The Woodentops were formed in South London in 1983 with a lineup of Rolo McGinty (vocals, guitar), Simon Mawby (guitar), Alice Thompson (keyboards), Frank DeFreitas (bass guitar), and Benny Staples (drums).

Their debut single, “Plenty” (Food Records) received a rave review from Morrissey in Melody Maker, and led to them being signed to Rough Trade, with whom they released a series of singles, and their 1986 debut album “Giant”. “Giant” reached number 35 on the UK albums chart, and the single “Good Thing” got to number 7 on the UK indie chart.

In ’87, Thompson left and was replaced by Anne Stephenson, and The Woodentops’ second album: “Wooden Foot Cops On The Highway” surfaced the following year, with much more experimental undertones in comparison to their debut, reaching number 1 in the UK Indie chart.

In 2013, the compilation album ” Before During After – Remasters Remixes & Rarities 1982-1992″ was released through One Little Independent.