The Nightingales was formed from the ashes of the Prefects (The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, John Peel sessions, Rough Trade records) and gained cult status in the ’80s as favorites of the credible music scene, continually championed by Peel. Described in John Robb’s post-punk book Death To Trad Rock as “the misfits’ misfits,” the band regrouped in 2004 and have since released a dozen critically acclaimed albums, regularly touring the USA and Europe, from Scotland to Serbia.
In 2021, a full-length documentary about the band, King Rocker, written by Stewart Lee, received rave reviews following its premiere on Sky TV and later had cinema screenings in the UK and Australia. All of the group’s original albums have been reissued as deluxe double vinyl LPs, and in 2022, the band released the original soundtrack album to King Rocker alongside a DVD of the film with assorted extras. The Nightingales’ most recent studio album, The Last Laugh, is widely regarded as their best work yet. After supporting The Damned on tour in 2023, interest in the band continues to grow, and their live performances are legendary. One of England’s great originals, they work equally well with pop musicians, rock ‘n’ rollers, and the avant-garde.
