The Pooh Sticks

Welsh Indie Pop Band

Indie pop band from Swansea, Wales, UK, formed 1987. From Wikipedia: Recording between 1988 and 1995, they were notable for their jangly melodiousness and lyrics gently mocking the indie scene of the time. The band changed direction on their 1991 U.S breakthrough "The Great White Wonder", eschewing the 'twee' British indie pop sound for a more American-styled power pop sound, akin to bands like Jellyfish and Redd Kross. Subsequent albums Million Seller, released on 11 January 1993, considered by some power pop fans to be the band's best work, and Optimistic Fool, released on 24 April 1995, followed in this style. From AMG: "The Pooh Sticks were ostensibly led by frontman Hue Pooh (born Hue Williams), who in October 1987 teamed with Swansea-area schoolmates Paul, (guitar), Alison (bass), Trudi Tangerine (keyboards) and Stephanie (drums) and debuted with the single "On Tape," released on manager/svengali Steve Gregory's Fierce label. (In actuality, Gregory was the real mastermind behind the Pooh Sticks, writing, arranging and producing their records, designing their cover artwork and even choreographing their live performances.)" So: Hue is real enough, but Trudi, Alison, Stephanie and Paul were entirely fictitious. These five constituted the 'core' line-up'! (Paul Phillips - later of The Beatpack - played on a couple of releases, and briefly peformed live, but he should not be confused with the basic fictitious Paul.)