The Wendys

The Wendys

The Wendys are a Scottish alternative indie rock group from Edinburgh, United Kingdom, active from 1990 to 1999. The band forms around Arthur Renton and Jonathan Renton, with John Renton on vocals, Ian White on guitar, Johnny MacArthur on drums, and Arthur Renton on bass.

History

The band emerges from Edinburgh in the early 1990s and becomes associated with Madchester and baggy-influenced guitar pop. They gain critical attention and the usual attention from Factory Records figure Tony Wilson, and are promoted as a potential major new act as the wider scene around the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays fades. Their debut album, Gobbledygook, is produced by Ian Broudie and appears in 1991 on Factory. Although critics praise the record, it does not find a large audience, and the collapse of Factory affects the group’s momentum.

Later releases

As grunge dominates radio, the band’s style has less space in the market. Their second album, Sixfootwingspan, is released by Starshaped in 1999.