Stack Waddy, who took their name from a character in the brilliant ‘MAD’ comic / magazine, came from Timperley in Manchester. Originally called New Religion, they formed in 1965, and played in a raucous, heavy R&B style that at times sounds a bit Beefheart-esque, what with the gruff vocal style and harmonica … reference the following:

Having built up a formidable reputation for their wild stage sets around the Manchester area (vocalist John Knail ended up in jail for a period after he went one step too far by throwing bottles or assaulting audiences for not showing the band enough love!) they became big favourites of the DJ, John Peel who signed them to his Dandelion label.

Their debut and eponymous album consisted of several covers, including ‘Roadrunner‘ (above) and indeed a Captain Beefheart song, ‘Sure ‘Nuff ‘N’ Yes I Do,’ among others.

Their second album, from 1972, was titled’ Bugger Off!‘ and unsurprisingly for those days, was withdrawn from many record stores, which obviously had a detrimental effect on sales.

This album also contained some cover versions – like the this frantic version of The Pretty Things, ‘Rosalyn.’

The album was recorded in one straight, twelve hour session at Stockport’s Strawberry Studio. The alcohol was reportedly flowing freely, and I think this is reflected in some of the tracks – especially the closer, ‘Girl From Ipanema.’ I wonder though, if this was really just some kind of piss-take?
Whatever, there is a real rawness to this album which I find endearing – and R&B was meant to be this way, so it’s a winner in my book.

The band would split later in 1972, but reform in 1973 with bass player Stuart Banham being the only one of the original four to remain. This version of the band, with various other comings an goings, lasted until 1976, though I believe the original members thereafter played some gigs from time to time.

Stack Waddy would have been right up my street – one of many from that age I’d loved to have seen play ‘live.’

STACK WADDY

(Recording line-up)

John Knail – Vocals / Harmonica
Stuart Barnham – Bass
Mike Scott – Guitar
John Groom – Drums
+
Steve Revell – Drums (2nd album)

TITLE	FORMAT	YEAR	LABEL	NOTES
Stack Waddy	LP	1971	Dandelion
Bugger Off!	LP	1972	Dandelion
Roadrunner	7″ single	1970	Dandelion
Susie Q	7″ single	1971	Polydor
You Really Got Me	7″ single	1972	Dandelion