ArtistInfo

Terminal Cheesecake

Band, 1988-1995 GB, London
Rock and Electronic

Terminal Cheesecake are a band formed in North and East London in 1988, put together by Gary Boniface (formerly of The Purple Things and The Vibes) along with Russell Smith (formerly of A.R. Kane and M/A/R/R/S), Mick Parkin and John Jobbagy (drummer from the Vibes and Purple Things) They were the first band signed to the then fledgling Wiiija Records (which later went on to spawn Cornershop, Silverfish, Bis and many more listener-friendly indie-stalwarts). The first Cheesecake and the first Wiiija release was the 12” vinyl EP ‘Bladdersack’. The first album ‘Johnny Townmouse’ which followed on from Bladdersack was indeed a psychedelic bad-acid trip, slab-of-noise version of Beatrix Potter’s nursery story. The band were an impure mash of all things that had gone before, pushed to the extreme. The ‘Cake’s fierce, simple grooves of noise somehow gained some mainstream BBC Radio 1 airplay - much to the bemusement of the DJ’s. In those early days it was the norm to see Cheesecake as main support or to bands such as White Zombie, Prong etc whilst also headlining around London and beyond with bands such as Silverfish, Godflesh, God and Gallon Drunk (with whom Gary often deputised with as Maracas player) in support. Due to the demand of the first album, a second, ‘V.C.L’ was rushed through. This featured another childhood classic; a rendition of the traditional ‘Lord Of The Dance’ (again performed as a fried-nightmare). The album’s title track ‘Valium Chicken Leg’ is a re-purposed cover version of Pink Floyd’s ‘Come in number 51 you're time is up' A 4 track John Peel B.B.C radio session followed shortly afterwards, the band had a shift in personnel, losing original rhythm section players and drafting in Joe Whitney and Gordon J Watson (who had played occasionally with the band up to this point anyway) as Drummer and Bass player respectively. After being signed-up to Kevin Martin’s (GOD/Ice/Techno Animal/The Bug) Pathological label, the band recorded the 1990 classic ‘Angels In Pigtails’ with AR Kane main man Rudy sharing production duties with the band, which was a slight musical departure. Featuring more worldly instruments and other-worldly sounds and samples, it showed a greater depth than the fucked-up all out assault of the previous releases. After this, the band spent some time in the wilderness, though started suffering major problems with personnel, Russell Smith departed ( and later re-appeared in Skullflower and the london based band God ) along with Joe Whitney and several part-timers, and some who shall remain anon came and went. After more changes within the band, Gordon switching to guitar, the erstwhile Fez being drafted in on bass and the solid Paul Morris adding the beats, the band were then back in 1991 with the heavy-heavy sound of ‘Pearlesque Kings Of The Jewmost' released on World serpent Records. Next release was the mini album ‘Gateau D’Espace’, the full length album ‘King Of All Spaceheads’ and the single ‘Oily Hotknife’. These were put out between 1993 and 1994 on the Jackass label which although was another label unable to support the band with any budgets, helped the band have a brief press flurry, including independent chart positionings, single of the week’s in Melody Maker etc. and full-page live reviews proclaiming the band to be "The Armageddon that Ministry promised, but failed to deliver, waiting on your doorstep". The album saw the band go on an all-out dub, hip-hop and beats assault. Including the blatant tracks such as ‘Oily Bud’ and ‘In The St John’s Ambulance Tent Glastonbury ‘89’ firmly defining the band’s intents and passtimes. Furthering the direction towards an all out dub- reggae sound, TC disbanded and Watson and Boniface reappeared along with collaborator Papa Newman in new group Bud Alzir. Band officially re-formed in 2013 with new members Neil "the fish" Francis and Dave Cochrane .

Members

	Joe Whitney dr
	Russell Smith g
	Dave Cochrane b GB
	J. Jobbagy dr
	Gordon Watson g, b
	Gary Boniface voc
	Simon Doling dr
	Steve Fez b
	Paul Morris
	Neil Francis voc
	Mick Parkin b