Wang Dang Doodle

As the Nineties progressed, it became clear that the AJB had taken Jug Band music about as far as it could go. Commentators on the Jug scene waited eagerly for the next move, aware that they could only expect the unexpected from a band who had long been at the cutting edge.

So there was obviously one answer - a change of name. Their new incarnation, Wang Dang Doodle (pinched from a Willie Dixon song) was decided upon after much soul searching one Thursday night in the public bar of the Coach at Coleshill.

It was intended to reveal a more mature, thoughtful AJB - one where the madcap, zany image of yesteryear was abandoned as being too frivolous for series practitioners of the blues.

At first, all went well. Audiences listened in respectful silence as the band agonised over weather you were or weren't their baby, and what really went on down in St James Infirmary. They groaned the St Loius Blues like men possessed. It was agreed that the new direction was interesting, even admirable.

But somehow, less fun.

Despite their efforts in attempting to reverse a quarter century of popularity and success, the past would;d not go away. People kept requesting funny hats and parrots toppling off their perch. Occasionally, even the music was mentioned.

Was their attempt to drag Jug into the modern era doomed?

Alas, it would seem so. By summer of 1998, audiences were melting away like snow, and bookings were drying up like water in the desert. The new direction was turning into a blind alley. Fast running out of similes, the band realised something had to be done.

There was obviously only one answer - a change of name. Admitting the experiment had not worked, they reverted to the Armpit Jug Band, to the palpable relief of dozens of fans. Almost immediately, audiences and bookings flooded back, as The Sheik of Araby and Coney Island Washboard were restored to their rightful place in the AJB canon.

The saying " If it ain't broke, don't fix it" uppermost in their minds, the band returned to their old madcap ways, sadder but wiser men. A valuable lesson had been learned.

SOME SELECTED IMAGES FROM THE WILDERNESS YEARS . . .