Little Angels: Big, Bad and Back...For Good?
Frontman Toby Jepson and keyboardist Jim Dickinson talk setlists, returning to Newcastle City Hall, and why this comeback feels permanent.
Words: David Weddle
Artist: Little Angels
Artist: Little Angels
"We all feel this is the right moment... watch this space." — Toby Jepson
Back in 1994, English rock band Little Angels seemed to be flying high after their 3rd and final studio album Jam hit the number 1 spot in the UK charts, so it was a huge shock when the band said farewell to their loyal fans with a sold-out gig at the Royal Albert Hall and went their separate ways.
We all thought that was it for the Scarborough five-piece, and although it was sad, over time fans learned to accept that this powerhouse of musical goodness had closed the doors for good.
We all thought that was it for the Scarborough five-piece, and although it was sad, over time fans learned to accept that this powerhouse of musical goodness had closed the doors for good.
Toby Jepson and Jim Dickinson on stage at Newcastle City Hall 1993
Each member of the band went on to pursue their own paths from new bands and management to the Dickinson brothers following a route into teaching. Frontman Toby Jepson continued to create and release music as a solo artist as well as taking to the mic for several bands over the years including Fastway (with "Fast" Eddie Clarke from Motörhead), GUN and of course more recently Wayward Sons. So with their lives now mapped out in different directions it seemed that the band getting back together was an impossible dream.
Then, in 2012 something unexpected happened: the band reformed, albeit temporarily, for a short run of dates culminating in the huge final festival shows at Download and the Isle of Wight Festival. Sadly, I didn't get to see this reformation, but the videos of that time are testament to the band's continued affinity with the fans that had endured, and the atmosphere in those shows looked just as electric as I remembered from the 1990s.
Again, the band called it a day, and again, the fans, over time, got used to the idea that the songs they loved were to remain just a memory. Until, that is, the band announced a reunion earlier this year, 13 or so years since they said farewell for the second time.
Keyboard player Jim Dickinson explained some of the reasoning behind the timing of this reunion: "We've been asked why now? and I guess the feeling is 'Why not?' Sometimes bands reform around a specific anniversary - it's been 33 years since our last studio record 'Jam' hit the number one spot - so I guess we missed that one - the truth is it just feels right.
The catalyst for our reunion in 2012 was a sad one - the funeral in Darlington of our beloved drummer Mickey Lee. What followed was an iconic rain soaked show at Download, which then led to successful UK tour before we stepped back into our respective other lives. But this time it feels different somehow - more permanent.
Back at the start, like our audience, we were so young with all the possibilities of life stretching out before us. That feeling was embedded in our songs like 'Too Much too Young', 'Young Gods' and 'Kicking up Dust'. It's funny, but when we play those songs now, those same lyrics seem to work in reverse - looking back over our lives and the lives of our fans since we parted ways. Our fans have always meant everything to us - I know all bands say that, but we really do have the greatest and most loyal fans ever"
Then, in 2012 something unexpected happened: the band reformed, albeit temporarily, for a short run of dates culminating in the huge final festival shows at Download and the Isle of Wight Festival. Sadly, I didn't get to see this reformation, but the videos of that time are testament to the band's continued affinity with the fans that had endured, and the atmosphere in those shows looked just as electric as I remembered from the 1990s.
Again, the band called it a day, and again, the fans, over time, got used to the idea that the songs they loved were to remain just a memory. Until, that is, the band announced a reunion earlier this year, 13 or so years since they said farewell for the second time.
Keyboard player Jim Dickinson explained some of the reasoning behind the timing of this reunion: "We've been asked why now? and I guess the feeling is 'Why not?' Sometimes bands reform around a specific anniversary - it's been 33 years since our last studio record 'Jam' hit the number one spot - so I guess we missed that one - the truth is it just feels right.
The catalyst for our reunion in 2012 was a sad one - the funeral in Darlington of our beloved drummer Mickey Lee. What followed was an iconic rain soaked show at Download, which then led to successful UK tour before we stepped back into our respective other lives. But this time it feels different somehow - more permanent.
Back at the start, like our audience, we were so young with all the possibilities of life stretching out before us. That feeling was embedded in our songs like 'Too Much too Young', 'Young Gods' and 'Kicking up Dust'. It's funny, but when we play those songs now, those same lyrics seem to work in reverse - looking back over our lives and the lives of our fans since we parted ways. Our fans have always meant everything to us - I know all bands say that, but we really do have the greatest and most loyal fans ever"
Mark Richardson on stage at Newcastle City Hall in 1993
In my recent interview with Little Angels frontman Toby Jepson, he revealed that things are very different now. He said "This time around it's totally different, we feel there's some legs in this. We all feel this is the right moment to be able to go forward with it. So I don't think this is the only tour. We are talking about doing some new recordings of some new material, possibly an album next year, you know we all feel the time is right. So I think this time it feels a lot more permanent, we're certainly talking about well beyond November in terms of live shows as well, so yeah, watch this space. It doesn't feel like a quick visit then home again, it feels like we'll stay around."
This is possibly one of the greatest comebacks in British rock history, at least for those who grew up listening to the likes of Don't Prey For Me or Too Much Too Young. The prospect of seeing the lads doing their thing again sent shockwaves through the online community; the Little Angels Facebook groups lit up with rumours for dates, and that only intensified as more and more dates were added to the tour. Thankfully, Newcastle is on the list and at a venue that I last saw the band play in 1993.
Newcastle and the North East was a regular stomping ground on the Little Angels tour schedule, as Jim reflects:
"To be playing in the North East again after all these years is a massive privilege—so many happy memories of playing the City Hall, Riverside and The Mayfair back in the day... can't wait, let's rock!"
From my vantage point in the front row at Newcastle City Hall, the atmosphere was incredible. I've seen a lot of amazing bands over the years and Little Angels still stand out as some of the best live shows I've witnessed and that is something that fans crave even now. It was a pre-social media and camera phone era but I did have a small film camera with me and captured a few blurry images for posterity.
One of Little Angels' secret weapons on stage was the horn section, Big Bad Horns. Having that extra layer of sound across the band's entire discography added something that other bands just couldn't match. When I asked about the Big Bad Horns joining the tour, Toby said, "Dave Kemp is going to be there, Frank Kirkhope is coming back over. He lives in the US now so he's coming back over for the tour, which is great." With the confirmation that they are going to be accompanying the lads once again, we are definitely in for a real treat.
This is possibly one of the greatest comebacks in British rock history, at least for those who grew up listening to the likes of Don't Prey For Me or Too Much Too Young. The prospect of seeing the lads doing their thing again sent shockwaves through the online community; the Little Angels Facebook groups lit up with rumours for dates, and that only intensified as more and more dates were added to the tour. Thankfully, Newcastle is on the list and at a venue that I last saw the band play in 1993.
Newcastle and the North East was a regular stomping ground on the Little Angels tour schedule, as Jim reflects:
"To be playing in the North East again after all these years is a massive privilege—so many happy memories of playing the City Hall, Riverside and The Mayfair back in the day... can't wait, let's rock!"
From my vantage point in the front row at Newcastle City Hall, the atmosphere was incredible. I've seen a lot of amazing bands over the years and Little Angels still stand out as some of the best live shows I've witnessed and that is something that fans crave even now. It was a pre-social media and camera phone era but I did have a small film camera with me and captured a few blurry images for posterity.
One of Little Angels' secret weapons on stage was the horn section, Big Bad Horns. Having that extra layer of sound across the band's entire discography added something that other bands just couldn't match. When I asked about the Big Bad Horns joining the tour, Toby said, "Dave Kemp is going to be there, Frank Kirkhope is coming back over. He lives in the US now so he's coming back over for the tour, which is great." With the confirmation that they are going to be accompanying the lads once again, we are definitely in for a real treat.
Mark Plunkett on stage at Newcastle City Hall in 1993
The prospect of seeing Little Angels playing together again fills this fan's heart with joy; however, there is one thing that must be on everybody's mind—the setlist. They only released three full-length studio albums together; however, they were albums that were crammed full of great tracks, no filler. So I for one am excited to see the choices the band makes and also very much aware that there are going to be some tracks that will have to be pushed to one side. It will be interesting to see if the band choose to play anything from their EPs or even Too Posh Too Mosh.
If I were to make a prediction for the definite tracks on the set list, I would have to say that She's A Little Angel will likely open the set; I can't see the band missing Boneyard, Too Much Too Young, or Don't Prey For Me, and of course no Little Angels gig would be complete without Young Gods, but it will be interesting to see what else the lads choose to play.
The Big Bad & Back tour kicks off in Dublin on the 9th of November with 16 shows in total, ending in a finale at London's O2 Forum Kentish Town on the 29th of November. Support for the tour comes from the band's longtime friend and Thunder guitarist Luke Morley. It looks set to be an incredible tour, one that will be full of nostalgia for sure but also one of hope for the future. Check out the full interview below and for more information on Little Angels head over to www.littleangelsofficial.com.
If I were to make a prediction for the definite tracks on the set list, I would have to say that She's A Little Angel will likely open the set; I can't see the band missing Boneyard, Too Much Too Young, or Don't Prey For Me, and of course no Little Angels gig would be complete without Young Gods, but it will be interesting to see what else the lads choose to play.
The Big Bad & Back tour kicks off in Dublin on the 9th of November with 16 shows in total, ending in a finale at London's O2 Forum Kentish Town on the 29th of November. Support for the tour comes from the band's longtime friend and Thunder guitarist Luke Morley. It looks set to be an incredible tour, one that will be full of nostalgia for sure but also one of hope for the future. Check out the full interview below and for more information on Little Angels head over to www.littleangelsofficial.com.