Jean-Marie "JC" Carroll (born 9 February 1956) is an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

composer, songwriter and musician. He has been a members of the post-punk group

The Members The Members is a British punk rock, punk band that originated in Camberley, Surrey, England. In the UK, they are best known for their single "The Sound of the Suburbs", reaching No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart in 1979, and in Australia, "Radio" ...

for over 40 years, and is an established film composer.

Biography

JC Carroll was born in

Camberley Camberley is a town in north-west Surrey, England, around south-west of central London. It is in the Surrey Heath, Borough of Surrey Heath and is close to the county boundaries with Hampshire and Berkshire. Known originally as "Cambridge Tow ...

on 9 February 1956 and attended Salesian College in

Chertsey Chertsey is a town in the Borough of Runnymede, Surrey, England, southwest of central London. It grew up around Chertsey Abbey, founded in AD 666 by Earconwald, St Erkenwald, and gained a municipal charter, market charter from Henry I of Engla ...

, Surrey. After playing in various school bands, Carroll's first taste of serious music was a 1974 chance meeting in the Three Mariners in

Bagshot Bagshot is a large village in the Surrey Heath borough of Surrey, England, approximately southwest of central London. In the past, Bagshot served as an important staging post between London, Southampton and the West Country, evidenced by the ...

, Surrey, with pub rock pioneer and 1970s icon

Graham Parker Graham Thomas Parker (born 18 November 1950) is an English singer-songwriter, who is best known as the lead singer of the British band Graham Parker & the Rumour. Life and career Early career (1960s–1976) Parker was born in Hackney, East L ...

. They recorded a two-track 1/4-inch tape in Carroll's bedroom later to become known in Parker mythology as "The Akai Tapes". Parker went on to international acclaim, and Carroll settled into life as a bank clerk, living in a bedsit in Kilburn and writing songs on a battered acoustic guitar. A chance meeting on a train with Nicky Ritz, a graduate of

Liverpool University The University of Liverpool (abbreviated UOL) is a public research university in Liverpool, England. Founded in 1881 as University College Liverpool, Victoria University, it received Royal Charter by King Edward VII in 1903 attaining the de ...

, sometimes insurance salesman, singer, and beat poet with a talent for self-promotion led in 1977 to his being asked to join Ritz's band

. The Members' first single, "Solitary Confinement" (which Carroll co-wrote with Nicky Tesco), was released on

Stiff Records Stiff Records is a British independent record label formed in London by Dave Robinson (music executive), Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera. Originally active from 1976 to 1986, the label was reactivated in 2007. Established at the outset of the p ...

. In the spring of 1979, the Members released their UK anthem "The Sound of the Suburbs" (which Carroll also co-wrote). This record went on to sell 250,000 copies in months. The track has been featured on hundreds of punk compilations. The album ''

At the Chelsea Nightclub ''At the Chelsea Nightclub'' is The Members' first album, released in 1979. Reception ''Smash Hits'' said, "the Members are supposed to be one of the hottest post-punk rock bands around, but I have my doubts. They're disposable pop rather than c ...

...'' gained critical approval and has been listed in ''

Record Collector ''Record Collector'' is a British monthly music magazine focussing on rare and collectable records, and the bands who recorded them. It was founded in September 1979 and distributes worldwide. It is promoted as "the world’s leading authority o ...

'' as one of the top 20 punk albums ever made. The Members recorded "Offshore Banking Business", a very early example of white reggae (with a political message). The Members then concentrated on the American and overseas market as they chalked up hits in America ("Working Girl") and Australia ("Radio") before becoming dormant in 1983. Carroll married Sophy Lynn in 1988, and they opened a boutique in

Notting Hill Gate Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in Inner London. Historically the street was a location for Tollbooth, toll gates, from which it derives its modern name. Location At Ossingto ...

in London, named the Dispensary. The Dispensary later grew to four separate shops in Soho (London and Notting Hill Gate. The shop became a gathering place for the early

acid house Acid house (also simply known as just " acid") is a subgenre of house music developed around the mid-1980s by DJs from Chicago. The style is defined primarily by the squelching sounds and basslines of the Roland TB-303 electronic bass synt ...

scene. During this period, he became more and more involved in the production and design of tee shirts then tailored clothing. Without any formal training, Carroll made trousers, jackets, overcoats, shirts and leather jackets for the Dispensary. JC and Sophy had two children Grace Ivana and Irma Rose and worked together until 2002 when they separated. During the 1980s and 1990s, Carroll concentrated on playing the accordion and mandolin and studying various European and ethnic music. During this period, he recorded music with Sex Pistol

Glen Matlock Glen Matlock (born 27 August 1956) is an English musician, best known for being the bass guitarist in the original line-up of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. He is credited as a songwriter on 10 of the 12 songs on the Sex Pistols' only offic ...

and

New York Doll ''New York Doll'' is a documentary based on the life of former New York Dolls member Arthur Kane. It was nominated for both a Satellite Award and a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered in 2005. Synopsis The film d ...

Johnny Thunders John Anthony Genzale (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), known professionally as Johnny Thunders, was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of New York Dolls. He later formed the He ...

, playing both mandolin and accordion on Thunders' version of " Que Sera Sera". A chance meeting with film music composer

Michael Kamen Michael Arnold Kamen (April 15, 1948 – November 18, 2003) was an American composer (especially of film scores), orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, songwriter, record producer and musician. Early life Michael Arnold Kamen was born in ...

led to Carroll's being asked to play accordion on ''

Don Juan DeMarco ''Don Juan DeMarco'' is a 1995 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Johnny Depp as John Arnold DeMarco, a man who believes himself to be Don Juan, the greatest lover in the world. Clad in a cape and domino mask, DeMarco undergoes psych ...

'', featuring

Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cinema actors of the 20th century,''Movies in American History: An Encyclopedia''

and

Johnny Depp John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Johnny Depp, multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for ...

. In 2008, Carroll married his partner Sheila and re-established The Members as a live and recording band with original bassist Chris Payne and new drummer Nick Cash (temporarily replaced in 2010 by

Rat Scabies Christopher John Millar (born 30 July 1955), known by his stage name Rat Scabies, is a musician best known as the drummer for English punk rock band the Damned. Career Millar was born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. He played drums with Tor ...

of The Damned). In 2009, Carroll recorded ''The Golborne Variations'', with

Guy Pratt Guy Adam Pratt (born 3 January 1962) is a British bassist. He has worked with artists including Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Gary Moore, Madonna, Peter Cetera, Michael Jackson, the Smiths, Robert Palmer (singer), Robert Palmer, Echo & the Bunnymen, T ...

, Nick Cash, Chester Kamen, Chris Payne and Jennifer Pearl. Long-term collaborator and producer

David M. Allen David M. Allen (born 29 June 1953) is an English record producer, engineer and mixer. He is mostly known for his work with new wave, synth-pop and goth rock bands including the Cure, the Sisters of Mercy, the Chameleons, Depeche Mode, the Mis ...

produced this album. In 2011, Carroll shot and edited a movie, with filmmaker Simon Godley, titled ''The Golborne Variations''. This film premiered together with the first public performance of ''Golborne Variations'' at the 2011

Portobello Film Festival The Portobello Film Festival is an independent international film festival based in London, which annually premiers over 700 new films, including feature films, features, short films, shorts, documentaries, music films, and animation. Additionall ...

, where it won a special prize. In 2011, ''

New Musical Express ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a " rock inkie", the ''NME'' would become a maga ...

'' (''NME'') listed two of Carroll's songs, 1979's "Offshore Banking" and 2009's "Caveman TV" on a list of forgotten masterpieces. In 2012, Carroll produced and released two records on his own AngloCentric Label - The Members fourth studio album ''Ingrrland'' and a solo album titled ''21st Century Blues'' (Released as Jay Cee Carroll). He also released a single using the stage name jPad titled "Totally Obsessed". He also wrote soundtrack music for

Julien Temple Julien Temple (born 26 November 1953) is a British film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including ''The Great Rock 'n' Roll ...

's documentary ''London a Modern Babylon'' 2013 saw The Members tour Australia and New Zealand, and Carroll continued to produce videos, notably a cover of

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

's "

Where Are We Now? "Where Are We Now?" is a song by English musician David Bowie. Recorded in secret between September and October 2011 at the Magic Shop in New York City, it was released by ISO and Columbia Records as the lead single of his 25th studio album '' ...

" In 2014, The Members toured the U.S. Carroll worked on soundtracks for ''6 Bullets to Hell'', ''Hec McAdam'', ''Looking for Johnny''. In 2016, Carroll completed production of The Members fifth studio album titled ''One Law''. The album was released in conjunction with Cadiz Music and Carroll's label Anglocentric. This was the first Members album produced by Carroll. It featured Nigel Bennett on lead guitar, Chris Payne on bass, Nick Cash on drums, Carroll on various instruments and vocals. It also featured guest appearances by original Jam vocalist Steve Brookes and longtime Pink Floyd and David Gilmour bass player

on "Incident at Surbiton". 1n 2020 Carroll published an Autobiography ''(Still) Annoying the Neighbours'' with the help of rock journalist

Chris Salewicz Chris Salewicz ( ) is a journalist, broadcaster and novelist who lives in London. Career Salewicz was as a senior features writer for the ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') from 1975 to 1981, where, under tutelage of editor Neil Spencer, he an ...

and graphic artist

Malcolm Garrett Malcolm Leslie Garrett (born 1956) is a British graphic designer, and Creative Director of Images&Co, a communications design consultancy based in London, UK. He is Ambassador for Manchester School of Art and co-founder of the annual Design Ma ...

the book was well received in the press sold well. He also composed music for director

's on the Award-winning

Shane MacGowan Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (25 December 195730 November 2023) was a British-born Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He won acclaim for his lyrics, whic ...

biopic ''A Crock of Gold'' In 2021 Carroll produced the Members 7th Studio Album "Bedsitland" with current members of The Members Nigel Bennett, Chris Payne, and Nick Cash who were joined by guests John Perry (the Only Ones) and Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd) To Combat the Boredom of lockdown he began broadcasting from his studio a series of Live Streams Known as "Solitary confinement in the Suburbs" 2022 Carroll takes part in a Radio Documentary about art in the Suburbs where Ian Hislop describes JC as "the TS Eliot of Punk" in his Radio 4 Programme "in Suburbia"

Discography

JC Carroll discography * ''

Streets Streets is the plural of street, a type of road. Streets or The Streets may also refer to: Music * Streets (band), a rock band fronted by Kansas vocalist Steve Walsh * ''Streets'' (punk album), a 1977 compilation album of various early UK punk ba ...

'' -

Beggars Banquet Records Beggars Banquet Records is a British independent record label. Beggars Banquet started as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin and is part of the Beggars Group of labels. History In 1977, spurred by the prevailing D ...

(1977) * ''Solitary Confinement'' - The Members,

(1978) * ''Sound of the Suburbs'' - The Members,

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), ...

(1979) * ''

'' - The Members, Virgin Records (1979) * ''1980 The Choice Is Yours'' - The Members, Virgin Records (1980) * ''Casual Trousers'' - Fresh Records (1982) * ''Solidarity - The Children of 7'' - Stiff Records (1983) * ''Uprhythm Downbeat'' - The Members,

Arista Records Arista Records ( ) is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was previously a division of Bertelsmann Music G ...

(1983) * ''Radio'' - The Members,

Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in Jamaica by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in 1959, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, another ...

(1983) * ''Going West'' - The Members, Albion (1983) * ''Que Sera Sera''

Jungle Records Jungle Records is a British independent record label established in 1982, specializing in punk rock, post punk, gothic, and alternative releases. From 1982 to 1986, they also operated as a record distributor and were associate members of t ...

(1998) * ''The Rock Is in the Laptop'' - Anglocentric (2006) * ''New English Blues Volume 1'' - Anglocentric (2007) * '' The Golborne Variations'' - Anglocentric (2008) * ''Live in Berlin: The Members'' - Anglocentric (2012) * ''21st Century Blues'' - Anglocentric (2012) * ''Ingrrland'' - The Members, Anglocentric (2012) * ''One Law'' - The Members, Anglocentric (2016) * ''Country and Electronica''- The Space Rangers, Anglocentric (2016) * ''Smartphone Junkie'' - The Members, Anglocentric (2018) * ''Greatest Hits: All the Singles'' - The Members, Anglocentric (2018) * '' West Byfleet Selfie'' - Anglocentric (2019) * ''Version'' - The Members,

Cleopatra Records Cleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label that has the sub-labels Hypnotic Records, Goldenlane, Stardust, Purple Pyramid, Deadline and X-Ray Records. History Founded in January 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in go ...

(2019) * ''Bedsitland'' - The Members, Anglocentric Records (2021)

Films

with scores or contributions by JC Carroll * ''

Urgh! A Music War ''Urgh! A Music War'' is a 1982 British concert film featuring performances by punk rock, new wave, and post-punk bands and artists. Filmed in August to September 1980 it was directed by Derek Burbidge and produced by Michael White and Lynda ...

'' (1981) * ''

'' (1994) * ''

Loch Ness Loch Ness (; ) is a large freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands. It takes its name from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Loch Ness is best known for claimed sightings of the cryptozoology, cryptozoological Loch Ness Mons ...

'' (1996) * ''

Hannibal Rising ''Hannibal Rising'' is a psychological horror novel by American author Thomas Harris, published in 2006. It is the fourth and final novel in Harris's series and the first novel in chronological order of the novels of Thomas Harris centered aro ...

'' (2007) * ''

Straightheads ''Straightheads'' is a 2007 British revenge/thriller film (titled ''Closure'' in the US), featuring brutal sexual violence, which follows a couple who seek revenge against a group of men. It was written and directed by Dan Reed, who made his di ...

'' (2007) * '' Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten'' (2007) * ''

Stardust Stardust may refer to: * A type of cosmic dust, composed of particles in space Entertainment Songs * “Stardust” (1927 song), by Hoagy Carmichael * “Stardust” (David Essex song), 1974 * “Stardust” (Lena Meyer-Landrut song), 2012 * ...

'' (2007) * ''

Virgin Territory ''Virgin Territory'' is a 2007 romantic comedy film directed by David Leland. It was the last film produced by Dino De Laurentiis. The film stars Hayden Christensen, Mischa Barton, Tim Roth, Rosalind Halstead and Kate Groombridge. It is b ...

'' (2008) * ''

Telstar Telstar refers to a series of communications satellites. The first two, Telstar 1 and Telstar 2, were experimental and nearly identical. Telstar 1 launched atop of a Thor-Delta rocket on July 10, 1962, successfully relayed the first televisi ...

'' (2008) * ''Oil City Confidential'' (2009) * ''

Johnny English Reborn ''Johnny English Reborn'' is a 2011 spy action comedy film directed by Oliver Parker and written by Hamish McColl from a story by William Davies. A sequel to '' Johnny English'' (2003) and the second instalment in the ''Johnny English'' ...

'' (2011) * ''The Golborne Variations'' (2011) * ''London Modern Babylon'' (2012) * ''Looking for Johnny'' (2014) * ''Six Bullets to Hell'' (2014) * ''

The Invisible Woman The Invisible Woman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in ''Fantastic Four (comic book), The Fantastic Four'' #1 (November 1961). Susan St ...

'' (2013) * ''

Hector In Greek mythology, Hector (; , ) was a Trojan prince, a hero and the greatest warrior for Troy during the Trojan War. He is a major character in Homer's ''Iliad'', where he leads the Trojans and their allies in the defense of Troy, killing c ...

'' (2015) * '' Amar Akbar & Tony'' (2015) * ''The Marriage of Reason and Squalor'' (2015) * ''Let Me Go'' (2016) * ''Sad Vacation'' (2018) * ''Suggs: My Life Story'' (2018) * ''We Are the League'' (2019) * ''Crock of Gold'' (2020)

References

External links

Official Website

The Members Official Site

Why Music Matters BlogJC Carroll YouTube PageThe MembersYouTube Page
*
Johnny Walker Interview BBC Sounds of the 70smalcolm Wyatt article on JC CarrollJC Carroll interviewed in FuzzcastBook review in Louder then WarHow We made "Sound of the Suburbs - Dave Simpson - The GuardianBook review in "Vive Le Rock" Hugh GullandArticle in Irish Times on Autobiography
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Carroll, JC Living people English composers English rock musicians English male songwriters Entertainers from Camberley 1956 births

Biography

Discography

Films

See also

References

External links