STREETLIFE
Last updated: 01-06-2020
- Streetlife Reggae
Basic Information
- Norwich, Norfolk, Uk
- Reggae
E1985 - L1988
Musicians
Record Labels
Related Bands
- Innocent Bystanders, The (3)
- This Big Idea
- Rebel Truce
- Love Explosions, The
- Milk
- Babyman
- Rainy Daze
- Funk Police, The
- Magic Johnson
- Supercirqus
- 20/20 Vision
- Starburst
- Giant
- Victims
- Db's The
- 18 Yellow Roses
- Vital Disorders
- Ouagadougous, The
- Persuaders, The (1)
- Stax Band, The
- Planks, The
- Offeryerface
- Blue Warthogs
- Psychotics, The
- Java (1)
- People Connexion
- Casino Groove
- Frequency Band, The
- Private Members
- Dellusions
Lead Vocals: Darrell Sam RIP (2)Joe Boone am
Lead Vocals: Carlos Armes am
Lead Vocals: Cindy ??
Vocals, Guitar: Cameron Spencer
Bongos: Paul Dacre
Sax: Sean Read (2)Pippa Colwell/Cartwright 87-??
Sax: Mark Ferris
Trombone: Tony Spike Emmerson
Trumpet: Bob Barrell
Keys: Michael Howard
Bass: Micky Mackay (2)Nick Johnson (3)Frankie Holligan
Drums: ?? Ginge ?? (2)Tom Carver (3)CJ Burton (4)Mike Annex Unsworth (5)Steve Barney
unplaced musicians: Flab ex Liberators
Streetlife Reggae formed around 1985 when Dacre and Spencer started jamming with local drummers eventually bringing in Darrell Sam and Cindy ?? on vocals to complete the early line-up.
"My dad was a flamenco guitarist so that’s how I got started. Early on I did an audition for local punk band Der Kitch but then just pulled some mates together to form a band. Reggae was pretty popular at the time, although I was not a big fan also there weren’t any reggae bands locally and it quickly took off. Cindy was my girlfriend at the time and sung dual lead vocals with Darrell Sam." CS31/05/2020
By 1986 the band had added the brass section of Read and Barrell and truncated its name to Streetlife. Mackay had come in on bass and Howard on keys. In 1987 Ferris and Colwell replaced the old brass section and are joined by Emmerson on trombone. Darrell Sams is then replaced by Joe Boone ex Love Explosions and Carlos Armes when Sams is unavoidably held up in Morrocco. It was around this time the band were chosen to play City Sound an ITV talent contest. The band won their heat but were runners up in the final.
In 19?? the band recorded two tracks at London's Maida Vale studios later released on a compilation single in conjunction with the Weh Aye Cocker Club held at the Norwich Arts Centre. "I don't recall anything about the studio other than a plaque on the wall saying "White Christmas was recorded here!"." CS01/06/2020
Final gig listed as Norwich Arts Centre circa 1991
Note: Pick-up and jam bands brought/thrown together for The Cauldron squat/warehouse gigs of 8?-85 appear to have directly related to the forming of more permanent line-ups such as The Love Explosions and Streetlife in particular.
The Love Explosions <> Rainy Daze
| Compilations | |||
| Cover | Title | Label | YoR |
 | WEH AYE COCKER NO2 | WEH AYE COCKER RECORDS | 1980s |
| Position | Track name | Studio | |
| A1 | MAN OF THE TRIBES | MAIDA VALE | |
| A2 | EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES | MAIDA VALE | |
