The Shamen formed in Aberdeen in 1986 to play heavy psychedelic rock, as evidenced on their 1987 debut LP Drop. But there was dissension in The Shamen’s ranks.
Founder Colin Angus had heard hip hop and decided rock ‘n’ roll was no longer where it was at.
Eventually, their style mutated into commercial dance soundscapes, and most of the original members left, leaving a duo of Angus and new bassist Will Sinnott, who was to tragically drown in the Canary Islands in May 1991 while shooting a video
Colin continued the band. and band friend Mr C (real name Richard West) became a full member. Subsequent album Boss Drum provided the act with a UK #1 in September 1992 with Ebeneezer Goode.
This wasn’t the first acid house hit to refer to drugs, but the cheeky double entendre of chorus line “E’s are good, E’s are good, ‘e’s Ebeneezer Goode” and other references throughout Mr C’s lyric made it one of the most blatant drug songs of the period.
The song’s success was doubly satisfying to The Shamen as they lost a chunk of their core audience who saw it as a sell-out.
Derek McKenzie
Vocals, guitar Peter Stephenson Keyboards Colin Angus
Bass, vocals, guitar Keith McKenzie
Drums Will Sinnott
Bass Mr C (Richard West) Vocals
Related Posts
Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The The Sensational Alex Harvey Band placed five albums in the UK Top 20 in three years and were considered capable…
Arrested Development When Arrested Development's debut appeared in 1992, the Atlanta band seemed to herald a new dawn in hip-hop. It seemed…
Trilobites, The Australian power-pop/rock band The Trilobites formed in Sydney in June 1984. Although their sound had descended from Detroit bands such…
Kansas Kansas started out as a bar band playing cover versions of contemporary songs and soul oldies in the American state…
Inspiral Carpets Formed initially as The Furs in Manchester, England, by schoolboy Graham Lambert. He was joined in the mid-80s by Stephen…
Icicle Works, The The Icicle Works formed in Liverpool in 1980 when bassist Chris Layhe answered an advertisement for a musical collaborator placed…
10,000 Maniacs 10,000 Maniacs (named after the low-budget horror movie Two Thousand Maniacs) was formed in Jamestown, NY, in 1981 by singer Natalie Merchant…
No Doubt Driven by a love of all things 2-Tone and led by reluctant star Gwen Stefani, Orange County hopefuls No Doubt…
