Dolly Mixture was a British post-punk band from Cambridge formed in 1978 by bassist and vocalist Debsey Wykes, guitarist Rachel Bor (sister of Andrew Bor of The Users and mother of Syd Bor of Beetzart), and drummer Hester Smith. They started out as complete amateurs, having formed to play at a friend’s party. However, they soon proved to be one of the most talented new-wave pop acts. Although they had their taste of Top 40 success as the backing vocals for Captain Sensible’s hits Wot and Happy Talk, as a band they remained criminally neglected by the recording industry and the general public alike, although they were to release two singles on Respond, the label founded by Paul Weller Their music was more poppy than post-punk contemporaries such as Gang of Four. Near the end of their run, the group self-released a double album of demo tracks. Titled ‘Demonstration Tapes’, only 2000 were pressed, each signed and numbered by the band. It was re-released in 1995 thanks to Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne who was a huge admirer of the band. The group disbanded in 1986, with Debsey and Hester forming Coming Up Roses. Debsey Wykes later collaborated with Saint Etienne, and went on to form Birdie, releasing two albums in the early 2000s. |
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