Terminal Cheesecake

Terminal Cheesecake

Terminal Cheesecake is a London experimental rock group formed in 1988 in North and East London. The lineup is centred on Gary Boniface, also known as Jah Geezer, who previously plays in The Purple Things and The Vibes, alongside Russell Smith, Mick Parkin and John Jobbagy. The group remains active and has also included Dave Cochrane, Neil Francis, Gordon Watson and Scott Kiehl.

Early releases and Wiiija Records

The band becomes the first act signed to the newly formed Wiiija Records. Its first release, and the label’s first release, is the 12-inch EP Bladdersack. The record is built around abrasive noise, heavy rhythm and feedback, and marks the start of the band’s recorded output. Their first album, Johnny Townmouse, follows and turns Beatrix Potter material into a noise-heavy psychedelic interpretation.

A second album, V.C.L, follows because of demand for the debut. It includes a version of the traditional song “Lord of the Dance” and a reworked cover of Pink Floyd’s “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” under the title “Valium Chicken Leg”.

Personnel changes and later records

After the early releases, the band changes line-up. Joe Whitney and Gordon J Watson join as drummer and bass player, with Gordon later switching to guitar. Around this period, Russell Smith departs and later reappears in Skullflower.

In 1990, Terminal Cheesecake records Angels in Pigtails for Kevin Martin’s Pathological label, with Rudy of AR Kane sharing production. This album broadens the group’s sound with additional instruments, samples and dub influences. It includes material built from Funkadelic beats, hand drills, Stravinsky samples, a version of The Residents’ “Hello Skinny”, and “Track 9”, a three-part reworking of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

In 1991 the band releases Pearlesque Kings of the Jewmost on World Serpent. The album develops the group’s dub elements further, while also featuring more rock-oriented playing and another Pink Floyd cover, “Obscured”.

Mid-1990s activity

Further line-up changes follow, and the band records at Camden Lock Studios in sessions that produce the mini-album Gateau D’Espace, the album King of All Spaceheads and the single “Oily Hotknife”. These are issued between 1993 and 1994 on the Jackass label. The recordings combine dub, hip-hop, beats, African drums, Tibetan gongs, Mexican brass and a range of samples, including references to Floyd, Hendrix and Davey Allen.

Live performances during this period also feature didgeridoo from Boris Botulism and guest MC vocals from MC Freaky, with films and slides supplied by Tog and Swami.

Related projects and later activity

After Terminal Cheesecake stops, Gary and Gordon form the dub reggae group Bud Alzir. Simon Doling later works with Damo Suzuki of Can in 2004 as part of a backing ensemble. Gordon also performs in Horseloaf, J>A>W>, Føl, Ouisa and Ebowla. Gary continues writing and producing, while Russell Smith returns to music activity. Material by the band remains unreleased outside the original vinyl editions of the Wiiija recordings.