16 Tambourines

16 Tambourines

16 Tambourines are a Liverpool guitar pop group active from 1985 to 1990. They develop from the same 1960s-influenced Merseyside pop tradition as acts such as the Pale Fountains and the Lotus Eaters, combining soft rock with a sound that later gains stronger elements of cocktail jazz and soul.

Formation and early line-up

Vocalist Steve Roberts and bassist Tony Elliott meet in 1981 while attempting to form another group, Total Action. After a series of acoustic performances fails to bring in more players, they leave that project. In 1985 Roberts is playing in Indangerous Rhythm with Tony Macguigan, and when that group ends they quickly form 16 Tambourines to play the Drums Over The Mersey festival at Liverpool’s Royal Court. The band takes its name from an album by the Three O’Clock. Elliott joins soon afterwards, followed by Brian Chin-Smithers.

Recording and releases

The group builds a local reputation through frequent live work and records a three-track demo in 1985 featuring “Hope (A Man for All Seasons),” “Jumpin’ in the Fire” and “I Wouldn’t Want to Stop.” The tape attracts the attention of U.K. DJ Con McConville and gives the band radio exposure. By 1987 the line-up expands to include percussionist Dr. Perry Pineapple, guitarist Mike Moran and backing vocalist Susan Elleni.

16 Tambourines sign to Arista Records and release their only album, How Green Is Your Valley?, in 1990. The title track reaches number 78 in the British charts.

Live work and end of the band

The band opens for Squeeze, Hue & Cry and Wet Wet Wet on successful tours. Arista later loses interest in the group, and 16 Tambourines break up in 1990.

Afterwards

After the split, Roberts and Elliott continue together as The Tambourines before that project ends as well. Roberts later works as a solo artist and also records under the name Captain Pop, releasing It Just Is, Shake It Make It & Don’t Fake It and Shut Up & Sing.