The original line-up was Miles Hunt (whose uncle Bill Hunt was keyboard player with Wizzard), Malcolm Treece, Rob "The Bass Thing" Jones (d. 1993) and Martin Gilks (d. 2006). The group originated from an earlier collaboration with group members of Pop Will Eat Itself (aka PWEI), called From Eden, which had Miles Hunt on the drums.
In 1990, Martin Bell (aka, Fiddlie), an accomplished fiddle and banjo instrumentalist, joined the band and Paul Clifford replaced Rob Jones on the bass after Jones left the band.
The band initially split on July 14, 1994 at the Phoenix Festival near Stratford-on-Avon, with Miles Hunt forming Vent 414 and Malc Treece, Martin Gilks and Paul Clifford teaming up with ex-Eat frontman, Ange Dolittle, to form We Know Where You Live.
Following the split of Vent 414, Miles Hunt took to touring an acoustic solo show performing old favourites and new material. During this period, he toured and released an album under banner of The Miles Hunt Club, featuring Stuart Quinnel and Andres Karu (who would later featuring in subsequent line-ups of The Wonder Stuff) as well as Michael Ferentino fom the Amazing Meet Project.
The band later reformed for a few live tours from 2000 onwards including a sell out 5 night residency at The Forum, London. For this incarnation, Stuart Quinnel took over on bass from Paul Clifford.
Their first new album for over a decade, Escape From Rubbish Island, was released in September 2004. The line-up for this album was Hunt and Treece plus Andres Karu and Mark McCarthy (formally of Radical Dance Faction).
This line-up (plus Erica Nockalls on violin) continued into 2006 with the release of their new album Suspended By Stars.
Scheduled for 2011 is a tour supporting The Levellers for which the line up has changed again, with Andres Karu being replaced on drums by ex-Pop Will Eat Itself member Fuzz Townshend.
Merry Go Round
The Wonder Stuff Lyrics
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(clothes, cars, drinks and girls. It's all
That game).
The lyrics to The Wonder Stuff's song, "Like A Merry Go Round," suggest that love is akin to a never-ending cycle that one cannot escape from. The use of the imagery of a merry go round emphasizes the cyclical nature of love. Just as a merry go round goes round and round, love seems to have no end regardless of the ups and downs it brings. Despite the constant changes that occur in our lives, whether it be changing clothes, cars, drinks or partners, the game of love still remains the same.
The use of "clothes, cars, drinks and girls" highlights the idea that sometimes people get caught up in the external forces of love and not the actual connection between two people. The song suggests that love seems to be more about playing the game than it is about true connection. This is a common theme in love songs where there is more emphasis on seeking love as a sense of accomplishment, rather than experiencing love for its own sake.
In conclusion, this song portrays love as a never-ending cycle - people come and go, but the game of love remains the same. It suggests that people tend to focus on what love can do for their image, rather than how it can make them feel. The song is a reminder that despite the changes in life, the game of love stays the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Surely love is like a merry go round.
Love is often compared to a merry go round, because it can be full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and can leave one feeling dizzy and disoriented.
(clothes, cars, drinks and girls. It's all
The singer is suggesting that material possessions and superficial pleasures are not important when it comes to finding true love.
That game).
The singer is referring to the societal pressure to engage in frivolous activities and materialistic pursuits, and is stating that these things do not bring true happiness or fulfillment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN RICHARD GILKS, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, ROBERT JONES, MALCOLM ROY TREECE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind