Jo Wells, aged 23, wanted to succeed musically ever since she can remember. The wait could be over. The
classically trained lady
from Salford who was educated at Chethams School Of Music is now one of the seven members of Kissing The Pink.
Five of the group, including Jo, have classical training and a heap of degrees and certificates between them, but the music is a
marriage of styles and idioms. Many see them as the promising outfit on the current music scene.
Their first single is just out on Magnet, with the main side of a rhythmic compulsive number Mr Blunt, while the flip is a floating
spacey number with hints of techno rock entitled Water In My Eye.
Jo - among other things - plays sax. In her disarming way she says "It's not a pop instrument at music school." The lady's sax
ability is evident on the single's flip side where she displays a jazzy flavour - and indeed she is an avid listener to jazz
giants, like Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan and John Coltrane.
She seems in high heaven, a head packed with ideas and a group to make reality cut of dreams. Jo says: "I've waited some time for
this kind of group. And I'm prepared to see the band as a long-term project, may be a two-year wait for the hit album or single,
but if the success comes early - then OK."
"I've high hopes for the future. With my musical background and the other members I think it means we can remove ourselves from the
obvious."
Her own ability has been recognized for some time. She worked with one-time Skids man Richard Jobson and has helped Roger Daltrey
on his solo work.
For quite a while Kissing The Pink have been chased by the record people. Magnet apparently have come up with the best deal and
there's a five year contract and the necessary finance. Previous to this the group issued their own single, Don't Hide In The Shadows, with production from Factory wizard Martin Hannett.
"We've got long-term cover," says Jo, and she finds it comforting. She feels the company recognises the musical ability of the
band.
"One thing I'm waiting for is a gig back home. Salford University would be a good night out. UMIST is another good place. I just
want to do those places. My family still lives in Manchester, though many of my friends have moved down South."
Jo (in birth certificate terms it's Josephine Theresa Wells) along with Pete Stewart, John Hall, Nick Whitecross, Sylvia Griffin,
Peter Barnett and Steve Cusack the drummer give no descriptive term to
their music but they insist it comes before image. They feel the present scene has bands who look visually exciting but whose
musical ability is low. Kissing The Pink say they have the musical good, but Jo does add" "I've got lots of ideas for video. Our
music seems right for it. Music and video come together."
To be blunt Kissing The Pink could be the next big thing, now that the ABCs of this world have become established. Jo is rooting
for it.