]]Angels With Dirty Faces were an English rock band formed in Crewe, Cheshire UK in early 1990 by lead singer Simon Gibbs, lead guitarist Jason Woolley, and bassist Chris Barker. Paul Roscroe became the band's permanent drummer in 1990 , Barker was replaced by Jack Wheeler for 6 months in 1991 untill bassist Jem Dykes became a permanent replacement for Barker & Wheeler in 1992.

Angels With Dirty Faces (AWDF)Took their name from the movie of the same title (rather than the classic rallying call of Sham 69 which was often documented) They were one of the seminal bands in the Stoke On Trent / North Cheshire scene of the time and had a large gig following , They regulary played alongside Roughneck and New England amongst others . AWDF was the first alternative rock band to sign to the label Blue Flame of Luxembourg 1993, though the band did not achieve commercial success they gigged extensively between 1992 - 1994 and gained a large live following.

Angels With Dirty Faces were difficult to pigeon hole and this made them a popular cross over live act , Touring with the likes of Girlschool , Zodiac Mindwarp and Sham69 to name but a few .Their inaugural self financed offering "A Little Taste" was well received , Gaining good reviews in Kerrang ,from Neil Schon of Journey and Stiff Little Fingers , along with inexpensive videos they made good inroads.

Spotted on ITV'S "Noisy Mothers" in Nov 93 by record company boss Nigel Jarmen they were signed to Blue Flame records that same year . Their biggest success was the 1994 album "Sounds Of The World Turning ", which debuted at number one on the Japenese Metal Chart and yielded the singles "What you do to me " and "Pots Of Gold".

In 1995, the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction. There has been much talk of reunions but nothing talk is probably all it will ever be.

History

[edit]Formation and early recordings (1989-1992)

Angels With Dirty Faces origins can be found in a band called Wanted, which performed around Stoke On Trent area in the late 1980s,and featured bassist Jason Woolley drummer Paul Roscroe guitarist Adrian Lloyd and singer Simon Gibbs. Following Lloyds departure,Woolley returned to his preferred guitar and the band recruited bassist Chris Barker as its new bassist. The band traveled around playing various concerts with this line-up for about a year. Their first recordings were three songs "Bad Bang Groove","Sure Thing","Suzi at the Ritz" the later which appeared on a 1992 compilation album for Scarecrow Records called Rock The City. It also featured songs by fellow pioneer Steve Balabon . Signal Radio DJ Paul Anthony was impressed after hearing Angels With Dirty Faces self financed record one night. Anthony offered to help the band. Anthony set up at tour of commercial UK radio stations to gain air play and spread the word. Well received they followed this by the production of a video to go with the song "What you do to me" .Band long term friend Camel produced the video as part of his media degree at Manchester university for £25 which become a long standing joke but the quality was remarkably good. Paul Anthonys' influence proved once again invaluable , Along with the rock show he had on Signal he ran a rock night at "The Cheshire Cat" club near Crewe . ITV were to film a night at the venue and Anthony lined up an interview with the band and also a premier of the video on the show. When the show was aired some 2 months later it was watched by Marshall Jarmen of Luxembourg based label Blue Flame . Meetings followed and the band signed to the label in 1993.