Arriving at the tail end of the NWOBHM was Yorkshire rockers Baby Tuckoo.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Baby Tuckoo
ALBUM: First Born
LABEL: Ultra Noise
SERIAL: ULTRA 2
YEAR: 1984
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Rob Armitage – vocals * Neil Saxton – guitars * Andy Barrott – guitars, keyboards * Paul Smith – bass * Tony Sugden – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hot Wheels * 02 Things (Ain’t Always What They Seem) * 03 What’s It Worth * 04 Holdin’ On * 05 Mony Mony * 06 A.W.O.L * 07 Baby’s Rockin’ Tonight * 08 Broken Heart * 09 Sweet Rock ‘n’ Roll
WEBLINKS: NA
Background
When the new wave of metal spawned up and coming bands in the late 70’s, little did anyone notice what a profound impact they would have on the future generation. The so called revival started in the UK, and gradually spread worldwide. Good bands survived, bad ones didnt, and some didnt make it at all though they sure as hell deserved to.
Some were cagey and waited for the right deal (ie: Heavy Pettin’ and Diamondhead) while others went to indie labels, including Yorkshire based Baby Tuckoo who were signed to the small label Ultra Noise. On the back cover they certainly look like a happy go lucky bunch of rockers, and that’s definitely the way their music is conveyed on vinyl. Entertaining, but serious too.
It’s not a hamfisted slap happy workout, but more of a professional hard rock feel which is applaudable for a band starting out. Fun rockers indeed, and US keyboard flavoured songs fill up most of the album, and its delivered with freshness and enthusiasm one would expect from a band like Baby Tuckoo.
The Songs
There are some real rabble rousers in evidence, notably the cover version of ‘Mony Mony’ and the opener ‘Hot Wheels’. The songs that catch my ears are the longer classic ones like ‘A.W.O.L’, ‘Things (Ain’t Always What They Seem)’, and ‘What It’s Worth’. These feature crunchy rhythm guitar and Foreigner-esque keyboards from their ‘Head Games’ era.
In Summary
I think they could’ve done well in the US based on this offering. John Verity (ex Charlie) did a reasonable job behind the sound desk, and he started the ball rolling for Baby Tuckoo. Their second album Force Majuere (1985, Music For Nations) is another worth following up on.
Baby Tuckoo unfortunately only lasted two albums, though there were rumours of a third album which remains in unreleased/demo form. Singer Rob Armitage later went on to sing with German rockers Accept.
Video
Things (Aren’t Always What They Seem)
A.W.O.L
