Wet Wet Wet

Biography

Wet Wet Wet are a Scottish soft rock band formed in 1982 in Clydebank by Marti Pellow (lead vocals), Graeme Clark (bass), Graeme Duffin (guitar) and Tommy Cunningham (drums). The bands debut album, Popped In Souled Out×Popped In Souled Out28 September 1987 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracksA1Wishing I Was Lucky3:52A2East of the River3:24A3I Remember4:44A4Angel Eyes (Home and Away)5:13A5Words of WisdomA6Don’t Let Me Be Lonely TonightA7World in AnotherB1Sweet Little MysteryB2I Don’t Believe (Sonny’s Letter)B3Temptation4:59B4I Can Give You Everything4:05B5The Moment You Left Me5:02B6Wishing I Was Lucky (live version)3:48 (1987) spawned four successful singles, including "Wishing I Was Lucky×Wishing I Was Lucky16 March 1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAWishing I Was Lucky3:51BWords of Wisdom3:51" and "Angel Eyes (Home and Away)×Angel Eyes (Home and Away)1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Angel Eyes (Home and Away) (Full Length version)5:132We Can Love4:413Home and Away (original demo version)4:124Angel Eyes (Home and Away) (7″ version)4:30", with the album peaking atop the albums charts in the United Kingdom, selling 1.5 million copies and earning a 5x Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The lead single from their fourth album, Picture This×Picture This31 March 1995 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Julia Says4:102After the Love Goes3:503Somewhere Somehow3:514Gypsy Girl2:125Don't Want to Forgive Me Now2:566She Might Never Know4:457Someone Like You3:498Love Is My Shepherd3:229She's All on My Mind3:5610Morning4:0911Home Tonight4:0712Love Is All Around4:04 (1995), "Love Is All Around×Love Is All Around6 May 1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Love Is All Around4:022I Can Give You Everything (Soul mix)4:22", topped the singles charts in the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and their native Scotland. Spending a total of fifteen consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Charts, it became one of the longest chart reigns of all time in the United Kingdom, where it sold over 1.9 million copies. The band dissolved in 1997 following the release of their fifth album, 10. The band reformed in 2004 with the original members, and released their fifth album, Timeless×Timeless12 November 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Run3:502Thru’ the Night3:403Weightless4:154Real Life4:465Eyes Wide Open4:526In Every Heart (a Fire Burns)4:077Too Many People4:368I Believe3:409Heaven4:0010New Age Sacrifice3:4711What Do You Know4:0112Eyes Wide Open (orchestral mix)4:54 in 2007.
The band is currently composed of founding member Graeme Clark (bass, vocals) and lead vocalist Kevin Simm, who replaced founding member Marti Pellow in 2018 after he left during the previous year. Graeme Duffin (lead guitar, vocals) has also been with the band as a touring musician since 1983. The band were named Best British Newcomer at the 1988 Brit Awards.

Formation and early years: 1982–1987

The quartet formed at Clydebank High School in Clydebank, Scotland, in 1982, under the name Vortex Motion, mostly playing covers of the Clash and Magazine. "It was either crime, the dole, football, or music — and we chose music," said Tommy Cunningham. The original line-up consisted of Neil Mitchell (keyboards), Tommy Cunningham (drums), Graeme Clark (bass), Mark McLachlan (a.k.a. Marti Pellow) (vocals) and Lindsey McCauley (guitar).

Clark and Cunningham met on the school bus and became close friends. Mutual friend Neil Mitchell, prompted by his pals' positive attitude, promised to supply keyboards when he could scrape together enough money from his paper round. To complete the quartet, Clark approached Mark McLachlan, who at the time was training to be a painter and decorator. He said, "At break we all went behind the kitchen for a fly smoke, and there in the corner was this quiet kid who said very little, but when he sang, everyone listened." It was sometime in 1983 that Graeme Duffin joined Wet Wet Wet, after the departure of co-founder Lindsey McCauley. Duffin had previously been in a Glasgow-based band called New Celeste and recorded two albums with them High Sands and the Liquid Lake (1977) in Holland (with sleeve notes by Billy Connolly) on the Universe label and On the Line (1979) in Berlin on the Hansa Records label. The band combined folk, rock and jazz players.
With the line-up complete, rehearsals took place in Mrs. Clark's kitchen. They rehearsed for about two years, working on song producing and writing skills. They eventually made their live debut at Glasgow's Nightmoves venue. At this gig they met Elliot Davis, who would become the band's manager. The band name Wet Wet Wet was chosen from a line in the 1982 Scritti Politti song "Gettin' Havin' & Holdin'" ("it's tired of joking... wet, wet with tears"), and McLachlan changed his name to stage name "Marti Pellow". Their first professional gig was a New Year's Eve show at Glasgow's Barrowlands.
David Bates signed the band to PolyGram in 1985. One of the first demo songs they did was "Wishing I Was Lucky×Wishing I Was Lucky16 March 1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAWishing I Was Lucky3:51BWords of Wisdom3:51". When the band took the demo to Bates in late 1986, he discarded it as a poor effort. The band decided at this point that they could no longer work with him. Six months later, the band and their new A&R Manager, Nick Angel, released the single, and it reached number six in the UK singles chart. "I was in a queue in a fish and chip shop in Glasgow when it came on Radio Clyde," Cunningham remembers. "I felt like shouting to everybody, 'That's me and my mates!' It was an incredible feeling I've not forgotten." The parent album, Popped In Souled Out×Popped In Souled Out28 September 1987 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracksA1Wishing I Was Lucky3:52A2East of the River3:24A3I Remember4:44A4Angel Eyes (Home and Away)5:13A5Words of WisdomA6Don’t Let Me Be Lonely TonightA7World in AnotherB1Sweet Little MysteryB2I Don’t Believe (Sonny’s Letter)B3Temptation4:59B4I Can Give You Everything4:05B5The Moment You Left Me5:02B6Wishing I Was Lucky (live version)3:48, also became a hit and produced three more hit singles, namely "Sweet Little Mystery×Sweet Little Mystery1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksASweet Little Mystery (Mister E. mix)6:08B1Sweet Little Mystery (dub version)7:13B2Sweet Little Mystery (7" version)3:42", "Temptation×Temptation1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Temptation (extended version)5:042I Remember (extended version)7:233Bottled Emotions (Keen for Loving)2:544Heaven Help Us All4:03", and "Angel Eyes". They supported Lionel Richie on his UK tour.

Commercial success: 1988–1996

In 1988, Wet Wet Wet scored their first Number 1 hit with a cover version of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends", recorded for the charity ChildLine. Another Beatles song, "She's Leaving Home", was equally-billed on the flip side, performed by Billy Bragg. In the same year, an album - entitled The Memphis Sessions×The Memphis Sessions7 November 1988 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1I Don't Believe4:112Sweet Little Mystery3:363East of the River3:414This Time4:185Temptation3:506I Remember4:457For You Are4:258Heaven Help Us All3:52 - was released from their spell in the United States prior to hitting the big time. It was produced and mixed by Willie Mitchell. It was recorded at his Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The following year the band released their third album, Holding Back the River×Holding Back the River1989 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Sweet Surrender6:012Can’t Stand the Night4:123Blue for You4:524Broke Away4:475You’ve Had It5:146I Wish5:067Keys to Your Heart4:258Maggie May6:049Hold Back the River4:4610How the Hell Did They Get There3:38, which was also a success and produced the hit single "Sweet Surrender×Sweet Surrender1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Sweet Surrender4:262This Time4:593H.T.H.D.T.G.T.3:464Sweet Surrender (extended version)6:48". The album was well-received, relying more on strings and other classical arrangements. At the end of 1989, the band appeared on the Band Aid II charity single.
In 1992, the band released a fourth studio album, entitled High on the Happy Side×High on the Happy Side1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1More Than Love4:242Lip Service4:593Put the Light On4:004High on the Happy Side4:395Maybe Tomorrow4:206Good Night Girl3:417Celebration2:528Make It Tonight4:069How Long4:1610Brand New Sunrise3:0211Two Days After Midnite5:05, which spawned the Number 1 hit single "Goodnight Girl×Goodnight Girl1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Goodnight Girl3:412Wishing I Was Lucky3:533Temptation (Memphis Sessions)3:474Angel Eyes (Home and Away)5:16" – the only self-penned chart-topping single they have had to date. The song proved something of a saviour, as the previous two single releases from the album had failed in the singles charts, although the album reached the top of the UK Albums Chart. In total, five singles were released from it. The following day saw the release of a special-edition album, Cloak & Dagger×Cloak & Dagger28 January 1992 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1If You Only KnewA2Wouldn’t Have Made Any DifferenceA3Atlantic AvenueA4Town CrierA5AngelineB1Get ReadyB2Share Your LoveB3You’ve Got a FriendB4Beg Your Pardon Dear, released under the alias "Maggie Pie & The Impostors". "Maggie Pie" was Marti Pellow, and the "impostors" were (on album cover, clockwise from top left) Neil Mitchell, Graeme Duffin, Tommy Cunningham, and Graeme Clark. The band's first greatest-hits package, End of Part One, was released towards the end of 1993. The eighteen-song selection included "Shed a Tear×Shed a Tear1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Shed A Tear4:442Everyday4:043Deadline4:18" and "Cold Cold Heart", which were recorded with Nile Rodgers in New York City especially for the album and released as singles.
In 1994, Wet Wet Wet had their biggest hit, a cover version of the Troggs' single "Love Is All Around×Love Is All Around6 May 1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Love Is All Around4:022I Can Give You Everything (Soul mix)4:22", which was used on the soundtrack to the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. It was a huge international success and spent 15 weeks atop the British charts. The week before it could have equalled the record for the longest-standing number-one single, held by Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", Pellow insisted on its deletion because he wanted to focus on getting their next album, Picture This×Picture This31 March 1995 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Julia Says4:102After the Love Goes3:503Somewhere Somehow3:514Gypsy Girl2:125Don't Want to Forgive Me Now2:566She Might Never Know4:457Someone Like You3:498Love Is My Shepherd3:229She's All on My Mind3:5610Morning4:0911Home Tonight4:0712Love Is All Around4:04, finished. However, even after its deletion, there were still enough copies in the shops to get the song to number 2 in its 16th week, finally knocked off the top spot by Whigfield's debut single "Saturday Night". In any event, it remained in the Top 40 for the remainder of the year. In the official UK best-selling singles list issued in 2002 (the 50th anniversary of the chart), it was placed 12th. "Love Is All Around" also featured on the 1995 album Picture This, their sixth, which also spawned the hit single "Julia Says×Julia Says1994 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Julia Says4:102It's Now or Never3:37" and "Don't Want to Forgive Me Now". The album, although well received by critics, would ultimately live in the shadow of "Love Is All Around". In 1995, they became the shirt sponsors of their hometown football club, Clydebank F.C.

Subsequent releases and break-up activities: 1997–2003

During the rest of the 1990s the band maintained a strong UK following, although success in the singles charts became more sporadic. Their seventh studio album, 1997's Ten, celebrated the group's decade at the top. After the tour in support of 10, things turned sour over a dispute about royalty-sharing. Revenue from the group's songwriting had been a four-way equal split. Cunningham turned up for a routine band meeting, only to discover that the other three members wanted to revise the policy, paying him a lesser amount. Cunningham instantly resigned from the group saying that the band had run its course and that the band was no longer a healthy place to be. In 1999 Pellow also left the band, to focus on getting himself healthy again after succumbing to a debilitating alcohol and drug addiction. Pellow succeeded in kicking his habits, and returned to the public eye in 2001 with his debut solo album, Smile.

Reformation: 2004–2017

In March 2004, the band cautiously reformed in order to work on an eighth album. A single entitled "All I Want×All I Want2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1All I Want4:142I Don’t Wanna Fight Anymore3:393Goodnight Girl (live in Newcastle)4:174All I Want (radio mix)3:48" was released in November 2004 from the band's second Greatest Hits, released a week later. They undertook a successful tour of the UK the following month. In July 2005, Wet Wet Wet played at the Summer Weekender festival in England, and were one of the headline acts at Live 8 Edinburgh in Scotland. On 31 December 2006, Wet Wet Wet were the headline act for Aberdeen's Hogmanay celebrations when the celebrations in all other Scottish cities was held off because of strong winds and heavy rain. They performed thirteen songs in an hour-long set. A single, "Too Many People×Too Many People5 November 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Too Many People3:282Sail On3:47", was released on 5 November 2007, and its parent album, Timeless×Timeless12 November 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Run3:502Thru’ the Night3:403Weightless4:154Real Life4:465Eyes Wide Open4:526In Every Heart (a Fire Burns)4:077Too Many People4:368I Believe3:409Heaven4:0010New Age Sacrifice3:4711What Do You Know4:0112Eyes Wide Open (orchestral mix)4:54, on 12 November. These preceded a sold-out December tour, a taste of which was given at their Newmarket concert in August. In preparation for the tour, the band also announced that they will be playing two intimate dates at zavvi stores in Glasgow and London in November. "Weightless", the second single from the album, was released on 4 February and charted at Number 10, giving them their first top-ten hit in eleven years.
In March 2012, it was announced that the band would perform its first concert in over five years, at Glasgow Green on 20 July, to celebrate their 25th anniversary of the release of their debut album, Popped In, Souled Out. In May 2013, UK music promoter Stuart Galbraith of Kilimanjaro Live confirmed a ten date UK tour for Wet Wet Wet commencing in December 2013. On 8 October 2013, Wet Wet Wet announced via their Twitter page that they would be releasing a new Greatest Hits album, Step by Step: The Greatest Hits×Step by Step: The Greatest Hits25 November 2013 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Step by Step3:592Sad Kinda Love4:323Playin' Like a Kid4:354Don't Want to Forgive Me Now2:575With a Little Help From My Friends2:316Sweet Little Mystery3:417Broke Away4:018Julia Says4:039Lip Service4:1110Angel Eyes (Home and Away)4:3211Sweet Surrender4:2312All I Want4:1613Goodnight Girl3:4114Hold Back the River4:4715Wishing I Was Lucky3:4716Weightless3:3017Temptation3:5918Somewhere Somehow3:5419If I Never See You Again3:5120Love Is All Around3:58, on 25 November 2013. The album features three new tracks as well as songs from their back catalogue. On 28 July 2017, it was announced that Pellow had quit Wet Wet Wet to focus on his solo career.

New line up and The Journey: 2018–present

On 25 September 2018, the band announced that Kevin Simm (formerly of Liberty X) was their new singer. Simm started singing with the band at two shows: St Lukes in Calton, Glasgow, and 229 The Venue in London in November 2018. Following on from their sold-out shows, they announced a nationwide 18-date tour, starting in April 2019.
In November 2020, the band announced the 2021 release of new album The Journey×The Journey1 October 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Back to Memphis4:422The Conversation3:333Northern Town3:534Silver & Gold3:365Comin’ Around3:056Cold Black Coffee Blues4:007If I Don’t Have Luv3:188Beautiful Sunshine2:559Losing You4:1310In Your Eyes3:2311Smile3:4012Colours3:42, their first studio album since 2007 and the first including vocals from former The Voice UK winner Kevin Simm, who also re-recorded the vocals on a number of their hits for the bonus CD (which comes with the 2CD/DVD version of album). In May 2022, drummer Tommy Cunningham announced that he quit the band due to his hearing problem, and keyboard player Neil Mitchell also left the band. In May 2023 it was announced the band would unite with Go West for a co-headline UK tour called the "Best of Both Worlds" starting in January 2024.