The Balham Alligators


The Balham Alligators were a band from London that mixed rock 'n' roll, cajun, country and R&B. The band centred on singer and instrumentalist Geraint Watkins.

Career

The band came together by chance at a London pub in 1983. The original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard.
The Alligators played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including rock 'n' roll, blues, R&B, Celtic folk, swamp-pop, country, swing, Cajun and zydeco.
The Balham Alligators performed in venues around Europe. Early albums included The Balham Alligators and Life in a Bus Lane. The pressure of constant touring began to take its toll with the continued ill-health and eventual death of Kieran O'Connor, the departure of Kitchener and Ron Kavana, and despite the recruitment of Pete Dennis to replace Kitchener convinced the remaining members it was time to call it a day.
The following years were spent pursuing individual projects with Watkins and Rickard working with Charlie Hart as, Rickard, Watkins & Hart, with Watkins eventually leading his own outfit, The Wobblers, in 1992. Robin McKidd formed The Companions of The Rosy Hours a western-swing band. Despite the four years since the original band's demise, McKidd was still receiving offers of work for the Alligators, persuading Watkins and Rickard to try out a few gigs with The Wobblers as a backing band, it became apparent that the Alligators were still a viable concern. Bolstered with morale and momentum they recruited session musician Bobby Irwin on drums and ex-Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers' bass guitarist Paul Riley and by the latter half of 1995 they recorded Gateway to the South and followed by Cajun Dance Party.

Discography

''Balham Alligators''

Track listing

  1. Balham 2 Step
  2. Hey Hey, Ho Ho
  3. Malhereuse
  4. Sugar Bee
  5. Tennessee Blues
  6. Johnny B. Goode
  7. Oh Siobhan
  8. Let's Dance
  9. Louisiana
  10. Scotland / Allons a Lafayette
  11. Tacos
  12. Little Liza Jane
  13. Hobo Blues / Balham 2 Step

    Personnel

Guest musicians:
Production

Track listing

  1. Cajun Walk
  2. Swamp
  3. Big Mamou
  4. I Don't Wanna Be in Love
  5. Love Has No Pride
  6. Alligators Grinning
  7. It's My Own Business
  8. Diggy Diggy
  9. What've You Got To Lose?
  10. Fine, Fine, Fine
  11. Feel Like A Fool

    Personnel

Production

Track listing

  1. What We've Got To Lose
  2. Six Days on the Road
  3. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
  4. Caldonia
  5. Sacre Bleu
  6. White
  7. Diggy Diggy
  8. At The Hop
  9. Hobo Blues
  10. Balham Two Step
  11. Oh Marie

    Personnel

Track listing

  1. Allons Rock 'n' Roll
  2. Bayou Teche
  3. Gotta Have Money
  4. Malhereuse
  5. Big Bad Dog
  6. Secret Love
  7. Cash on the Barrel-head
  8. Too Much
  9. The Last Waltz
  10. Hot Rod
  11. Honky Tonk
  12. Johnny B Goode

    Personnel

Gator Aid
Production

Track listing

  1. Cuvee Cajun
  2. Bayou Pom-Pom
  3. Guerre Civille
  4. Grand Texas
  5. Wet And Swampy
  6. Rosie Cheeks
  7. Cher Mama
  8. Colinda
  9. Jole Blon
  10. Lacassine
  11. Diggy Liggy Lo
  12. Last Waltz
  13. Balham Two Step
  14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
  15. Big Mamou
  16. Hobo Blues
  17. Goodnight Irene

    Personnel

Production

Track listing

  1. Cuvee Cajun
  2. Bayou Pom-Pom
  3. Guerre Civille
  4. Grand Texas
  5. Wet and Swampy
  6. Rosie Cheeks
  7. Cher Mama
  8. Colinda
  9. Jole Blon
  10. Lacassine
  11. Diggy Liggy Lo
  12. Last Waltz
  13. Balham Two Step
  14. Lache Pas Mes Patas
  15. Big Mamou
  16. Hobo Blues
  17. Goodnight Irene

    Personnel

Production

Track listing

  1. Balham Two-Step
  2. Hey-Hey, Ho-Ho
  3. Sugar Bee
  4. Tennessee Blues
  5. Oh Siobhan
  6. Let's Dance
  7. Louisiana
  8. Scotland/Allons a Lafayette
  9. Tacos
  10. Little Liza Jane
  11. Hobo Blues/Balham Two-Step
  12. Oh Marie
  13. Six Days On The Road
  14. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
  15. Caledonia
  16. White Lightning
  17. Diggy Liggy Lo
  18. Let's Go To The Hop
  19. Balham Two-Step
  20. Sacre Bleu
  21. Cajun Walk
  22. If The Swamp Don't get You
  23. Big Mamou
  24. I Don't Wanna Be In Love
  25. Love Has No Pride
  26. Alligators Grinning
  27. It's My Own Business
  28. Diggy Liggy Lo
  29. What Have You Got To Lose
  30. Fine Fine Fine
  31. Feel Like A Fool
  32. Allons Rock 'n' Roll
  33. Bayou Teche
  34. Gotta Have Money
  35. Malheureuse
  36. Big Bad Dog
  37. Secret Love
  38. Cash On The Barrelhead
  39. Too Much
  40. The Last Waltz
  41. Hot Rod
  42. Honky Tonk
  43. Johnny B Goode

    Personnel

Guest musicians