VICIOUS BISHOP’s ‘Miracle Formula 168,’ a cure for all our ills

FORMED in the Lancaster and Morecambe areas of Northwest England in 2021, VICIOUS BISHOP are a punk, ska punk, and punky reggae power trio comprising drummer Dave Nuttall (ex-Toy Dolls), bassist Adz Woods, and vocalist/guitarist Rich Davenport (ex-Radio Stars).

And taking their influences from The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, The Ruts, 2 Tone, Husker Du, vintage reggae and ska, have just released their debut EP, ‘Miracle Formula 168,’ via ‘X Records.’

The EP features guest appearances from Rich’s former Radio Stars bandmate, Andy Ellison – who co-wrote the song ‘She’s So Dissatisfied’ – Sham 69 guitarist Dave Parsons plays a guest solo on ‘Shouting Down The Sewer,’ while Micky Geggus from the Cockney Rejects lends his six-string skills to ‘Blood In The Water.’

“Andy and I wrote and demoed an initial version of ‘She’s So Dissatisfied’ in the mid-90s when I was in Radio Stars,” explains Davenport. “When Andy asked me if I’d be interested in playing some gigs with him again, I jumped at the chance, and when we started talking about a set list, we were both keen to revisit ‘She’s So Dissatisfied.’ I love Andy’s lyric, which touches on the dark side of hard drugs, but I felt the music I originally came up with sounded unfinished. I re-wrote the chords for the verse, and then Dave, Adz and I worked on the music together, to give it a punky reggae feel.”

Regarding the EP’s guest appearances, Davenport explained how he came to meet Geggus, and Parsons.

“Back in 1992 I was playing in The Hormones, a punk/ska punk band based in Scotland. This was before ‘Holidays in the Sun’ and the ‘Pistols reunion, and punk was very much underground at the time. I had a college radio show and rang the number on the back of the Cockney Rejects ‘Lethal’ album to see if I could arrange an interview and shortly after, met Micky Geggus for the first time.

“We hit it off immediately and have been mates ever since. It’s been amazing seeing the ‘Rejects enjoy a well-deserved second shot since 1999. Mick has always been very supportive of bands I’ve been in, and it’s an honour to have his amazing guitar skills on ‘Blood In The Water.’

“I first met Dave Parsons outside a Sham gig in Glasgow in 1992. When I moved to London in 1994, I got to spend more time with him, and he gave me some great advice about recording guitar parts. I also got a sneak preview of his first solo album, ‘Reconcile,’ which was great.

“I’ve always loved Dave’s playing, his solos are always very melodic and memorable, and he’s played an amazing lead break on ‘Shouting Down The Sewer.’ He once told me he used to bunk off school to watch Thin Lizzy doing matinee shows, and there’s a ‘Lizzy feel in the harmonies he’s played on the track.

“As with Mick, it’s an honour to have Dave playing on a track, and pretty mind blowing to think that someone I watched on TOTP at the age of seven has ended up on our EP! That’s what I love about the punk scene, these guys are so approachable and down to earth, and have gone out of their way to support an up-and-coming band like ourselves.”

VICIOUS BISHOP will be supporting the EP with a UK tour and are are playing with Andy Ellison (billed as Andy Ellison & Vicious Bishop) at this year’s Rebellion Festival, and Morecambe Punk Festival in November.

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