NWOBHM WEDNESDAY: BABY TUCKOO

Formed 1982 in Barnsley, England this short-lived band took their name from the James Joyce novel "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man". As part of the NWOBHM scene the band managed two full-length albums in 1984's "First Born" (Ultranoise) and 1986's "Force Majeure" (Music For Nations) as well a single and EPs. Baby Tuckoo featured Andy Barrott (keyboards) formerly of Geddes Axe (where he played guitar) in their ranks as well as future Jagged Edge member Rob Armitage (vocals). While the group was more on the melodic side of things (meaning more hard rock and less Iron Maiden worship) they were quite good at what they did. Certainly the genre could have used more than the typical Iron Maiden copy cat group and Baby Tuckoo provided that with an emphasis on melodic keyboard rock as much as guitar driven hard rock. Despite how that sounds on paper the band were harder edged than your Praying Mantis type British band of the band. After Armitage left the group in 1986 (in an attempt to join Accept of all groups) the band quietly folded. Their music is still readily available and while it might sound somewhat dated I still find it enjoyable. Melodic hard rock/NWOBHM won't appeal to everyone quite honestly but for those of you willing to explore the lighter side of the movement Baby Tuckoo could just surprise.