Jacobites 1982

Jacobites 1982 - 2004: You Can't Go Wrong With A Velvet Jacket

Dave Kusworth (born in Birmingham, England in March 1960) and Nikki Sudden (born in London, England in July 1956) first met at a gig by Kusworth's band, the Subterranean Hawks. Kusworth had previously played with Birmingham's best rock'n roll band, TV Eye while Sudden had just seen the break-up of Swell Maps. The pair of them decided that if the Hawks ever broke up they would form a band.

The Hawks - a brilliant band who should be legendary - wound up in early 1982 and Dave and Nikki began playing together. Their first gig, under the name 'Six Hip Princes' was in May the same year.

Kusworth co-wrote a song and played on Sudden's second solo album, The Bible Belt (Flicknife Records).

Another year, another album, another label-Nikki and Dave decided to record a joint album-released in March 1984 as Jacobites (Glass Records) A couple of month they went back in the studio to record a 4-track EP, Shame For The Angels. Life was rolling away. Next up was an Italian tour followed by the legendary Robespierre's Velvet Basement album (also on Glass), which came out in August 1985. A few months later the band broke up… Both Nikki and Dave carried on touring and recording / releasing records.

When Jacobites and Robespierre's were reissued in 1993 Sudden and Kusworth got back together and recorded their third LP, Howling Good Times (Regency Sound), released in April 1994. They toured Europe to promote the album and during this tour agreed a deal with German label, Glitterhouse Records with whom they released Old Scarlett in November 1995.

During their Christmas / New Year tour of 95 / 96 they recorded a live album in Hannover. This was issued by Swamp Room Records under the title Kiss Of Life during February 1996.

Both Nikki and Dave worked on solo projects. Sudden released the album Seven Lives Later. Dave Kusworth put out Princess Thousand Beauty.

The Jacobites last album too date was 1998's God Save Us Poor Sinners. The album, which was also issued in America, saw the band playing their first ever US dates.

Since then both Nikki and Dave continued with their solo careers.

Nikki Sudden released Red Brocade and his 'best of' set, The Last Bandit. He continues working with his band, The Last Bandits, with whom he recently recorded his new album, Treasure Island, which will come out in early 2004. Dave Kusworth worked with his band, The Tenderhooks - putting out four albums over the past years.

The duo sat down last summer and wrote enough songs for their next album - this will be recorded after their Acoustic Christmas European tour.

The Jacobites are Nikki Sudden and Dave Kusworth. The Jacobites will continue as long as they are both alive.

On their Acoustic Russian tour they will be playing classic Jacobites' numbers alongside some solo works and a few new songs.

Jacobites (l-r) Dave Kusworth, Nikki Sudden, Glenn Tranter, Carl Eugeme Picot, Mark Williams

Album Discography:

Jacobites - Secretly Canadian - SC54 (1984)
Robespierre's Velvet Basement - Secretly Canadian - SC55 (1985)
The Ragged School - Secretly Canadian - SC55 (1986)
Howling Good Times - Regency Sound -JANIDA 004 (1994)
Heart Of Hearts - Por Caridad Produciones - PCPO12CD (1995)
Old Scarlett - Glitterhouse Records -GRCD 382 (1995)
Kiss Of Life - Swamp Room Records / n.UR-Kult-D (1996)
Hawks Get Religion - Regency Sound -JANIDA 003 (1996)
God Save Us Poor Sinners - Glitterhouse Records -GRCD 4 (1998)