The Housemartins

The Housemartins were an English indie rock group formed in Hull in 1983. They released two studio albums, London 0 Hull 4 (1986) and The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death (1987), and the compilation album Now That's What I Call Quite Good (1988), all of which went top-ten in the UK. The band also achieved six UK top-twenty singles, including an a cappella cover version of "Caravan of Love" (originally by Isley-Jasper-Isley) which reached number one in the UK in December 1986. (the back cover of London 0 Hull 4 contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

The original members were singer Paul Heaton, guitarist Stan Cullimore, drummer Hugh Whitaker, and bassist Ted Key, with Norman Cook replacing Key in 1985 and Dave Hemingway replacing Whitaker in 1987. After breaking up in 1988, Heaton and Hemingway formed the Beautiful South, Cullimore became an author of children's books and Cook became an electronic dance music DJ and producer, founding the groups Beats International, Pizzaman, and Freak Power, before rebranding himself as Fatboy Slim.

Career

Formation

The band was formed in late 1983 by Paul Heaton (vocals, billed as "P.d. Heaton".) and Stan Cullimore (guitar), initially as a busking duo. The pair recorded a demo tape with Ingo Dewsnap and Sharon Green of Les Zeiga Fleurs which brought them to the attention of Go! Discs. The band often referred to themselves as "the fourth best band in Hull" - various candidates have been cited for the three better bands, including Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles. The band recruited the rhythm section from fellow Hull band The Gargoyles, initially recruiting guitarist Ted Key on bass, who then persuaded his bandmate Hugh Whitaker to join on drums. The band's first live performance as a four-piece was at Hull University in October 1984.

John Peel sessions, London 0 Hull 4 and "Caravan of Love"

Key left at the end of 1985, after recording the band's first John Peel session and the band's first single "Flag Day", saying he felt isolated in the writing process for the band's first album. The single's success was helped by a claymation animated pop promo of a type that was in vogue at the time, featuring a cameo by comedian Phill Jupitus, who toured with the band under his stage name of "Porky the Poet". Their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, was released later in 1986 and contained their previous two singles as well as alternative versions of first single "Flag Day" and follow-up to Happy Hour, "Think for a Minute".

At the end of 1986 they had their only UK No. 1 single on 16 December with a cover version of Isley-Jasper-Isley's "Caravan of Love".

"Caravan of Love" was first performed by the Housemartins during their second Peel session for BBC Radio 1 in April 1986, prior to the song's chart success.

The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death

Drummer Hugh Whitaker left in 1987 on amicable terms, and suggested his school friend Dave Hemingway as replacement.

In June 2024, Heaton performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, and was joined by Cook on bass for a performance of "Happy Hour".

Musical style and lyrics

The band's early releases saw them described as jangle pop, which brought comparisons with bands such as The Smirks, The Smiths and Aztec Camera. David Quantick, writing for Spin, described them in 1986 as playing "traditional '60s-style guitar pop overlaid with soul vocals". Cook described the band as "religious, but not Christians", and the band's repertoire included gospel songs.

Band members

Final lineup

Paul Heaton – vocals, harmonica, guitar, trombone (1983–1988)
Stan Cullimore – guitar, vocals (1983–1988)
Norman Cook – bass, vocals (1985–1988)
Dave Hemingway – drums, vocals (1987–1988)

Former members

Ted Key – bass, vocals (1984–1985)
Hugh Whitaker – drums, vocals (1985–1987)

Timeline

Discography

Albums

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"

!rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2" style="width:210px;"| Album details

!colspan="6"| Peak chart positions

!rowspan="2"| Certifications

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| UK

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| AUS

| 1986

| London 0 Hull 4

Released: October 1986
Label: Go! Discs

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| style="text-align:center;"| 35

| style="text-align:center;"| 21

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| style="text-align:center;"| 9

| style="text-align:center;"| 124

BPI: Platinum

| 1987

| The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death

Released: September 1987
Label: Go! Discs

| style="text-align:center;"| 9

| style="text-align:center;"| 56

| style="text-align:center;"| 34

| style="text-align:center;"| 25

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| 177

BPI: Gold

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| NZL

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| NLD

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| BEL

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| SWI

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| AUT

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| SWE

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| NOR

!style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%"| AUS

| 1985

| "Flag Day"

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| rowspan="4" | London 0 Hull 4

| rowspan="4" | 1986

| "Sheep"

| style="text-align:center;"| 56

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| 97

| "Happy Hour"

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| style="text-align:center;"| 38

| style="text-align:center;"| 25

| style="text-align:center;"| 23

| style="text-align:center;"| —

BPI: Gold