(c’89-present) Wob (vocals / guitar)

Solo artist Wob has been on the scene since ’89, with guitar in hand travelling all over the UK and further afield in Europe, Australia and the US. On 7 August ’90 Wob supported Blyth Power, along with Shelley’s Children, at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester. In October that year he joined Blyth Power, but after four years went back to a solo life.

Cycle Records released the “I Can’t Stay Long” LP [CYCLE CD002] in ’95 and on 9 September that year he appeared at Splatch #4 at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Early in ’96 he toured Australia with the Killjoys, picking up the ‘best newcomer’ award at the Port Fairy Folk Festival held at Southcombe Park Sports Reserve, Port Fairy, Australia on 8 March ’96. On returning to the UK we found WOB supporting Who Moved the Ground?, on 12 May ’96, at the University of Surrey, Guildford. The “Friends in the Night” CD EP followed later in the year, again of Cycle [PEDAL 001]. Also, in ’96, “The Poacher” was included on ‘The Best Farnborough Groove in the World – Ever! Vol.6′. The next year he was playing at the Ambient Green Picnic, Guildford; after which he undertook a charity tour of Romania, playing in children’s homes and culture houses.

In ’96, Wob’s “The Poacher” was included on ‘The Best Farnborough Groove In The World – Ever! Vol.6’. PIcture courtesy of Pete Cole

Wob’s “Island” was included as a bonus extra track on the “Wake Up EP”, a re-release of songs originally released by Wake Up as a 12″ miners benefit EP in ’87. The “Acoustic Music” compilation LP on German label Twah! [Twah! 107] carried four of Wob’s tracks in ’97. Recorded in late ’97, the “Straight on Til Morning” CD LP [CYCLE CD 005] was released in early ’98. Wob returned to Guildford’s Ambient Picnic in ’98. “Gather” came along in early ’99 with live tracks from Germany and Austria, studio tracks laid down at Lighthouse Studios, Weymouth and some material left over from the “Straight on Til Morning” session’s with, Billy Bragg’s ex-right-hand man, Wiggy in Wales.

A second tour of Australia followed in March-April ’99. Wob also returned to the Farnborough Groove’ in ’99 with “Hopeless” for Volume 8 and dropped “Vanity” onto the “Fear of a Red Planet” compilation [RPRCD 1]. Around this time a live recording at the Brickhouse of “Mole” appeared on Bluefire Records’ Snakebite City series: ‘Snakebite’s Coming Home’. ’99’s Australian tour’s recordings formed the basis for 2000’s “Shouting from The Shore” live LP on Deep Skill [DEEP SKILL 2]. Later that year Silverleaf was formed with Matt Cooper, John Rutherford and Robbie Davies. The group played the across the UK and in Austria for a couple of years. During Silverleaf’s later days Wob recorded the “With Just One Step” LP, releasing it on Deep Skill [DEEP SKILL 3] in ’03. A ‘new’ Silverleaf with Wig and John Forrester formed to honor bookings. In ’06, Wob recorded “A Month of Sundays”; released in ’07.

Gallery:

In ’95 Cycle Records released Wob’s “I Can’t Stay Long” LP [CYCLE CD002]
12 July 1997: Wob played the Ambient Green Picnic, Millmead Island, Guildford. Source: GuilFin
“Acoustic Music” compilation LP on German label Twah! [Twah! 107] carried four of Wob’s tracks in ’97.
Recorded in late ’97, the “Straight On Til Morning”CD LP [CYCLE CD 005] was released in early ’98
Wob appeared on the Geronimo! Acoustic stage at Guildford’s Ambient Picnic 1998. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
Wob appeared on the Geronimo! Acoustic stage at Guildford’s Ambient Picnic 1998. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
Wob’s “Gather” came along in early ’99.
’99’s Snakebite’s Coming Home [BLU13] bought crried only one live track, recorded by WOB at Brickhouse
Wob returned to the Farnborough Groove’ in ’99 with “Hopeless” for Volume 8. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
In ’99 Wob dropped “Vanity” onto the “Fear Of A Red Planet” compilation [RPRCD 1]
Recordings from 1999’s Australian tour formed the basis for 2000’s “Shouting From The Shore” live LP on Deep Skill [DEEP SKILL 2].
During Silverleaf’s later days Wob recorded the “With Just One Step” LP, releasing it on Deep Skill [DEEP SKILL 3] in ’03
Wob’s “Island” was included as a bonus extra track on the “Wake Up EP”, a re-release of songs originally released by Wake Up as a 12″ miners benefit EP in 1987
WOB