Redwood

(c’89 – 04) Alistair Cowan (vocals / bass), Rob Blackham (guitar / vocals), Angus Cowan (guitar) and Chris Hughes (drums / vocals).

Alistair Cowan and Blackburn, then on keyboards, formed Redwood in Birmingham, Angus Cowan was driving his brother to practice and soon joined. Blackburn moved to guitar and Jaqui Widdowson took on keyboards, with Paul Bennett on bass and Dave Brown on drums.

They secured gigs at The Station, Sutton Coldfield and the Coach & Horses, Balsall Heath. The cassette EP “Slowtrain to Bordom” was reportedly released in late ’89, although the cassette’s sleeve dates it as 1990.

After a period of stability the band was shaken down to just the Cowan brothers, probably due to a move to Woking, who won the Annual Band Competition at Guildford Uni (need to check if Guildford Tech or Surrey University). The University of Surrey’s Fun Fest ’91 had the band joining The Flowerpot Men, The Ha Ha Men, Railroad Earth, and Trousershock BC for an outdoor concert at Surrey Court student residence on 22 June. James Walker joined on drums for a year and played on the “Mary Jane” cassette EP, released in ’93. That same year they appeared at Rock Explosion 2 at the Civic Hall, Guildford. The band began to gig throughout the South East and started a newsletter titled ‘blurb’. On Walker’s departure Hughes took the sticks.

The band played a national band competition held at the Powerhouse Club in London, taking 2nd and the free days recording at Marcus Studios, London prize. They met Tim Hunt here who helped produce the self financed “Head” album. This was released in ’94 and included fan favorite “Sad Sick World”. They also met Barry Campbell who became the bands manager.

In ’95 they started a three year run at the Phoenix Festival, with interest shown by major labels including Polydor and EMI. The free studio time that came with this interest developed into ’95’s release: “Asylum”. Airplay was received from Radio 1 and two appearances on cable TV followed; Melody Maker even gave away tickets for one of their gigs. Redwood play Splatch! at Civic Hall, Guildford on the 16 July ’95 with Headnoise, Supermodel and Disturbing Guests. On 8 August ’95 the band supported Dreamhouse and Dominic Miller, along with Margo Buchanan and John Wiffin, at Splash Club at The Water Rats, Kings Cross. ‘Splatch! Goes to London’ presented Redwood, Who Moved the Ground? and Sugar Cane at The Underworld, Camden on 12 October ’95. Towards the end of ’95 and into ’96 the band started playing more and more acoustic gigs. Local promoter Barney Jeavons had Redwood at the Civic Hall, Guildford for Splatch! on 24 November ’95 which also saw Mega City Four, Doo the Moog, Bennet, and Who Moved the Ground? take to the stage.

The “Lazy Dog” cassette EP followed in ’96, recorded at Raeznor Studios, London with production by Steve Brown. They also toured with Vent 414 (a combo of Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff), Morgan Nicholls (Senseless Things, The Streets, Muse) and Pete Howard (The Clash, Eat)). “Sad Sick World” from the “Lazy Dog” EP was included on “The Best Farnborough Groove in the World – Ever!” Vol.6 compilation in ’96. Farnham ’96, on 23 November at The Maltings, Farnham, was presented by Shed Club and Bluefire Records / Snakebite City. Redwood performed at this one-day festival along with Dweeb, Posh, Supermodel, Chuck, Inter, The Hairy Things, The Bigger The God, Pharmacy, J.C. Regulator, PA Skinny, Twister, Avalanche and Snowball.

Contrast, Redwood, Airhead and Badge played the 4 Play showcase on 31 January ’97 at London Astoria. The Farnham Fusion Festival took place the following month at The Maltings, on 15 February, and featuring Alabama 3, Womb, Beth Orton, Loop Guru, Dr Didg, Orphic Soop, Terminal Head, The Dolman, Pineapple Tribe, Fish Pig, Seed & The Bridge, Decon Prom, Jabanna, Alien Mutation, Peter Sarstedt, Blazing Homesteads, and Past Caring, along with Redwood. A single, ‘Gone’ was published in April ’97, with a video recorded at the Backline Studios, Guildford and in a basement of Angus’ then girlfriend’s home. The band subsequently were signed by A&R man Nick Paige to the US based A&M sub-label Almo Sounds; the same label as Orphic Soop.

In May ’97 they shared the Civic Hall, Guildford stage with Supermodel, Jolt and Inter for another Splatch! night. On 1 May they played the first of 4 in-stores at HMV, Guildford for the release of ‘Gone’ from the forthcoming album “Colourblind”, and were back at HMV on the 27 June. On 12 July ’97, Redwood played the Ambient Green Picnic, Millmead Island, Guildford. The next month (11 August), presaging the release of their album Redwood played their 3rd in-store at HMV Guildford to promote the new single ‘Claustrophobe’.

A CD compilation on the Mother Stoat Recording Co. label [STOAT 006], titled ‘The Best Of Splatch!” was released in ’97 and featured Redwoods’ “Halloween” as the 6th track. Then, in November ’97, their debut album, ‘Colourblind’ was finally released. It was recorded, produced, and mixed by Mark Wallis – who had worked with U2, The Smiths and Wet Wet Wet – at Black Barn Studios, Ripley assisted by Stuart Campbell and Lloyd Gardiner; with Tony Woollard (cello) and Edward Shearmur (strings) – who a couple of years later would be writing the soundtrack for MGM’s Species II – adding depth. Again there was an in-store appearance at HMV Guildford on 27 November; the album’s release leading to several radio appearances.

Redwood’s last single release for Almo Sounds “Anything Goes” [CD ALM 49] came out on 16 March ’98. The A-side was produced and recorded by Pete Smith and was used as background music on a several episodes of Hollyoaks. The 8 May ’98 saw the first Splatch! event at Woking’s H.G. Wells Suite and this put Redwood on stage with Satellite Beach, Salamanda and Enertia. Around this time Blackman began managing and producing the now a three piece Mindwire. Supported by Carina Round, Hangman, and Dan Whitehouse; Redwood were part of the Ronnie Scott’s (Birmingham) Songwriters Festival on 27 July ’98. They were back at H.G. Wells Suite on 18 December ’98 for The Christmas Best of Splatch! that also featured Kilter, Jetpak, and Enertia.

Redwood ceased in 1999, the members forming Lazydog. In July 2000 they performed at Guildford Live as Lazydog and the ’Redwood’ album, which was released in September, was available under this name too. It was in late 2000 that the Almo Sounds label collapsed and the band may have disbanded for a while. In 2001 Hughes joined Mindwire after their previous drummer decided to leave. Redwood then officially split in 2004.

In 2006/07 Redwood reformed to play a benefit gig for a seriously injured friend and subsequently played at GuilFest in 2007 and 2008. A collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks, titled “Roadtrip” [GTR001MCD] was released in 15 July ’07 especially for Guilfest 2007. Blackham went on to be a producer for The Cooper Temple Clause and Reuben among others. The Cowan brothers have played 2 acoustic gigs as Redwood, at the Guildford Festival in 2003 and at Surrey University, in May 2004, and Alistair released a solo album, “Why Can I See Stars” in February 2005. Several members currently play together as a function band called Rollercoaster.

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