrathstonbury - track "High Horse" (Wrath, 2007)

References

References

1. Goodyear, Oliver (2005) "[http://www.gigwise.com/reviews/live/8329/Saturday-030905-The-Scaramanga-Six-%C2%A1Forward-Russia-StuffyThe-Fuses-The-Playmates-Yes-Boss-@-Carpe-Diem-Leeds Saturday 03/09/05 The Scaramanga Six, ¡Forward Russia!, Stuffy/The Fuses, The Playmates, Yes Boss @ Carpe Diem, Leeds]", [[Gigwise.com]], 4 September 2005, retrieved 2010-04-11
2. "[http://www.harlowherald.co.uk/content/hlwherald/default/story.aspx?brand=EHHOnline&category=WhatsonMusicPop&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=defaulthlhnew&itemid=WEED08%20Mar%202007%2012%3A39%3A10%3A953 Check out this Stuff]", ''Harlow Herald'', 8 March 2007, retrieved 2010-04-11
3. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/huw/tracksarchive.shtml?050215 Huw Stephens Show 15 February 2005], [[BBC]], retrieved 2010-04-11
4. Heywood, Tony (2007) "[http://www.musicomh.com/albums/stuffy-fuses_0707.htm Stuffy/The Fuses - Angels Are Ace]", musicOMH, retrieved 2010-04-11
5. Yates, Ben (2007) "[http://drownedinsound.com/releases/10362/reviews/2025893-?relevant-artist 24364 Stuffy & The Fuses "Ahhhh Song"] {{Webarchive. link. (7 October 2012 ", [[Drowned in Sound]], 4 June 2007, retrieved 2010-04-11)
6. Dobson, Gareth (2007) "[http://drownedinsound.com/releases/12133/reviews/2660939-?relevant-artist 29915 Stuffy & The Fuses "Metal Queen Theme"/"Sir Wants Sex"] {{Webarchive. link. (7 October 2012 ", [[Drowned in Sound]], 4 December 2007, retrieved 2010-04-11)
7. Colothan, Scott (2005) "[http://www.gigwise.com/news/4156/The-Good-Bad-and-The-Evil---It%5Cs-Singled-Out The Good, Bad and The Evil - It's Singled Out!]", [[Gigwise.com]], 1 February 2005, retrieved 2010-04-11