In the British summer of '83, two years since the riots in Brixton and Toxteth and a few months before striking miners would be ploughed into the fields around Orgrave Colliery, The Balham Alligators were born. 

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An often beer-drenched law unto themselves, beautiful losers in an ugly, contrary and irascible way, their anarchic story covers a period spanning thirteen years of peerless performances, personnel changes, death, notoriety and legend.

The band came together by chance at a London pub in 1983, and the original line-up consisted of Geraint Watkins, Robin McKidd, Kieran O'Connor, Arthur Kitchener, and Gary Rickard.  They played a hybrid blend of musical styles, including Rock 'n' Roll, Blues, R&B, Celtic Folk, Swamp-Pop, Country, Swing, Cajun & Zydeco.

They had a fearsome reputation on and off stage on the London R&B circuit and festivals like Cambridge and Glastonbury; and by the latter half of 1995 had completed the recording of their third album, "Gateway to The South," before finally packing it in and going their separate ways.

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Some of the best of their studio and live recordings  have been gathered into this double album CD anthology which comes complete with a 16-page fully illustrated booklet. 

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 THE BALHAM ALLIGATORS WERE:

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GERAINT WATKINS  - vocals, keyboards, accordion
ROBIN MCKIDD (d. 2015) - fiddle, guitar, vocals
GARY RICKARD (d. 2010) -  guitar, vocals
PETE DENNIS  - bass
ARTHUR KITCHENER - bass
PAUL RILEY - bass
KIERAN O’ CONNOR (d. 1991) - drums, percussion
BOBBY IRWIN (d. 2015)  - drums, percussion

GATOR AID on “Gateway to The South” was provided by:

RON KAVANA  - guitar, harmonica, mandolin, percussion
BILL KIRCHEN - guitar, trombone
STEVE DONNELLY - guitar
PETE THOMAS  - drums
NICK PENTELOW  -  baritone sax, clarinet
MARTIN BELMONT  - acoustic guitar
THE PANIC BROTHERS  - vocals