Martin Stephenson & The Daintees

Led by Donovan-like British guitarist, singer, and songwriter Martin Stephenson, formerly with the Blue Moon Boys, Martin Stephenson & the Daintees are one of Scotland's truly eccentric bands. While their music is a blend of rockabilly, show tunes, rootsy pop, straight-ahead rock, and punk, their lyrics are extremely controversial with topics including lesbianism, Roy Buchanan's alcoholism, miscarriages, and working in a slaughterhouse. Formed in Sunderland, Northeast England, Martin Stephenson & the Daintees originally featured a ten-year-old vocalist. The band's debut single, "Roll On Summer," released in 1982, was followed by their first album, Boat to Bolivia, three years later. Although they recorded three additional albums -- Gladsome, Humour & Blue in 1988, Salutation Row (produced by Dwight Yoakam and Michelle Shocked producer Pete Anderson) in 1990, and The Boy's Heart in 1992 -- sales fell far short of expectations and the group disbanded in 1993. Stephenson, who performed in local pubs in the Highlands following the band's demise, re-formed the group in 2000. ~ Craig Harris