The Pooh Sticks

The Pooh Sticks

The Pooh Sticks are an indie pop group from Wales, active between 1987 and 1995. They form in Swansea and record from 1988 to 1995. The line-up consists of Hue Williams, Steve Gregory and Michel van der Woude.

Style and sound

The band begins in indie pop and twee, with jangly, melodic songs and lyrics that mock the indie scene. This approach appears on tracks such as “On Tape”, “Indie-pop Ain’t Noise Pollution” and “I Know Someone Who Knows Someone Who Knows Alan McGee Quite Well”.

Later direction and releases

On the 1991 album The Great White Wonder, the group shifts away from British twee indie pop towards a more American power pop sound, with comparisons to Jellyfish and Redd Kross. Later albums Million Seller and Optimistic Fool continue in this style. Million Seller is regarded by some power pop fans as the band’s strongest work.

Formation and collaborators

The group is founded by vocalist Hue Williams and producer and songwriter Steve Gregory. The pair create a fictional line-up for the band that includes Trudi Tangerine on tambourine and piano, Paul on guitar, Stephanie Bass-Drum on drums and Alison on bass. Amelia Fletcher appears as guest vocalist on The Great White Wonder and Million Seller.