The La’s in session tonight – recorded March 1, 1989 for Nicky Campbell at BBC Radio 1
The La’s were from Liverpool, originally active from 1983 until 1992. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Lee Mavers, the group are best known for their hit single “There She Goes”. The band was formed by Mike Badger in 1983 and Mavers joined the next year, although for most of the group’s history, the frequently changing line-up revolved around the core duo of Lee Mavers (vocals, guitar) and John Power (bass, backing vocals) along with numerous other guitarists and drummers including Paul Hemmings, John “Timmo” Timson, Peter “Cammy” Cammell, Iain Templeton, John “Boo” Byrne, Chris Sharrock, and Neil Mavers.
After the departure of Badger in late 1986, the band signed to Go! Discs in 1987 and started recording their debut album. Following the release of singles “Way Out” (1987), “There She Goes” (1988) and “Timeless Melody” (1990) and having aborted several recording sessions with different producers, the band released their debut album, The La’s, in 1990 to critical acclaim and modest commercial success. John Power left The La’s to form Cast and the group entered a prolonged hiatus in 1992. The group later reformed briefly in the mid-1990s, 2005 and 2011. However, no new recordings have been released.
The sound of the La’s has been compared to that of Merseybeat and 1960s British rock music, and the band received comparisons with the earlier Liverpudlian band the Beatles. Founding member Mike Badger has named Captain Beefheart as the La’s’ main influence; the band have also cited artists such as Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks, Bob Marley,Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald as influences.
Pitchfork named The La’s as one of the best Britpop albums, placing the album at #14 in their 50 Best Britpop Albums list. Noel Gallagher of Oasis named it as one of his 13 favorite albums, and they have been cited as an influence by the Courteeners, the Stone Roses, the Charlatans, the Libertines and the 1975.
Okay – over to you.
