The Bridewell Taxis | en

The Bridewell Taxis (later The Bridewells) were a Leeds-based British rock group formed in 1988.

After a flexi-disc "Lies", their first EP, Just Good Friends, released in 1989, reached number 18 on the UK Indie Chart. The band were often compared to Madchester bands such as Happy Mondays, and had a support slots for Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays, and Stone Roses. This was followed by a series of EPs through 1990 and 1991, including a cover of Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper". They recorded a session for John Peel's BBC Radio One show in 1990. Debut album Invisible To You, a collection of tracks from their singles was released in July 1991. The original line-up featured Mick Roberts (vocals), Simon Scott (bass), Glenn Scullion (drums), Sean McElhone (guitar), Chris Walton (trombone), and Gary Wilson (keyboards). Carl Finlow (keyboards) joined in the summer of 1991, replacing trombonist Chris Walton. The Bridewell Taxis split in late 1991 after failing to secure a record deal. Their final gig was at their spiritual home, the Warehouse in Leeds. An abbreviated version of the band reappeared in 1992 with a shift in sound, and a shortened name, an EP Smile followed by a second album, Cage later that year. Only Mick Roberts and Chris Walton remained from the original line-up.

Prompted by the re-formed Happy Mondays, The Bridewell Taxis reformed in 2005, and began playing live again. The band played a sell-out re-union gig in Leeds in October 2005 and followed that with two more hometown sell-outs. Mick Roberts, Glenn Scullion, and Sean McElhone were the three original members, joined by twins James (bass) and Jools Metcalfe (guitar).The following year, the band embarked on a mini-tour, kicking off with a sell-out at London's Hope and Anchor, and ending with a show for over 1,000 at Leeds University. The band split again in June 2006. .