Artful new wave from Belfast who inexplicably failed
to make the breakthrough despite heavy interest from several record labels.
Martin Lundy in 1981
Katmandu was formed by Martin Lundy. The band's history stretches back to 1974
when they were originally known as Zenith. Lundy moved from Belfast to
Dublin in the hope of making a breakthrough.
Iggy Ward and Peter McKinney had been in Belfast band Squinter Dan (formed 1975)
who changed their name to Dirty Work (who released a reggae version of
"The Rose Of Tralee" on 45) and then moved to Dublin to become Tony Kenny's
backing band during 1978-80. When the Tony Kenny Band split in 1980,
Ward and McKinney joined Katmandu.
Katmandu in March 1981
Katmandu were the top live band on the Dublin club scene in 1980. They were reknowned
for their live Bowie and Roxy Music covers though came in for some (unfair) criticism
for including them in their live set.
They released
a single on the local Spider label the same year. It is superb and the band
attracted much interest from the major labels. A follow-up single was recorded in
early 1981 for one of the majors (the band's
preferred choice of A-side was "Just Trying To Get My Act Together")
but it never materialised. In fact
nothing came of the contact with the majors and the band moved back to
Belfast. By 1982 were playing the same venus where they began five years
earlier.
Katmandu continue to perform
to this day. Many musicians have been through the ranks of the band.
Trevor Hutchinson later surfaced in The Waterboys.
Peter McKinney was later in The 4 Of Us.
There are many unreleased studio recordings which those who've heard them claim
are far superior to the single. Titles include "Don't Let Me Stop You",
"Complicated Game", "I'm Glad I'm Me", "Money Is The Magic Wand" and "Gimme The Gimmick"
among many others.
Katmandu in suburban Dublin
Discography
• I Can Make The Future / Australia
7" - Spider Records - WEB 037 - IRL - 1980 - PS
This single probably sold quite well and the label variations suggest
it was reissued, probably more than once. The slight colour differences
noticeable in the cover are most likely due to unintentional printing
variations.
• various artists - Terpsichore / Silly Not To
LP - EMI Records - EMS 1004 - UK - 1981
track: I Can Make The Future
Help!
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information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can
use, or spare copies of any releases,
then please get in touch.
