Two line-ups of The Wildhearts performing in 2007 and 2015.
The Wildhearts are a British rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne. Formed in 1989, the group originally consisted of vocalist Stuart "Snake" Neale, guitarists Ginger (born David Walls) and C.J. Wildheart (real name Chris Jagdhar), bassist Julien "Joolz" Dean, and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph. After several early lineup changes, Ginger took over as lead vocalist and has remained in this role ever since. The current lineup of the Wildhearts also includes bassist "Random" Jon Poole (who first joined in 2003, and most recently rejoined in 2024), alongside 2024 additions Ben Marsden on guitar and Pontus Snibb on drums.
History
1989–1999
Ginger formed the Wild Hearts in August 1989.[1] The original lineup featured vocalist Stuart "Snake" Neale, guitarist Chris "C.J." Wildheart, bassist Julien "Joolz" Dean and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph.[2] The band went through a number of personnel changes during 1990 and 1991: first, Pat "Panache" Walters replaced Stidolph; in the summer of 1990, Neale briefly left and was replaced by Dunken Francis Mullett; in March 1991, Neale left permanently and the group became a four-piece with Ginger on vocals; and in mid-1991, Danny McCormack replaced Dean.[3] By October 1991, Walters had been replaced by Bam Ross, with whom the group recorded Mondo Akimbo a-Go-Go and Don't Be Happy... Just Worry; around the time of the latter's November 1992 release, Ross was replaced by the returning Stidolph.[3]
Ginger took over as lead vocalist of the Wildhearts in 1991 and has remained in this role since.
With Stidolph back in the band, the Wildhearts released Earth vs the Wildhearts in 1993, before Ritch Battersby took over on drums that October.[4] His first recordings with the band were the 1994 single "Caffeine Bomb" and second album Fishing for Luckies.[5][6] Early the same year, keyboardist Willie Dowling – who had previously performed on Earth vs the Wildhearts – joined the Wildhearts' touring lineup.[7] In July, C.J. was fired from the Wildhearts due to "personal reasons", with Ginger claiming: "We fell out on the last tour and haven't really got on for the last two years."[8] In his place, former Vai guitarist Devin Townsend joined as touring guitarist.[8] Dowling played his last show with the Wildhearts at Reading Festival in August 1994, while Townsend remained for a European tour supporting Suicidal Tendencies in September.[7]
The Wildhearts returned in early 1995 with temporary touring guitarist Mark Keds, who remained until July when he was fired for failing to turn up for a show.[9] After a short period performing as a trio for the first time, the band introduced Jef Streatfield as C.J.'s permanent replacement in October 1995, who debuted on Endless, Nameless.[4] Upon the album's release in October 1997, Ginger decided to disband the group due to drug addiction problems amongst certain band members.[10] After their breakup, the band reformed on two occasions – first in October 1998 for a short tour of Japan,[11] and again in August 1999 for a one-off show in the country.[12]
2001–2022
After Ginger teased a reunion a couple of months earlier,[13] in April 2001 it was announced that the Wildhearts would return for a string of UK shows that June.[14] The lineup was completed with the additions of guitarist C.J. Wildhearts, bassist Danny McCormack and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph, marking a reunion of the Earth vs the Wildhearts incarnation of the group.[15] Early into the first tour, however, McCormack was forced to leave due to ongoing problems with heroin addiction, with Toshi Ogawa temporarily taking his place.[16] By late August, McCormack had returned to the band.[17] Due to the bassist's ongoing struggles, however, Ginger performed bass on the band's next album, 2003's The Wildhearts Must Be Destroyed.[18] During a tour in April 2003, prior to the album's release, McCormack left again to enter rehabilitation, with "Random" Jon Poole taking his place.[19]
"Random" Jon Poole has been the Wildhearts' bassist for multiple tenures since 2003.
With new bassist Poole, the Wildhearts toured until the end of 2004. In early 2005, Ginger briefly joined Brides of Destruction, although assured that the Wildhearts were not breaking up.[20] The band returned in July, with Ginger and C.J. reuniting with McCormack and drummer Ritch Battersby for a one-off performance at In the Castle festival in September.[21] A year-long unofficial hiatus followed, before the band were joined by bassist Scott Sorry in November 2006, with whom Ginger had briefly worked in Brides of Destruction.[22] Sorry performed on 2007's The Wildhearts, 2008's Stop Us If You've Heard This One Before, Vol 1. and 2009's ¡Chutzpah!, before the band went on another hiatus when Ginger joined Michael Monroe's solo touring band.[23] Ahead of a return gig in December 2012, Sorry was replaced by the returning Poole.[24]
Sorry returned in November 2013.[25] Ahead of a P.H.U.Q. anniversary tour in 2015, Poole returned again.[26] After appearing as a guest during some of the band's encores,[27] McCormack rejoined the band in early 2018 for the Britrock Must Be Destroyed tour.[28] The band released Renaissance Men, their first album in ten years, in 2019.[29] This was followed in 2021 by 21st Century Love Songs.[30] By March 2022, the group had disbanded again due to "ongoing issues within the band".[31]
Since 2024
In January 2024, the Wildhearts announced that they were returning for a show that June, unveiling a new lineup featuring returning bassist Jon Poole, new guitarist Ben Marsden and new drummer Pontus Snibb.[32]
all Wildhearts releases from The Wildhearts (2007) to ¡Chutzpah! Jnr. (2009)
Touring
Image
Name
Years active
Instruments
Details
Willie Dowling
1994
keyboards
backing vocals
Dowling joined the touring lineup of the Wildhearts in early 1994. He had previously performed on Earth vs the Wildhearts and later featured on Fishing for Luckies and P.H.U.Q.[7]
After guitarist C.J. Wildheart was fired in July 1994, Townsend joined the Wildhearts' touring lineup. He remained until the final tour dates of the year in September.[7]
When the band returned to touring in early 1995, the role of second guitarist was taken by Keds. He was confirmed as a member of the band in the summer, but was fired in July for not turning up for a show.[9]
Toshi Ogawa
2001
bass
backing vocals
Shortly after the Wildhearts embarked on their reunion tour in June 2001, Danny McCormack was forced to leave due to problems with heroin addiction. He was replaced by Ogawa until late-August.[16][17]
^ abWright, Jonathan (29 July 1994). "UK Music News"(PDF). The Hard Report. No. 385. Medford, New Jersey: The Hard Report. p. 59. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
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