Cornershop re-open in Manchester

CORNERSHOP

MOHO LIVE, Tib Street, Manchester, Monday

Everyone remembers “Brimful of Asha” — the contagious 1997 hit from Leicester groovers Cornershop.

But there’s much more to the band which fuses traditional Indian sounds with British rock and electronic dance.

Cornershop formed in 1991 when Tjinder Singh (singer, songwriter, and dholak player), his brother Avtar Singh (bass guitar, vocals), David Chambers (drums) and Ben Ayres (guitar, keyboards, and tamboura) decided to start writing and making music together.

The name originates from a stereotype referring to British Asians owning corner shops.

The band first tasted fame when they were controversially photographed burning pictures of Manchester music icon Morrissey — following unfounded accusations of his racism.

Debut single “The Days of Ford Cortina” was released on curry-coloured vinyl. Their songs got more political as time went on.

Several line-up changes followed as Cornershop found their feet.

The band shot to stardom 12 years ago thanks to the the tune with that infamous line “everybody needs a bosom for a pillow”.

“Brimful of Asha” was a tribute to prolific Indian singer Asha Bhosle. It was remixed by Fatboy Slim for free.

Follow-up album releases didn’t really have much impact and the Cornershop name slowly fizzled out.

In 2006, they made something of a comeback with single “Wop the Groove” featuring vocals from “X Factor” finalist and former Happy Mondays backing singer Rowetta.

Another break followed before the release of “The Roll Off Characteristics” in May.

New album ‘Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast’ is expected to be released later this summer.