Thursday, January 4, 2007

PETIT CHEVAL


GENRE: Romantic New Wave

MEMBERS: Jonathan Selby (lead vocals), Sheldon Thomas (keyboards), Johan Griessel (bass guitar), Craig Else (guitars) & Danny De Wet (drums).

DATES: 1985 to around 1987

DISCOGRAPHY: THE VOICE OF REASON (1985) - WEA International (catalogue number WIC 8024), THE PERFECT GIFT (1986) - WEA International (catalogue number WIH 7033), YOUNG LIONS (1995)Tusk Records (catalogue number WOND 127) & ONCE IN A LIFETIME (2006) - Comprises of both the bands albums released by Retrofresh Records (catalogue number Freshcd157) - still available!

SINGLES TO REMEMBER: Once In A Lifetime, Dreams Come True, Love Is Knocking At Your Door & The Voice Of Reason.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
The only member who evolved from Petit Cheval was Danny DeWet who went on to found The Electric Petals, The Louwveld Blues Band and currently plays with Wonderboom. You can get Danny on: danny@sheer.co.za. Jonathan Selby has relocated to Israel. You can listen and buy his tracks at: http://indiestore.7digital.com/jonselby/gallery. There are some great pictures of John in Israel so check it out (he hasnt changed much except for the moustache). In 2002 Craig Else played with Robbi Robb in Tribe After Tribe in the USA. I recently got an email from Craig. Contary to the liner notes of a recent Petit Cheval compilation, he has not fallen off the edge of the earth but lives in Los Angeles, California. His email address is: craigelse@ca.rr.com.

11 comments:

Brian Currin said...

Actually the Petit Cheval CD released by RetroFresh is not just a greatest hits compilation but a complete retrospective of the 2 albums they released plus their debut single.

Brian Currin said...

Jonathan Selby lives in Somerset West and owns and runs The Graphic Shop - a branding and design company.

Ian MacFarlane said...

Petit Cheval will always remain one of my most favourite local bands. It was incredible to watch them live and witness dandy Jonathan Selby's captivating energy and stage antics. One time in East London he wanted to start his set with a bunch of roses. So off Robbie Mann their promoter and I went to find him flowers. We couldnt find any at that time East London been the dump that it is so we stole some from one of the parks. When we got back we told Jonathan that we got them from a graveyard and he refused point blank to use them and wouldnt hear anything further about the subject.

Anonymous said...

Sheldon Thomas lives in Cape Town.

Anonymous said...

Is he still involved musically? What has he (Sheldon) done since Petit Cheval?

Ian MacFarlane said...

Craig Else embarks on a short tour of the US with The Bay City Rollers this week. Also on the bill at different times is Merrill Osmond, Leif Garrett, The Guess Who, The Cowsills, Barry Williams (Greg Brady), Danny Bonaduce (Danny Partridge) Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods ("Billy Don't Be a Hero") and Tony DeFranco. Like Craig says, 'It's a groovy 70's shindig man'.

Anonymous said...

Where can I get hold of the song "Once in a Lifetime" of Petit Cheval????? Is there a shop, contact person, or somebody out there that I can contact to get my hands on a copy?? A friend of mine have been hunting for the album for the past 5 years!!!! Please help with the big hunt.

Anonymous said...

Whats your postal address?

Unknown said...

I used to know Sheldon Thomas! - I had forgotten about them - once they were having a show at the Feathermarket Hall in PE and I was in the sea swimming and we all met and my dad ended up giving them a lift - I think they had lost their transport or something - from then on Sheldon often used to pick me up when they played in PE...it was cool looking at the pictures!! I live in Oxford now but this website brought a smile to my face. I will never forget Jonathan saying something about a Dear John letter...
Melissa Howard

John Matias said...

HI,

I was wondering if someone can help me out.
There are three songs I've been looking for, cant seem to find them anywhere
Petit Cheval, Once in a lifetime
John Ireland I Like
John Ireland She speaks to me

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
John

Ian MacFarlane said...

John - whats your email address?