B.Troop -

B.Troop was an English new wave band from Doncaster that cut two singles (“Junior,” “Computer Logic”) and the 1981 electro-pop album Europeans. Three members cut two further singles as Time in Motion. Keyboardist Kevin Donoghue (ex-2.3) made another album with Native Europe.

Members: Andy Booth (guitar, vocals), Kevin Donoghue (synthesizer, vocals), John Leek (bass), Peter Wainwright (saxophone, vocals)

Formation

B.Troop formed in 1980 in Doncaster*, South Yorkshire, where keyboardist/singer Kevin Donoghue teamed with guitarist Andy Booth, bassist John Leek, and saxophonist Peter Wainwright. (*Some sources say Sheffield, 23 miles southwest).

On DIY Hotshot Records, they debuted with “Junior,” a Donoghue original backed with “Espionage A Go Go,” a Leek co-write.

B.Troop linked with Illuminated Records, a London-based indie for post-punk talent (The Modernaires, Normil Hawaiians, Spöön Fazer).

Europeans

B.Troop released their singular album, Europeans, in 1981 on Illuminated Records.

Europeans contains “Espionage A Gogo” (respelled) and eleven fresh Donoghue originals, including the single sides “Computer Logic” and “Emotional Assassin.” Drummer Steve Coe plays on “Espionage,” “Assassin,” and the deep-cut “Yvette.”

According to the liner notes, the songs represent “excerpts from a proposed documentary about the life and times of a young computer programmer.”

A1. “Not Coming Back”
A2. “Europe”
A3. “New Human”
A4. “Fade Away”
A5. “Emotional Assassin”
A6. “Satellites”
B1. “Computer Logic”
B2. “Strange Time”
B3. “Yvette”
B4. “Just Because”
B5. “Espionage A Gogo”
B6. “Killing Conversation”

Sessions occurred at Fairview Music in Hull, where musician/soundman Roy Neave produced Europeans between NWOBHM albums by Saracen and Gaskin.

Illuminated issued Europeans (JAMS 6) between titles by I’m So Hollow (Emotion / Sound / Motion, JAMS 5) and Worldbackwards (Flesh, JAMS 9). “Computer Logic” appeared as a 7″ on camouflage green vinyl (b/w “Emotional Assassin”).

Time In Motion Singles

In 1982, Donoghue, Leek, and Wainwright continued as Time In Motion. They cut two singles with producer Robert Worby at Jacob’s Studios in Farnham, Surrey, for Red Rhino Records, a York-based indie. The second features Bill Nelson‘s younger brother, saxist Ian Nelson (Red Noise, Fiat Lux).

RED 13 | July 1982
A. “Quiet Type”
B. “Stay With You”

Graphics by Skylight from Leeds.

RED 19
A. “I Want to Be Your Telephone”
B. “Exchange (A Dance Mix)”

Fender bass, electronic percussion – John Leek
Moog and Prophet synthesizer, tenor saxophone – Peter Wainwright
Yamaha and Roland Jumo 60 synthesizers, vocals – Kevin Donoghue
Alto saxophone – Ian Nelson

Discography: