Band/Artist: China Doll
Song: Oysters And Wine
Album: Oysters And Wine (single)
Style: NWOBHM/Heavy Metal
country/location: Poole, Dorset, UK
release: 1980
Well throw me a grenade I've been really really bad at this posting regularly thing! Sure I've been busy with work, shows, and travels, but seriously no excuse!
So the old school series continues with this un-metally named band, China Doll. This UK based band only released a 2 song single/demo back in 1980, but for only two songs they said a lot. This song in particular is a nice slab of old school metal. China Doll by today's standards wouldn't be considered all that heavy, and honestly even in their day, they weren't the heaviest band. However, the early metal elements are all there, powerful and driving riffs played by razor sharp guitars, a hard rockin' rhythm section, melodic but forceful vocals and a lot of soulful but shredding solos and licks. This song has a little bit of Beatles influence as evident by the very playful and creative lyrics; some of the guitar lines have an almost old rock and roll quality to them, while others seem to be plucked rather than strummed. Despite it being an old recorded single, the production is pretty damn clear. You can hear every instrument and every line sung by the singer, and yet it has a raw and almost punk atmosphere to it (plus you can barely hear the cracks and pops of the record). This song is a true old school gem and deserves to be enjoyed more! I'd be interested to know what happened to them as well.
7 comments:
I am the daughter of the bass player from China doll, Gary Gahan. I can tell you that he is still currently performing in a band, mostly local pubs across the dorset area. As for the other band members, to my knowledge they are not currently in any bands, but still enjoy playing music.
I am Gary Gahan's daughter (the bass player from China Doll) and I am happy to let you know that he is still currently playing in a band named Relentless, mostly playing at local pubs around the dorset area. As for the other members of china doll, as far as i'm aware they are not currently in any band but do still enjoy playing music!
I am Gary Gahan's daughter (the bass player from China Doll) and I am happy to let you know that he is still currently playing in a band named Relentless, mostly playing at local pubs around the dorset area. As for the other members of china doll, as far as i'm aware they are not currently in any band but do still enjoy playing music!
Woah that's amazing! Please give my best regards to your father and and tell him that there are people in the States (well at least one person) who would've loved to have seen China Doll live!
Someday I'll see him in Relentless!
(sorry for the delayed response, I've been on blog hiatus!)
Pete Fitch, the guitarist, plays in a couple of bands in the Poole area: 'QED', and 'Rock U'.
Pete's been playing with QED for about 20 years now, and they are extremely well known across Dorest and Hampshire area.
Gary (Gahan) did a stint in QED for a couple of years, although left about 10 years ago. Pete and Gary remain very good friends.
Cheers.
Hi.
Pete Fitch, the guitarist, plays in a band called 'QED', who play in the Poole area in Dorset, and have been going for around 30 years now I believe. Pete's been with them for just over 20 years. In fact, QED did use to play Oysters and Wine as part of their set, although they don't now.
Also, Gary played in QED himself for 2-3 years or so, although this will have been about 10-12 years ago now.
Cheers.
Again, I apologize for the super super delayed response! Thank you both so much for filling me in on the lives of China Doll! Again, I hope to see them play live someday!
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