The Godfathers

The Godfathers are a London alternative rock band formed in 1985 by brothers Peter Coyne and Chris Coyne after the split of The Sid Presley Experience. The group is active from 1985 to the present and is associated with alternative rock, with strong influences from R&B and punk. It is a UK band, and the name is also used by a separate hip-hop collaboration group.

Early releases and breakthrough

The Godfathers build a reputation through extensive touring and a hard-edged live act. Working with producer Vic Maile, they release four independent singles on their own Corporate Image label: “Lonely Man”, “This Damn Nation”, “I Want Everything” and “Love Is Dead”. These recordings, together with a cover of John Lennon’s “Cold Turkey”, are compiled on the debut album Hit By Hit in 1986.

The band signs to Sony/Epic Records in 1987. Their first Epic single, “Birth School Work Death”, becomes a US Billboard Top 40 hit after college radio play and heavy MTV rotation. The album of the same name follows in 1988 and includes the title track, “Cause I Said So” and a re-recorded version of “Love Is Dead”.

1990s albums and line-up changes

More Songs About Love And Hate appears in 1989 and includes “She Gives Me Love” and “Walking Talking Johnny Cash Blues”. After Vic Maile dies and guitarist Kris Dollimore leaves, Chris Burrows joins on guitar for Unreal World in 1991. That album includes the title track and a cover of The Creation’s “How Does It Feel To Feel”.

A live album, Dope, Rock & Roll & Fucking In The Streets, is released in 1992 on Corporate Image. The band later issues two albums on Intercord Records: a self-titled album in 1993, also known as The Orange album, and Afterlife in 1995. The group then ends in 2001.

Reformation and later activity

The original line-up reforms in 2008 to support an expanded two-disc edition of Hit By Hit. The band plays dates and festivals in Britain, Europe and the United States, including revived Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre shows at The Forum in London and at Chicago’s Metro. Former Sid Presley Experience guitarist Del Bartle replaces Kris Dollimore in 2009, and drummer Dave Twigg joins in 2012.

In 2010 the band releases The Godfathers – Shot Live At The 100 Club, a live DVD/CD compilation marking its 25th anniversary. In 2013 it releases Jukebox Fury, its first full-length studio album since 1995, on Godfathers Recordings.

Influence and related acts

The Godfathers are cited as an influence by Local H, Spoon and The Mars Volta. Their songs “Birth School Work Death” and “This Damn Nation” are covered by Local H and Spoon respectively. The band’s members listed in later line-ups include Peter Coyne, Chris Coyne, Chris Burrows, Darrell Bath, Steve Crittall, Kris Dollimore, Mike Gibson and George Mazur.