Clark Datchler

Clark Datchler was just a teenager when he released his first single titled 'You Won't Get Fooled Again' (1981). The single featured the drummer and bassist from reggae group Aswad. Following this record, Clark signed up with Warner Bros. Records and moved to the States, Los Angeles, where he began writing songs for various bands. He returned to the UK, London, and here he joined a band called Hot Club with Calvin Hayes, James Christopher Stevenson of Generation X, and Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols. The band released one single, 'It Ain't Me Girl' (1983), but Clark was subsequently signed to RAK Records as a solo artist and while with RAK he released his second and third singles 'I Don't Want You' (1984) and 'Things Can't Get Any Worse' (1985). The single were produced by Mickie Most, who had previously produced bands such as The Animals and Hot Chocolate. In 1986, Clark formed the band Johnny Hates Jazz with Calvin Hayes and Mike Nocito and they released their first single 'Me And My Foolish Heart'. But it was not until a move from RAK Records to Virgin Records - and the single 'Shattered Dreams' - that Clark gained the success and recognition as a singer/songwriter that he had been working for the last half-decade. The song soared up the UK charts, reaching No. 5 (1987), and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA (1988). It was a big hit across Europe and also made No. 2 in Japan. The black and white video (the USA variant) was directed by David Fincher. The next single, an anti-war anthem titled 'I Don't Want To Be A Hero', made No. 11 (1987) in the UK, cementing the success of Johnny Hates Jazz and solidifying Clark's talent as a songwriter. The record made No. 31 in the States and would have likely climbed higher if the record company had not been concerned about the ant-war lyrics, written in the first person narrative, and conveyed from the viewpoint of a soldier who does not want to be a part of an unjust war. 'Turn Back The Clock' (1987) was the third successive hit for Johnny Hates Jazz and featured the backing vocals of Kim Wilde. The song - and video - are reminiscent of the Stephen King novella and film Stand by Me (1986). This wistful ballad, that tells of the happy and occasionally sad aspects of childhood, reached No. 12 in the UK. 1988 and the first Johnny Hates Jazz album appeared: 'Turn Back the Clock'. It went straight to No. 1 in the UK and was a further hit on the other side of the Lake. The album went Double Platinum and spawned the top-twenty single 'Heart of Gold' (No. 19) and the band's final hit 'Don't Say It's Love' (which peaked at No. 48 in the UK). Clark would leave Johnny Hates Jazz in 1988, when the band were at their most successful, and be replaced by Phil Thornalley. Clark again embarked upon a solo career, moving to Amsterdam, where he began working on the album 'Raindance' (1990). Two singles - 'Crown of Thorns' and 'Raindance' - were released in 1990 before Clark began work on his second album 'Fishing for Souls' (1992). The latter album has since been re-released on Clark's own record label, InterAction Music (2010). The single 'The Last Emotion' was also released in 1992. Singer, songwriter, and record producer, Clark is also a proficient multi-instrumentalist. He plays bass, guitar, drums and percussion, keyboards and piano, and the bouzouki. His music from the 'Raindance' album onwards has conveyed a strong environmental theme, and maintains the lyrical depth (missed by critics; but not fans) that is evident in the Johnny Hates Jazz songs and those written before. He mixes folk and contemporary instruments in order to achieve his own unique sound. His album 'Tomorrow' was released through InterAction Music in 2007 and featured the talents of drummer Phil Gould, of Level 42, and David Rhodes (the guitarist for Peter Gabriel. Other musicians include Hugh Marsh (fiddle), Phil Beer (mandolin), and Joji Hirota (shakuhachi). A new version of 'Shattered Dreams' is included on the album. 'Tommorow' has been recently digitally remastered and re-released (2009) by Stephen W Taylor who also re-worked 'Fishing for Souls'). 'Tommorow' is dedicated to keeping the planet safe. Clark's father was Fred Datchler, singer and saxophonist of jazz bands The Polkadots and The Stargazers, the latter achieving two number one singles during the 1950s, 'Broken Wings' and 'I See The Moon', and a third number one with Dickie Valentine called 'Finger of Suspicion'. Fred also provided backing vocals for The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. Clark, Calvin and Mike reformed the original Johnny Hates Jazz in 2009 and began touring Europe. They are working on a new album and plan to release it in 2011 and follow it up with a UK tour. Clark is an authority on the Philosophy of Indigenous Peoples and a member of the Green Party.