(c’83-84) James Johnston (guitar), Paul Dempsey (bass), Jo Byfield (vocals), Paul Bellchamber (guitar) and Kevin ? (drums)

This Cranleigh / Guildford 5-piece band appeared at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 14 January ’84 supporting Screaming Lullabies, along with Dark Paradise and The Spin Dolls. The following month, on 24 February they were supporting Zugang and Kalibre at the Borough Hall, Godalming. At some point Mike Delanian may have played with the band on bass and the was at least one demo on TDK cassette.

14 January 1984: Old Schoolhouse ticket for Screaming Lullabies, Dark Paradise, Cow, and Spin Dolls.

Three months after their first appearance at The Schoolhouse, they were back at the venue with No Joy, Screaming Lullabies, and The Spin Dolls, this time supporting goth rock band In Excelsis, formed by former UK Decay guitarist Steve Spon, on 26 April ’84. Members of COW went on to form Gallon Drunk in ’88.

Johnston was a touring member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in 1994, filling in for Blixa Bargeld during the band’s Lollapalooza stint. He was a full-time Bad Seed from 2003 to 2008, contributing to the albums “Abattoir Blues”, “The Lyre of Orpheus” and “Dig Lazarus Dig”. He has also recorded and toured with the likes of Lydia Lunch, Ulan Bator, Barry Adamson, Faust, and PJ Harvey. Delanian has a writing and piano credit on Holly Golightly’s 1998 “Serial Girlfriend” LP.

Gallery:

Flyer for 14 Jan 1984 COW gig with Dark Paradise, Screaming Lullabies and Spin Dolls at The Old School House. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling.
Soundscene, 19th January 1984
Flyer for Schoolhouse gig with Screaming Lullabies, Dark Paradise, COW, and Spin Dolls.
COW, along with Dark Paradise and The Spin Dolls, supported Screaming Lullibies headlining gig at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 14th January 1984. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling
COW with Screaming Lullibies and No Joy supported In Excelsis the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 26th April 1984. While not listed The Spin Dolls appeared too, Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling
COW at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 26 April 1984. Picture courtesy of Debra Harris