Tom Spencer (musician)

Tom Spencer (born 30 June 1967) is an English musician, singer, songwriter and stained glass artist.

Born in West London, son of the late John B Spencer (novelist and musician 1944 – 2002) Tom Spencer is a guitarist and vocalist. He is also an accomplished bass and banjo player.

Spencer began gigging in his teens, firstly singing backing vocals for John B Spencer's bands around the West London circuit, then supporting them with his own school formed bands. He continued his musical education as guitarist for his father, touring Europe for the first time. Back home he played guitar for Motherhive – a band fronted by Blue Zoo's Andy Overall. They released one album 'Richard'

In the early 1990s he joined new wave/punk outfit Big Boy Tomato. They released two EPs 'Acton Baby' and 'Hormones and Hangovers' Big Boy Tomato were the perpetual support band for the likes of Stiff Little Fingers, The Cropdusters, The Godfathers, Mega City 4, Die Toten Hosen and The Toy Dolls. They signed to Cargo Records but their debut album although recorded, was never released.

During this time Spencer became guitarist for punk legends The Lurkers, joining Arturo Bassick and Dan Tozer for around 6 years and played on the Lurkers album 'Ripped and Torn'. The Lurkers toured Germany regularly as a result of Die Toten Hosen championing them with covers of the tracks 'New Guitar in Town' and 'Shadow' Ironically the original Lurkers in 1978 were signed to Beggars Banquet, the same recording label as The Louts (a John B Spencer band)

Next came Sugarsnatch, a splinter group of Big Boy Tomato. Featuring Spencer on lead vocals and guitar for the first time, bass Nik Peckham and drums Andy Selway (aka Bladz), who later became drummer in the Yo-Yos. One album 'Mad Cows and Englishmen' was written and released in the space of three weeks, drawing on influences from the trios love of comics. Sugarsnatch only played in the UK twice, concentrating on the European circuit.

In 1998 Michael Algar (aka Olga) from the Toy Dolls, having enjoyed the Sugarsnatch album, invited Spencer to sing backing vocals on his forthcoming album 'One More Megabite' During this session he bonded with Danny McCormack (The Wildhearts) and the seed of what was to become The Yo-Yos was born. Six months later and joined by Bladz on drums and guitarist Neil Phillips (B-Movie Heroes), the Yo-Yos released two EPs for Rebound records – 'Out of My Mind' and 'Rumble(d)'. After touring the UK as support for The Backyard Babies in 1999, and various tours and shows of their own, the band was signed by US label Sub Pop and released their debut album 'Uppers & Downers' in 2000. Two US tours followed, before splitting due to differences within the band, and Danny McCormack's well publicised drug problems. In 2005 the The Yo-Yos reformed with a new line-up. Spencer and McCormack were now joined by Rich Jones (Amen, The Black Halos) on guitar and Craig Herdman (The Cherrykicks) on drums. The band recorded a new EP entitled 'Given Up Giving Up' and toured the UK supporting 3 Colours Red. They finally parted company after supporting AntiProduct on a UK tour and the re-emergence of earlier problems. After a seven-year hiatus, The Yo-Yos reformed for a gig in February 2012, to celebrate McCormack's 40th birthday. They still continue to play at the occasional gig or festival.

...
Wikipedia