Tricky Nixon

Not to be confused with Tricky Dicky (disambiguation).
Tricky Nixon
OriginManchester
GenresIndie rock, indie pop
Years active2003–2006
LabelsFuzzbox
Past membersRhydian Dafydd – vocals / guitar
Ritzy Bryan – vocals / guitar
Peter Gray – drums
Joe Fairclough – bass

Tricky Nixon was a four-piece band from Manchester, England and was a former band of The Joy Formidable's vocalist/guitarist Ritzy Bryan and bassist Rhydian Dafydd.[1] Their music has been described as "sleazy The Breeders guitar thrash and tasty harmonies, with sugar and spike boy-girl vocals and pummelling Pixies bass and drums."[2] Their Welsh language song "Paid A Gofyn" ("Don't Ask") was citied by Hefin Thomas on the BBC Radio Cymru website as "one of their top 10 favourite Welsh tracks of the decade" in 2009.[3]

History

Formation

Tricky Nixon formed in summer 2003 as Super 8's after the three founder members vocalist/guitarist Rhydian Dafydd, bassist Joe Fairclough and drummer Peter Gray recruited Ritzy Bryan as the second guitarist.

Shows and early recordings

The band initially put out a demo made up of three songs "Taxman", "All Over You" and "In My Head" that the band had already recorded for an album length demo.

During the In the City festival in Manchester, 2003, the band name changed from Super 8's to Tricky Nixon.

In 2004 the first release from Tricky Nixon was an EP featuring three new tracks "Takin The Bait", "Jelly" and "You're So Money".[4]

The EP was well received and the band were able to secure a national tour supporting Ariel X in April and several good support slots, most notably with Kaiser Chiefs.[5]

During that summer the band recorded a cover of The Smiths' "Panic" for Concrete Recordings' Ten From Ten compilation album.[6]

Mclusky tour and Kick EP

In November 2004 the band embarked on their highest profile tour to date supporting alternative rock band Mclusky.[7]

The band's final release was six track Kick EP through Fuzzbox on 21 November 2005.[8]

The Joy Formidable

Breakup and post-Tricky Nixon

In January 2006 drummer Peter Gray quit the band.

The remaining three members of the band formed new wave/post-punk band Sidecar Kisses[9] and following Sidecar Kisses' dissolution, Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd went on to form art rock/indie pop band The Joy Formidable.

Peter Gray joined surf music/sci-fi group The VCs and more recently Manchester band Letters To Fiesta.

Discography

Demos

  • Benedict (2003) (CD)
  • Super 8's EP (2003) (CD)
  • Takin The Bait EP (Jan 2004) (CD)

Compilations

  • Panic (1 November 2004) (CD/vinyl/download)
  • Paid a Gofyn (19 October 2005) (download)

Singles

  • "Kick" (21 November 2005) (CD/download)

References

  1. ^ "Tricky Nixon-Tricky Nixon". DrownedinSound. 21 November 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  2. ^ "ITC05 Fandango Lift Off". Manchestermusic. 30 September 2005.
  3. ^ "Caneuon y Ddegawd!". BBC Radio Cymru. 15 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Tricky Nixon:Untitled". Dave Sugden. 8 January 2004.
  5. ^ "Brave New Ideas #3: Kaiser Chiefs". DrownedinSound. 19 March 2004. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  6. ^ "10from10 Press Release". JSU. 13 September 2004.
  7. ^ "McLusky@Josephs Well". LeedsMusicScene. 25 November 2004.
  8. ^ "TrickyNixon-TrickyNixon". DrownedinSound. 21 November 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  9. ^ "British band Sidecar Kisses in Malta gig". Malta Media. 11 May 2007.