The name Colenso Parade is used by two bands from Northern Ireland, originally a punk/rock outfit from 1984; and then by an unsigned indie rock band in 2007. The latter band has no connection to the former and has not officially obtained rights to the band name, so is not expected ever to release material under that name. Their soulful indie exudes romance, melodies and attitude with nods to the classic song writing partnerships and a majority share of home made originality. Their storytelling is brimming with blue eyed romance, jaded heartbreak and wry observations. Plaudits from institutions as NME, AU Magazine, Radio 1, ATL and Hotpress Magazine suggest these catchy tunes are not to be ignored! The original Colenso Parade were an alternative rock band from Belfast, formed in 1984. Taking their name from a street in the Stranmillis area of their native city, the original line-up was Oscar (Thomas) Askin (vocals), Linda Clandinning (keyboards), Neil Lawson (bass guitar), Jackie Forgie (guitar) and Robert Wakeman (drums). After releasing two singles on their own Goliath label, they moved to London and signed to their manager Dave Bedford's Fire Records, (Pulp, The Jazz Butcher, Neutal Milk Hotel, Bark Psychosis etc.) with Forgie being replaced by guitarist Terry Bickers (later in The House of Love/Levitation). After an EP and LP on Fire, Bickers departed to join The House of Love, to be replaced by John Watt (previously of Kissed Air and currently composer for BBC's Dragon's Den). Wakeman also left, his replacement being ex-Big Self drummer Owen Howell. Their next release, "Fontana Eyes" received heavy airplay, although they split soon after, in 1986. Singer Askin was offered the job of replacing Ian McCulloch in Echo & the Bunnymen but declined, and went on to work in corporate events as MD of the AV company Metro Ecosse. Drummer Wakeman later resurfaced in Salad. See http://irishrock.org/ipnw/bands/colensoparade.html for a discography of the band, including nice pictures of the album and single sleeves. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.