Pool Of Sound - Deaf School

Deaf School

Journalist and author Paul Du Noyer has said, "In the whole history of Liverpool music two bands matter most, one is The Beatles and the other is Deaf School". Holly Johnson from FGTH, states, "They revived Liverpool music for a generation." Ian Broudie, of 'The Lightning Seeds' says, "There was nothing happening in Liverpool before Deaf School and Eric's [club] ... between them they inspired a generation of musical talent."

Formed in 1973 from the students and staff at Liverpool Art College, 'Deaf Schoo'l were named after their rehearsal venue, a former School for the Deaf that became a college annexe. Rehearsing for the Christmas dance performance, with nobody playing an instrument and anyone joining in if they liked,  this informal early line-up was gradually whittled down, though live shows were still chaotic and colourful, marked by their diversity of costumes and instrumentation, with strong elements of performance art.
With a strong set of original songs 'Deaf School' were different to anything else on the college or pub circuit and they soon began making waves. In turn the people who came to watch their gigs saw something they wanted to take part in and that, coupled with the Punk explosion, gave the next wave of Liverpool bands a break.

On stage

The three 'Deaf School' singers all bought something different to the table: Eric Shark was the most Ian Dury-like, but Enrico Cadillac Jnr played a 'spiv like' Master of Ceremonies, a bit like Bryan Ferry, and the gorgeous Bette Bright, ( who would eventually marry 'Suggs from 'Madness' ), was not just a pretty lady, she possessed a tremendously clear and powerful voice.
Each member of 'Deaf School' bought a different theatrical personality with them, which made their live show a riot with everything happening on stage.
Keyboardist Rev Max Ripple wore a leather vicar outfit and was known for giving his own special kind of sermons during gigs. Steve 'Mr Average' Lindsey played the straight man, whilst Cliff Hanger (Clive Langer) tore at his guitar and the wild sax of Ian Ritchie rang clear with drummer Tim Whittaker keeping the beat and a relatively low profile.
In July 1975 they won the Melody Maker Rock/Folk/Pop contest, which was a big deal at the time and this led to the group signing to Warner Brothers. Their debut album, '2nd Honeymoon', was released in the UK in the summer of 1976 but its reception at the time was muted by the sudden popularity of punk rock, a style whose anger and urgency seemed at odds with 'Deaf School's' more whimsical and eclectic approach.

Outside Peter Kavanagh's pub in Liverpool

During this time they played at the first night of Eric's club and their backing really got the venue off the ground. It was soon the place to be seen and 'The Sex Pistols' played there towards the end of 1976. Liverpool’s first Punk band, 'Big In Japan', even featured 'Deaf School's' Clive Langer and Steve Lindsey for a while. 'Deaf School' had played a large part in creating a scene in Liverpool when there wasn't one, but unfortunately it would be their followers who reaped the benefits.
Subsequent albums 'Don't Stop The World' in 1977 and 'English Boys/Working Girls' in 1978, were more aggressive and focused than their first. Despite some lavish promotion by Warner Brothers and their continued popularity as a live act, however, they did not achieve significant chart success. In 1977 their first two albums were re-packaged together for the US market and several American dates were played in support, but no commercial breakthrough was made. By mutual consent the band left Warner Brothers in 1978 and pursued separate careers.

However, 'Deaf School' were an important influence on a lots of groups and not just ones from Liverpool either. Just when it had seemed that music in Liverpool was finished, along came 'Deaf School' to ignite the local scene and pave the way for the likes of 'Teardrop Explodes', 'Echo And The Bunnymen', 'Big In Japan' and many, many more.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2019/06/pool-of-sound-nutz.html?q=Nutz