4" Be 2"
4 Be 2 · (Active: 1970's —1980's)
Styles: Post-Punk
Formed: 1979 London, England
Disbanded:1981
Active: 1970's—1980's
Biography by Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
He didn't achieve the fame that his older brother John enjoyed, but Jimmy Lydon was part of his own group for a short period during the late '70s and early '80s, 4 Be 2. Like the early releases of his brother's second major band, Public Image Ltd., 4 Be 2's sound featured art-damaged, dub-influenced post-punk. With revolving door assistance from Graham Wheeland, bassist Martin "Youth" Glover (Killing Joke), guitarists Dreary O'Hoodlum and Jock McDonald (who doubled as the group's manager), and drummers Paddy O'Reilly and Paul "Youngie" Young, 4 Be 2 released a trio of singles, debuting on Island in September of 1979 with One of the Lads. The Frustration single followed in July of 1980 and added backing vocals from Keren Woodward and Sarah Dallin, two future members of Bananarama. Though the sleeves for the singles credit John Lydon with production, Jimmy swore (nudge nudge) that it was his father -- not his brother -- that did the knob twiddling. The singer opted to leave the group in March of 1981 and the group celebrated the fact with the All of Lads 12," which was issued on Shamrock. After that, the group continued briefly with Jimmy's adolescent brother, Martin, as the vocalist. Back to the top Members of 4 Be 2 Artist Instrument Born Dreary O'Hoodlum, Graham Wheeland, Jimmy Lydon, Jock McDonald, Paddy O'Reilly & Paul "Youngie" Young
Before we start, John had NO real involvement in any of these 4"Be 2" records, but lets explain… We're only mentioning them in this discography as a way of warning people who don't know better...
4"Be 2" were formed by John's brother Jimmy Lydon along with Jock McDonald (real name O'Donnell); and featured a whole host of Lydon family & associates, including Youth from Killing Joke. John's other brother Martin sometimes appeared with them; as did a certain John "Rambo" Stevens... The band's name was taken from an Irish nickname for a plank of wood, and not rhyming slang. Honest.
The 4" Be 2" claimed John Lydon produced most of their material. However, as far as we know his only involvement, apart from socialising, was to possibly produce their first two singles. Though he later denied working with them at all! Claiming it was just a Jock McDonald cash in... Probably the most infamous John Lydon / 4"Be 2" "collaboration" is the trip to Dublin in 1980, where John ended up in Mountjoy Prison after being beaten up by a barman.
By Autumn 1981 the 4"Be 2" broke up and Jimmy retired into marriage, the rest of the band – with McDonald on vocals – had already released two 12"singles in 1980 and 1981 under the name The Bollock Brothers. Many of the Bollock Brothers (and related) releases had a habit of stating that "J. Lydon", appeared on, or produced them. However, this easily could have been Jimmy and not John Lydon.
Be warned! Various other Bollock Brothers / 4" Be 2" records have been released under a variety of names. Despite what they say about John Lydon's involvement, basically, it's just a scam, avoid them all (except the dub version of 'One of the Lads' which is actually not a bad record).
7" ONE OF THE LADS / UMMBABA (p/s) - ISLAND WIP6530 - (8/79)12": ONE OF THE LADS (Dub Version) / ONE OF THE LADS / UMMBABA (p/s) - ISLAND WIP6530 - (11/79)
(Credited as "Produced by John Lydon")
Debut single by the 4" Be 2". John Lydon allegedly produces both tracks.
Bass guitar by Youth Martin of Killing Joke. Sleeve concept and photography by Dennis Morris.
7": FRUSTRATION / CAN'T EXPLAIN (p/s) - WEA K18290 - (7/80)
(Credited as "Produced by John Lydon")
Second single by the band. 'Frustration' was allegedly produced by John Lydon, who is pictured on the sleeve under the name "Pig Youth". He also gets a co-writing credit on the A-side under the same name. Music press reports from the time claim that he also played bass on the B-side. However, it seems very unlikely, and rumour has it he actually fell asleep during the recording!
A 'Dub Version' of the track also appeared on the 1986 'Lydon & O'Donnell Family Album' (MBC JOCKLP5)
12": ALL OF THE LADS / JIMMY JONES / BITCH - McDONALD LYDONSHAMROCK-1
(4/81)
(Credited as "Produced by John Lydon")
Last 12" single from the band, now on their own label. John Lydon allegedly mixed and produced the two songs on the B-side.
Martin Lydon's address is printed on the cover for T-shirts and info ("for T-shirts or info on the 4"Be 2"s write to Martin Lydon...").
LP: THE LYDON AND O'DONNEL'S FAMILY ALBUM - MBC JOCKLP5 - (6/86)
(Features; One Of The Lads (Dub Version)' / Frustration (Dub Version) / Jimmy Jones / Bitch)
Jock McDonald compilation album featuring all the alleged John Lydon / 4" Be 2" releases. The remainder of the album features Bollock Brothers tracks.
BOOTLEG LP: D WING - UD 6533 - (?/81)
FRUSTRATION / DC-10 / CELTIC ORIGIN / DO THE HUCKLEBACK / BELFAST / FRUSTRATION (AGAIN)
'Hot Wacks' lists this Japanese bootleg (by the same label who released PiL's 'Sci-Fi' album). Apparently it features studio recordings almost certainly recorded in mid 1980 when the band recorded the 'Frustration' single. Therefor it's possible it features John Lydon in some shape or form; possible...
Friday, November 27, 2009
Bollock Movies...
Greatest Hit!
2nd Greatest Hit!
Advertising...
SkullTroniX animatronics performing the Bollock Brothers' "Harley David Son of a Bitch" at the 2009 Transworld show in St. Louis, MO. The SkullTroniX DMX skull and SkeleTron are products available to the public that make it easy to create animated routines.
Eighties Stuff
2nd Greatest Hit!
Advertising...
SkullTroniX animatronics performing the Bollock Brothers' "Harley David Son of a Bitch" at the 2009 Transworld show in St. Louis, MO. The SkullTroniX DMX skull and SkeleTron are products available to the public that make it easy to create animated routines.
Eighties Stuff
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Bollock Brothers?
The Bollock Brothers
THE BOLLOCK BROTHERS are a British punk rock novelty act, led by Jock McDonald (vocals) The group debuted in 1983 with a double novelty album called The Last Supper Their first single immediately hit the press. God Save the Queen, recorded with Michael Fagan, the man who broke into Buckingham Palace. Later in the year, they released one of their more infamous projects, a total re-recording of the sole Sex Pistols album, this time titled Never mind the Pistols, Heres the Bollock Brothers, an electroversion of the famous Sex Pistolsalbum. But they became real famous with culthits as Horror Movies , The Bunker, Harley David, son of a bitch and The Slow Removal Of Vincent Van Goghs Left Ear Releases continued through the mid-'80s, including The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1985), Rock'n'Roll Suicide (1986), and The Prophecies of Nostradamus (1987). McDonald reconvened The Bollock Brothers in 1996 for another go-round on the LP Blood, Sweat and Beers.
Jesus Lives, the bands latest album is now totally sold out, the tracks like Jesus Lived six years longer than Kurt Cobain is receiving heavy air play in the west coast of the US, Wheres my Girl also taken from the album is receiving good plays on Studio Brussels. Fourteen albums to date have been released by the band, many famous musicians have descended from the Bollocks like Youth and Geordie (Killing Joke) Martin Young (Pump up the volume), Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols) on the early productions. Jock Mcdonald has been the only person EVER who got the permission to rewrite and record a Serge Gainsbourg classic (the rest only recorded my dears).
There has always been a strong Belgium connection with the BB. In an earlier live, a man called Bart Peeters replaced their drummer. Yves Feys from TC Matic played keyboards. When their drummer John Mortimer died in 86, he was replaced by Pat Pattyn of Nacht Und Nebel after in that same year Patrick Nebel (Nacht Und Nebel) died, so their forces were united.
And now they are back, live even stronger then they ever were.
A new single,Cyber Polaroid, produced by Luc Van Acker, was already released last year and the new full album Last Will And Testament will be released this year.
Before this release there will be another interesting release ! A Best Of The Bollock Brothers album with a bonuscd with remixes of famous artists from all over the world. Furthermore The Bollock Brothers music seems to have been rediscovered by a new and younger generation of hip musicians from all over the world. Today, renowned artists such as Vive La Fete and 2Many DJs emulate the bands early work on this new album .
Ladies and gentlemen... THE BOLLOCK BROTHERS!
THE BOLLOCK BROTHERS are a British punk rock novelty act, led by Jock McDonald (vocals) The group debuted in 1983 with a double novelty album called The Last Supper Their first single immediately hit the press. God Save the Queen, recorded with Michael Fagan, the man who broke into Buckingham Palace. Later in the year, they released one of their more infamous projects, a total re-recording of the sole Sex Pistols album, this time titled Never mind the Pistols, Heres the Bollock Brothers, an electroversion of the famous Sex Pistolsalbum. But they became real famous with culthits as Horror Movies , The Bunker, Harley David, son of a bitch and The Slow Removal Of Vincent Van Goghs Left Ear Releases continued through the mid-'80s, including The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1985), Rock'n'Roll Suicide (1986), and The Prophecies of Nostradamus (1987). McDonald reconvened The Bollock Brothers in 1996 for another go-round on the LP Blood, Sweat and Beers.
Jesus Lives, the bands latest album is now totally sold out, the tracks like Jesus Lived six years longer than Kurt Cobain is receiving heavy air play in the west coast of the US, Wheres my Girl also taken from the album is receiving good plays on Studio Brussels. Fourteen albums to date have been released by the band, many famous musicians have descended from the Bollocks like Youth and Geordie (Killing Joke) Martin Young (Pump up the volume), Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols) on the early productions. Jock Mcdonald has been the only person EVER who got the permission to rewrite and record a Serge Gainsbourg classic (the rest only recorded my dears).
There has always been a strong Belgium connection with the BB. In an earlier live, a man called Bart Peeters replaced their drummer. Yves Feys from TC Matic played keyboards. When their drummer John Mortimer died in 86, he was replaced by Pat Pattyn of Nacht Und Nebel after in that same year Patrick Nebel (Nacht Und Nebel) died, so their forces were united.
And now they are back, live even stronger then they ever were.
A new single,Cyber Polaroid, produced by Luc Van Acker, was already released last year and the new full album Last Will And Testament will be released this year.
Before this release there will be another interesting release ! A Best Of The Bollock Brothers album with a bonuscd with remixes of famous artists from all over the world. Furthermore The Bollock Brothers music seems to have been rediscovered by a new and younger generation of hip musicians from all over the world. Today, renowned artists such as Vive La Fete and 2Many DJs emulate the bands early work on this new album .
Ladies and gentlemen... THE BOLLOCK BROTHERS!
The early years 1979 - 1983
4" Be 2"
4" Be 2" were formed by John's brother Jimmy Lydon along with Jock McDonald (real name O'Donnell), together with a whole host of Lydon family & friends. The band's name was taken from an old Irish joke about a plank of wood, and not rhyming slang! The 4" Be 2" claimed John Lydon produced most of their stuff. As far as we know John Lydon's only involvement with them, apart from socialising, was to possibly produce their first two singles. Though he later denied working with them at all, claiming it was all a McDonald cash in... Probably the most famous John Lydon / 4"Be 2" "collaboration" is the infamous trip to Dublin in 1980, where he ended up in Mountjoy Prison after being beaten up by a barman. By Autumn 1981 the 4"Be 2" broke up and Jimmy retired into marriage, the rest of the band with McDonald on vocals had already released two 12"singles in 1980 and 1981 under the name The Bollock Brothers. Many of the Bollock Brothers (and related) releases had a habit of stating that "J. Lydon", appeared on, or produced them. However, this easily could have been Jimmy and not John Lydon. Incidentally John's other brother Martin also appeared with the band, along with a certain Mr John Rambo...
Members: Jimmy Lydon, Jock McDonald
Genre: Electronic Rock
Releases:
1979 One Of The Lads - Island Records
1979 One Of The Lads (7") - Island Records
1979 One Of The Lads (12") - Island Records
1980 Frustration (7", Single) - WEA International Inc.
1981 All Of The Lads (12") - McDonald And Lydon Records
Red Lipstique
Genre: Electronic Rock
Releases:
1982 Drac's Back (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1982 Drac's Back (12") - Magnet (2)
1982 Drac's Back (7") - Magnet (2)
1983 Drac's Back (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Oscar Wilde (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Shame,Shame,Shame (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Shame,Shame,Shame (7") - Charly Records Ltd.
4" Be 2" were formed by John's brother Jimmy Lydon along with Jock McDonald (real name O'Donnell), together with a whole host of Lydon family & friends. The band's name was taken from an old Irish joke about a plank of wood, and not rhyming slang! The 4" Be 2" claimed John Lydon produced most of their stuff. As far as we know John Lydon's only involvement with them, apart from socialising, was to possibly produce their first two singles. Though he later denied working with them at all, claiming it was all a McDonald cash in... Probably the most famous John Lydon / 4"Be 2" "collaboration" is the infamous trip to Dublin in 1980, where he ended up in Mountjoy Prison after being beaten up by a barman. By Autumn 1981 the 4"Be 2" broke up and Jimmy retired into marriage, the rest of the band with McDonald on vocals had already released two 12"singles in 1980 and 1981 under the name The Bollock Brothers. Many of the Bollock Brothers (and related) releases had a habit of stating that "J. Lydon", appeared on, or produced them. However, this easily could have been Jimmy and not John Lydon. Incidentally John's other brother Martin also appeared with the band, along with a certain Mr John Rambo...
Members: Jimmy Lydon, Jock McDonald
Genre: Electronic Rock
Releases:
1979 One Of The Lads - Island Records
1979 One Of The Lads (7") - Island Records
1979 One Of The Lads (12") - Island Records
1980 Frustration (7", Single) - WEA International Inc.
1981 All Of The Lads (12") - McDonald And Lydon Records
Red Lipstique
Genre: Electronic Rock
Releases:
1982 Drac's Back (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1982 Drac's Back (12") - Magnet (2)
1982 Drac's Back (7") - Magnet (2)
1983 Drac's Back (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Oscar Wilde (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Shame,Shame,Shame (12") - Charly Records Ltd.
1983 Shame,Shame,Shame (7") - Charly Records Ltd.
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