Rachel Stamp are an Englishrock band formed in London in 1994. Their debut album, Hymns For Strange Children, was released in 2000, followed by Oceans of Venus two years later.
Biography
Rachel Stamp were formed in 1994 when David Ryder Prangley met Will Crewdson before recruiting Cliff Harris and Mike Rowe. The band signed to WEA Records, but were dropped without releasing the album they had recorded after Clive Black, who had signed the band, left the label. Harris and Rowe left soon after before Crewdson and Ryder Prangley recruited drummer Robin Guy and released several E.P.s through their own label 'Bitch Vinyl'. The band built up a considerable live following and received favourable coverage from magazines such as Kerrang!, Melody Maker and Metal Hammer. They appeared in the film 'G.M.T. Mean Time' produced by Taylor Hackford. Keyboard player Shaheena Dax joined the band in time to record Hymns For Strange Children, their first official album release. It was recorded in two weeks with John Fryer as record producer, and upon its release went to the top of the NME's Independent Chart. Around this time the band headlined the 2000 capacity Astoria Theatre in London, England. The band next signed to Pure Stirling Records, who released their second albumOceans Of Venus in the UK. It was subsequently released in the US by Captiva Records, and in Germany through Sony Music. The video for the single 'Black Cherry' was playlisted on music channelVH1. Robin Guy left the band before Rachel Stamp headed to the USA to play as part of the 'United II' tour featuring Pigface and Dope. Shortly after this the band became inactive for a few years despite never officially splitting up. In 2009 Guy returned to the group for a headling show at London's O2 Academy Islington to support their best ofcompilation album, Now I'm Nailed To Your Bedroom Wall, I've Only Got Myself To Blame. This was followed by a short UK tour in late 2009. The band continues to play live sporadically. In 2010, Will Crewdson and David Ryder-Prangley played alongside Adam Ant on guitar and bass for performances around London. Ant and former longtime collaborator Marco Pirroni had previously guested with Rachel Stamp at a 1997 gig at the original Camden Monarch. Crewdson later returned to Ant's band as joint guitarist in early 2014 and is still presently a member. He was sole guitarist for Ant following the sudden death of bandmate Tom Edwards during a US tour in January 2017 until the recruitment of replacement Adam Leach later that year. Crewdson has also worked with LIVAN, fronted by Greek-born musician Cosmas Livanos. Will Crewdson and Sheheena Dax have also formed a band She Made Me Do It. They have released two EPs - "She Made Me Do It" and Garbos Pool, with an album due out in 2015 and in January 2015 supported Sigue Sigue Sputnik at Electrowerkz. John Robb made them his artist of the day in September 2013. Robin Guy has performed with various bands including Faith No More, Bruce Dickinson, Eric Faulkner's Bay City Rollers and The Business. David Ryder Prangley has performed with Adam Ant, Peter Murphy, Angie Bowie, Eric Faulkner's Bay City Rollers. In 2020 he released his debut solo album 'Black magic & True Love'. Cliff Harris went on to join Liberty 37 Mike Rowe has performed with Oasis, Noel Gallagher and Sheryl Crow.
