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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|music|date=May 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2010}}}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Fools Dance
| name = Fools Dance
|image = foolsdance_F1.jpg |
| image = foolsdance_F1.jpg|
|caption = One of four album covers for ''Fools Dance''. From left to right: Pete Gardner, Ron Howe, Gary Biddles, Simon Gallup, Stuart Curran.|
| caption = Fools Dance as pictured on their 1985 EP (L-R: Pete Gardner, Ron Howe, Gary Biddles, Simon Gallup, Stuart Curran)|
|background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
|origin = Horley, Surrey, [[England]]
| origin = Horley, Surrey, [[England]]
|Instruments =
| Instruments =
|genre = [[Punk rock]], [[progressive rock]], [[New wave music|new wave]]|
| genre = [[Punk rock]], [[gothic rock]], [[New wave music|new wave]]|
|years_active = 1983–1987|
| years_active = 1983–1987|
| associated_acts = [[The Stranglers]]<br />[[Lockjaw (band)|Lockjaw]]<br />[[The Magazine Spies]]<br />[[The Cure]]<br />[[Presence (band)|Presence]] |
| associated_acts = [[The Stranglers]]<br />[[The Magazine Spies]]<br />[[The Cure]]<br />[[Presence (band)|Presence]]|
|label = Top Hole<br />Contorsion<br />Lambs to the Slaughter - Prism |
| label = Top Hole<br />Contorsion<br />Lambs to the Slaughter<br />Prism|
|website =
| website =
|past_members = Stuart Curran<br />[[Simon Gallup]]<br />[[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]]<br />[[Matthieu Hartley]]<br />Ian Huller<br />Gary Biddles<br />[[J.J. Burnel]]<br />Pete Gardner<br />Ron Howe<br />Campbell MacKellar<br />Mark Wilson
| past_members = Gary Biddles<br />Stuart Curran<br />[[Simon Gallup]]<br />Pete Gardner<br />Ron Howe<br />[[Jean-Jacques Burnel]]<br />Campbell MacKellar<br />[[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]]
}}
}}


'''Fools Dance''' were an English rock band active from 1983-1987, chiefly noted for their connection to [[The Cure]].<ref name="Fools Dance Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/tourprograms/tp-foolsdance.htm|title=Fools Dance Biography|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref>
'''Fools Dance''' were an English rock band active from 1983 to 1987, primarily known for their connections to [[The Cure]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Price |first=Simon |title=Curepedia: An A-Z of The Cure |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company|William Morrow]] |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-06-306864-3 |location=New York, NY |publication-date=2023 |pages=134–135}}</ref><ref name="Fools Dance Bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/tourprograms/tp-foolsdance.htm|title=Fools Dance Biography|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
In 1982, [[Simon Gallup]] was bassist for [[The Cure]], and Gary Biddles was a member of the band's road crew who was occasionally invited to sing onstage. During the tour for the album ''[[Pornography (album)|Pornography]]'', band relations had become contentious, and during a performance in Belgium, Biddles criticized other Cure members [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] and [[Lol Tolhurst]] from the stage. Gallup then left the Cure acrimoniously and took Biddles with him.<ref name=":1">Price, p. 29.</ref>
Fools Dance was formed in [[Horley|Horley, Surrey]] in 1983 under the name 'The Cry' and consisted of Ian Fuller on vocals, Stuart Curran on guitar, [[Simon Gallup]] on bass guitar, [[Paul Thompson (musician)|Tot]] on drums, and [[Matthieu Hartley]] on keyboards.<ref name="Fools Dance Bio"/><ref name="slicingupeyeballs">{{cite web|url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/04/17/gary-biddles-dies/|title=Gary Biddles, of Cure spin-offs Fools Dance and Presence, dies|website=slicingupeyeballs.com|quote=I was the original drummer with Cry and that’s me drumming at the Rock Garden with Matthieu, Simon and guitarist Stuart Curran, but on this occassion Gary had not yet joined the band and the Singer was Ian Fuller, Gary joined about 2 or 3 months later when the newly named Fools Dance became a 3 piece with just Gary, Simon and Stuart. I later teamed up with Gary on the single They’ll never know. He will be sadly missed. Kindest regards, Tot (Paul Thompson)|date=2013-04-17|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/83/83-3-12-sounds-thecry-sg-wp.htm|title=The Cry|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2020-05-25}}</ref> Shortly after playing their first and only gig as The Cry at the Covent Garden Rock Garden on 19 April 1983, Ian and Tot left.<ref name="Fools Dance Bio"/><ref name="slicingupeyeballs"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/83/83-4-16-the%20cry-advert-simon.htm|title=THE CRY 1983|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2020-05-25}}</ref> Over the next few months, the band recruited vocalist Gary Biddles and went through a succession of drummers, using drum machines when they had none.<ref name="Fools Dance Bio"/><ref name="ronhowe">{{cite web |url=http://www.carmenrosa.com/towelflick/foolsdance/ronhowe.htm |title=Ron Howe Reminisces at The King's Head, Horley |publisher=carmenrosa.com |date=2003-11-03 |access-date=2021-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040825141729/http://www.carmenrosa.com/towelflick/foolsdance/ronhowe.htm |archive-date=25 August 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Eventually, the group changed their name to 'Fools Can Dance' but shortly after found themselves reduced to a trio once again following the departure of Matthieu Hartley.<ref name="ronhowe"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/promophotos/83-FoolsDance-Promo-Photo.htm|title=Fools Can Dance Promo|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref> After performing just one gig under the moniker 'Fools Can Dance', they shortened it to simply 'Fools Dance' and recruited saxophonist Ron Howe and drummer Pete Gardner.<ref name="Fools Dance Bio"/><ref name="ronhowe"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.picturesofyou.us/FoolsDance/83-FoolsCanDance-1stGig.htm|title=Fools Can Dance First Gig|website=Picturesofyou.us|access-date=2021-01-17}}</ref>


Gallup formed a new band in 1983, originally known as '''The Cry''', with singer Ian Fuller, guitarist Stuart Curran (formerly of [[The Magazine Spies]]), drummer [[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]] (formerly of [[Roxy Music]]), and keyboardist [[Matthieu Hartley]] (another former member of The Cure).<ref name=":0" /> This band only performed one gig in April 1983, after which all members other than Gallup and Curran quit.<ref name="slicingupeyeballs">{{cite web |date=2013-04-17 |title=Gary Biddles, of Cure spin-offs Fools Dance and Presence, dies |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/04/17/gary-biddles-dies/ |access-date=2021-01-17 |website=slicingupeyeballs.com |quote=I was the original drummer with Cry and that's me drumming at the Rock Garden with Matthieu, Simon and guitarist Stuart Curran, but on this occasion Gary had not yet joined the band and the Singer was Ian Fuller, Gary joined about 2 or 3 months later when the newly named Fools Dance became a 3 piece with just Gary, Simon and Stuart. I later teamed up with Gary on the single They’ll never know. He will be sadly missed. Kindest regards, Tot (Paul Thompson)}}</ref>
Despite Gallup's prior involvement with [[The Cure]], Fools Dance ultimately had more of a following in the [[Low Countries]] than they did in their native [[United Kingdom|UK]], making it difficult to find the time to record a full-length album.<ref name="ronhowe"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Interview-with-Gary-Biddles-Cure-Roadie-and-895544.php#:~:text=For%20those%20that%20don't,%2C%20also%20of%20the%20Cure).|title=Interview with Gary Biddles: Cure Roadie and Fools Dance/Presence Frontman|date=2011-04-26|access-date=2021-07-18}}</ref> Although hte group began recording some songs at RMS Studios in [[London]], Gallup ultimately left the group to rejoin The Cure, a move that ultimately hindered any of these tracks from seeing the light of day until after Fools Dance had disbanded due to Gallup's departure.<ref name="ronhowe"/> Eventually, by the end of 1985, Fools Dance's self-titled debut EP was released on the Dutch label Universe Productions four months after The Cure's sixth studio album ''[[The Head on the Door]]'', which featured a guest appearance by Ron Howe on the song "A Night Like This".


The band was reformed under the name '''Fools Dance''' with Biddles on vocals, plus saxophonist Ron Howe, and (after using drum machines for a short period) drummer Pete Gardner.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="ronhowe">{{cite web |date=2003-11-03 |title=Ron Howe Reminisces at The King's Head, Horley |url=http://www.carmenrosa.com/towelflick/foolsdance/ronhowe.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040825141729/http://www.carmenrosa.com/towelflick/foolsdance/ronhowe.htm |archive-date=25 August 2004 |access-date=2021-01-17 |publisher=carmenrosa.com}}</ref> This lineup found little success in their native England, but developed a strong following in the [[Low Countries]]. At one show they were supported by [[The Cult]]. Frequent travel to Europe left the band little time for recording.<ref name="ronhowe" /><ref name="seattlepi">{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Interview-with-Gary-Biddles-Cure-Roadie-and-895544.php#:~:text=For%20those%20that%20don't,%2C%20also%20of%20the%20Cure).|title=Interview with Gary Biddles: Cure Roadie and Fools Dance/Presence Frontman|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2011-04-26|access-date=2021-07-18}}</ref> An EP was recorded in 1983 but was not released until 1985, and was re-released several times in following years with minor alterations to the track list.<ref name=":0" />
In 1987, Gary Biddles briefly reformed Fools Dance under a new lineup that included guitarist Campbell McKellar, [[The Stranglers]] bassist [[Jean-Jacques Burnel]], and [[Roxy Music]] drummer [[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]], who had previously been in the group when they first formed as The Cry. They recorded one song and single, "They'll Never Know", but this would be the final release by Fools Dance. Biddles went on to form the band [[Presence (band)|Presence]] with [[Lol Tolhurst]] and [[Michael Dempsey (musician)|Michael Dempsey]].


In late 1984, Biddles brokered a reconciliation between Gallup and Robert Smith. This resulted in Gallup leaving Fools Dance and rejoining the Cure, where he has remained ever since.<ref name=":1" /> Subsequently, Fools Dance broke up, with Biddles retaining the band name. Ron Howe later made a guest appearance on the Cure album ''[[The Head on the Door]]'' in 1985.<ref name="seattlepi" /><ref>Price, pp. 181-182.</ref>
==Line-up==

In 1987, Biddles reformed Fools Dance with bassist [[Jean-Jacques Burnel]] from [[The Stranglers]], a returning [[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]] on drums, and guitarist Campbell McKellar. This lineup released the single "They'll Never Know" before the band dissolved once again.<ref name=":0" /> Biddles later joined the band [[Presence (band)|Presence]] which had been formed by another former member of the Cure, [[Lol Tolhurst]].<ref>Price, pp. 300-301.</ref> Biddles died in 2013.<ref name=":1" />

==Members==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
;The Cry
;The Cry
*Stuart Curran – [[guitar]]
*Stuart Curran – guitar
*[[Simon Gallup]] – [[bass guitar]]
*[[Simon Gallup]] – bass
*[[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]] – [[Drum kit|drums]]
*[[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]] – drums
*[[Matthieu Hartley]] – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
*[[Matthieu Hartley]] – keyboards
*Ian Fuller – [[singing|vocals]]
*Ian Fuller – vocals
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
;Fools Dance
;Fools Dance
*Gary Biddles – vocals
*Gary Biddles – vocals
*Stuart Curran – guitar
*Stuart Curran – guitar
*Simon Gallup – bass guitar, lead vocals (on track 4 of ''They'll Never Know'')
*Simon Gallup – bass
*Pete Gardner – drums
*Pete Gardner – drums
*Ron Howe – [[saxophone]]
*Ron Howe – saxophone
*[[J.J. Burnel]] – bass guitar (on track 1 of ''They'll Never Know'')
*[[Jean-Jacques Burnel]] – bass
*Campbell MacKellar – guitar (on track 1 of ''They'll Never Know'')
*Campbell MacKellar – guitar
*Paul Thompson – drums (on track 1 of ''They'll Never Know'')
*[[Paul Thompson (musician)|Paul Thompson]] – drums
*Mark Wilson – bass guitar (during short-lived relaunch in the late 1980s)
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Discography==
==Discography==
⚫
[[Image:Theyllneverknow_cov.jpg|200px|thumb|Cover of the 1987 single "They'll Never Know"]]
===''Fools Dance''===


* ''Fools Dance'' (EP, 1985) – first released by Universal Productions, re-released with minor alterations by Top Hole Records in 1986, Contorsion in 1986, and Lambs to the Slaughter Records in 1987
{{tracklist
* "They'll Never Know" (single, 1987) – released by Lambs to the Slaughter Records
| title1 = The Priest Hole
| note1 = Track 3 on Universe Productions version
| title2 = Happy Families Waiting (At the Skylab Landing Bay)
| note2 = Track 4 on Universe Productions version
| title3 = I'm So Many (Talk Talk)
| note3 = Track 5 on Universe Productions version
| title4 = Sa'Ha
| note4 = Track 1 on Universe Productions version
| title5 = The Don Diddy Song
| note5 = Track 2 on Universe Productions version
}}

===''They'll Never Know''===
⚫
[[Image:Theyllneverknow_cov.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cover of ''They'll Never Know'']]
All tracks written by Biddles, Gallup and Curran, except where noted.
{{tracklist
| title1 = They'll Never Know
| writer1 = Biddles, McKeller, Thompson
| title2 = The Collector
| title3 = Empty Hours
| title4 = The Ring
}}

===Unreleased songs===
*"Old Door"
*"Wonderful Weekend"
*"Sin"
*"Turn Me Back to Animal"
*"Spinning Around"
*"The Burn"
*"Remembrance Day"
*"Where Do You Sleep"
*"Snakeskin World"
*"Bowdiddly Song"
*"Turning Back"
*"Tapestry"
*"Canaries Out"


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}{{Authority control}}

==External links==
*[http://www.picturesofyou.us/FoolsDance/FoolsDance.htm Fools Dance at picturesofyou.us]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060304155321/http://www.carmenrosa.com/towelflick/foolsdance/ Lyrics]
*{{Discogs artist|267727}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:English new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:English new wave musical groups]]
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1983]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1983]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 05:57, 29 March 2024

Fools Dance
Fools Dance as pictured on their 1985 EP (L-R: Pete Gardner, Ron Howe, Gary Biddles, Simon Gallup, Stuart Curran)
Fools Dance as pictured on their 1985 EP (L-R: Pete Gardner, Ron Howe, Gary Biddles, Simon Gallup, Stuart Curran)
Background information
OriginHorley, Surrey, England
GenresPunk rock, gothic rock, new wave
Years active1983–1987
LabelsTop Hole
Contorsion
Lambs to the Slaughter
Prism
Past membersGary Biddles
Stuart Curran
Simon Gallup
Pete Gardner
Ron Howe
Jean-Jacques Burnel
Campbell MacKellar
Paul Thompson

Fools Dance were an English rock band active from 1983 to 1987, primarily known for their connections to The Cure.[1][2]

History[edit]

In 1982, Simon Gallup was bassist for The Cure, and Gary Biddles was a member of the band's road crew who was occasionally invited to sing onstage. During the tour for the album Pornography, band relations had become contentious, and during a performance in Belgium, Biddles criticized other Cure members Robert Smith and Lol Tolhurst from the stage. Gallup then left the Cure acrimoniously and took Biddles with him.[3]

Gallup formed a new band in 1983, originally known as The Cry, with singer Ian Fuller, guitarist Stuart Curran (formerly of The Magazine Spies), drummer Paul Thompson (formerly of Roxy Music), and keyboardist Matthieu Hartley (another former member of The Cure).[1] This band only performed one gig in April 1983, after which all members other than Gallup and Curran quit.[4]

The band was reformed under the name Fools Dance with Biddles on vocals, plus saxophonist Ron Howe, and (after using drum machines for a short period) drummer Pete Gardner.[1][5] This lineup found little success in their native England, but developed a strong following in the Low Countries. At one show they were supported by The Cult. Frequent travel to Europe left the band little time for recording.[5][6] An EP was recorded in 1983 but was not released until 1985, and was re-released several times in following years with minor alterations to the track list.[1]

In late 1984, Biddles brokered a reconciliation between Gallup and Robert Smith. This resulted in Gallup leaving Fools Dance and rejoining the Cure, where he has remained ever since.[3] Subsequently, Fools Dance broke up, with Biddles retaining the band name. Ron Howe later made a guest appearance on the Cure album The Head on the Door in 1985.[6][7]

In 1987, Biddles reformed Fools Dance with bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel from The Stranglers, a returning Paul Thompson on drums, and guitarist Campbell McKellar. This lineup released the single "They'll Never Know" before the band dissolved once again.[1] Biddles later joined the band Presence which had been formed by another former member of the Cure, Lol Tolhurst.[8] Biddles died in 2013.[3]

Members[edit]

Discography[edit]

Cover of the 1987 single "They'll Never Know"
  • Fools Dance (EP, 1985) – first released by Universal Productions, re-released with minor alterations by Top Hole Records in 1986, Contorsion in 1986, and Lambs to the Slaughter Records in 1987
  • "They'll Never Know" (single, 1987) – released by Lambs to the Slaughter Records

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Price, Simon (2023). Curepedia: An A-Z of The Cure. New York, NY: William Morrow. pp. 134–135. ISBN 978-0-06-306864-3.
  2. ^ "Fools Dance Biography". Picturesofyou.us. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Price, p. 29.
  4. ^ "Gary Biddles, of Cure spin-offs Fools Dance and Presence, dies". slicingupeyeballs.com. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2021. I was the original drummer with Cry and that's me drumming at the Rock Garden with Matthieu, Simon and guitarist Stuart Curran, but on this occasion Gary had not yet joined the band and the Singer was Ian Fuller, Gary joined about 2 or 3 months later when the newly named Fools Dance became a 3 piece with just Gary, Simon and Stuart. I later teamed up with Gary on the single They'll never know. He will be sadly missed. Kindest regards, Tot (Paul Thompson)
  5. ^ a b "Ron Howe Reminisces at The King's Head, Horley". carmenrosa.com. 3 November 2003. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Interview with Gary Biddles: Cure Roadie and Fools Dance/Presence Frontman". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  7. ^ Price, pp. 181-182.
  8. ^ Price, pp. 300-301.
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