Album Information:

About The Kinks:

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, London in 1964. The band consisted of brothers Ray and Dave Davies, Pete Quaife and Mick Avory. They were one of the most influential bands of the 1960s and their music has had a lasting impact on the world of rock.

The Kinks' early music was heavily influenced by American R&B and blues, but they soon developed their own unique sound, blending rock and roll with elements of British music hall and folk. Their lyrics often dealt with working-class life in England, as well as social and political issues.

Their breakthrough came with the release of their third single, 'You Really Got Me,' in 1964. The song, which featured a distorted guitar riff, was a massive hit and helped to define the sound of British rock in the 1960s. The band went on to have a string of hits throughout the 1960s, including 'All Day and All of the Night,' 'Tired of Waiting for You,' and 'Sunny Afternoon.'

In addition to their commercial success, The Kinks were also known for their controversial stage antics and their battles with the music industry. In 1965, they were banned from touring the United States for four years after getting into a fight with a union official.

The band continued to evolve throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with Ray Davies becoming more involved in songwriting and Dave Davies experimenting with different musical styles. They released a number of critically acclaimed albums during this period, including Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Preservation Act 1, and Misfits.

Despite their success, The Kinks experienced frequent lineup changes throughout their career and officially disbanded in 1996. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and their influence can still be heard in the music of countless artists today.

About the album Schoolboys In Disgrace:

The Kinks' 11th studio album, Schoolboys In Disgrace, was released in 1975. The concept album tells the story of a fictional character named 'Mr. Flash' who is a schoolteacher that becomes disillusioned with the education system and turns to a life of rock and roll rebellion.

The opening track, 'Schooldays,' sets the tone with its upbeat, catchy melody and lyrics that nostalgic about the joys and sorrows of childhood. This theme continues with 'Jack The Idiot Dunce,' a bittersweet song about struggling with learning difficulties and feeling isolated from your peers.

The album then takes a darker turn with 'Education,' a scathing critique of the rigid, stifling nature of the traditional education system. The song features heavy drums, distorted guitars, and Ray Davies' snarling vocals as he sings lines like 'Education is sparta, better to be an alpha than to be a beta.'

The album's title track is a jaunty, piano-driven tune that tells the story of Mr. Flash's transformation from buttoned-up schoolteacher to leather-clad rocker. Other standout tracks include 'The First Time We Fall In Love,' a tender ballad that showcases Davies' songwriting prowess, and 'No More Looking Back,' a raw, energetic track that captures the rebellious spirit of youth.

Overall, Schoolboys In Disgrace is a unique and entertaining entry in The Kinks' discography. It's an album that's both nostalgic and rebellious, with a sense of humor and a healthy dose of social commentary.

Members:

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, London in 1964. The band's original members included:

1. Ray Davies - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Songwriter

Ray Davies was born on June 21, 1944, in London, England. He was the lead vocalist and principal songwriter for The Kinks. Davies was known for his distinctive voice and his ability to write catchy melodies and wry lyrics. He was also a talented guitarist and incorporated a variety of musical styles into The Kinks' sound. Davies was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

2. Dave Davies - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

Dave Davies was born on February 3, 1947, in London, England. He was The Kinks' lead guitarist and provided backing vocals. Davies was known for his innovative guitar playing and his use of distortion and feedback, which would later influence many other guitarists. He also contributed several popular songs to The Kinks' repertoire, including 'Death of a Clown' and 'Living on a Thin Line'.

3. Pete Quaife - Bass Guitar

Pete Quaife was born on December 31, 1943, in Tavistock, Devon, England. He was The Kinks' original bass guitarist and played on the band's first six albums. Quaife was known for his solid, melodic bass lines and his harmony vocals. He left the band in 1969 to pursue other interests.

4. Mick Avory - Drums, Percussion

Mick Avory was born on February 15, 1944, in Hampstead, London, England. He was The Kinks' drummer and percussionist from 1964 to 1984. Avory was known for his straightforward, no-nonsense drumming style, which provided a steady foundation for the band's songs. He left the band in 1984 but continued to work as a session musician.

There were other members who joined and left the band over the years, but these four members are considered the key members of The Kinks.

Track List for Schoolboys In Disgrace:

Sure, here's the tracklist for 'Schoolboys in Disgrace' by The Kinks, along with the playtime and a description of each track:

1. 'Schooldays' (3:32) - A nostalgic track that reminisces about the glory days of being a schoolboy, with a touch of sadness and longing.

2. 'Jack the Idiot Dunce' (3:18) - A rocker about a rebellious schoolboy who refuses to conform to authority and is labeled as a troublemaker.

3. 'Education' (7:07) - A theatrical piece that explores the concept of education and its effects on young minds.

4. 'The First Time We Fall in Love' (4:01) - A ballad about the innocence and excitement of falling in love for the first time.

5. 'I'm in Disgrace' (3:23) - A confessional song about a schoolboy who has done something wrong and feels ashamed.

6. 'Headmaster' (4:05) - A character study of a strict and authoritarian headmaster who rules over the school with an iron fist.

7. 'The Hard Way' (2:36) - A hard-hitting rocker that celebrates the tough, no-nonsense approach of the schoolyard.

8. 'The Last Assembly' (2:47) - A poignant and bittersweet track that captures the sadness and uncertainty of leaving school and venturing out into the world.

9. 'No More Looking Back' (4:29) - A reflective song about letting go of the past and embracing the future, with a nod to the nostalgia of schooldays.

10. 'Finale' (1:05) - A short instrumental piece that brings the album to a triumphant close.

Overall, 'Schoolboys in Disgrace' is a concept album that tells the story of a group of rebellious schoolboys and their struggles to navigate the harsh world of education and authority. The music ranges from nostalgic and sentimental to hard-hitting and rebellious, capturing the ups and downs of the schoolboy experience in all its glory.

Discography for The Kinks:

Here is a complete discography for The Kinks in chronological order:

Albums:
1. Kinks (1964)
2. Kinda Kinks (1965)
3. The Kink Kontroversy (1965)
4. Face to Face (1966)
5. Something Else by The Kinks (1967)
6. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
7. Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
8. Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (1970)
9. Muswell Hillbillies (1971)
10. Everybody's in Show-Biz (1972)
11. Preservation Act 1 (1973)
12. Preservation Act 2 (1974)
13. Soap Opera (1975)
14. Schoolboys in Disgrace (1976)
15. Sleepwalker (1977)
16. Misfits (1978)
17. Low Budget (1979)
18. Give the People What They Want (1981)
19. State of Confusion (1983)
20. Word of Mouth (1984)
21. Think Visual (1986)
22. UK Jive (1989)
23. Phobia (1993)

Singles:
1. 'Long Tall Sally' / 'I Took My Baby Home' (1964)
2. 'You Still Want Me' / 'You Do Something to Me' (1964)
3. 'Tired of Waiting for You' / 'Come On Now' (1965)
4. 'Everybody's Gonna Be Happy' / 'Who'll Be the Next in Line' (1965)
5. 'Set Me Free' / 'I Need You' (1965)
6. 'See My Friends' / 'Never Met a Girl Like You Before' (1965)
7. 'Till the End of the Day' / 'Where Have All the Good Times Gone' (1965)
8. 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' / 'Sittin' on My Sofa' (1966)
9. 'Dead End Street' / 'Big Black Smoke' (1966)
10. 'Autumn Almanac' / 'Mister Pleasant' (1967)
11. 'Wonder Boy' / 'Polly' (1967)
12. 'Days' / 'She's Got Everything' (1968)
13. 'Starstruck' / 'Picture Book' (1968)
14. 'The Village Green Preservation Society' / 'Do You Remember Walter?' (1968)
15. 'Plastic Man' / 'King Kong' (1969)
16. 'Drivin' / 'Mindless Child of Motherhood' (1969)
17. 'Shangri-La' / 'This Man He Weeps Tonight' (1969)
18. 'Lola' / 'Berkeley Mews' (1970)
19. 'Apeman' / 'Rats' (1970)
20. 'God's Children' / 'The Way Love Used to Be' (1971)
21. 'Supersonic Rocket Ship' / 'The Light' (1972)
22. 'Celluloid Heroes' / 'Hot Potatoes' (1972)
23. 'One of the Survivors' / 'Cricket' (1974)
24. 'Sleepwalker' / 'Full Moon' (1977)
25. 'Juke Box Music' / 'The Hard Way' (1977)
26. 'A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy' / 'Live Life' (1978)
27. 'Misfits' / 'Black Messiah' (1978)
28. 'Father Christmas' / 'Prince of the Punks' (1978)
29. 'Duke's End' / 'Working at the Factory' (1980)
30. 'Better Things' / 'Massive Reductions' (1981)
31. 'Come Dancing' / 'Noise' (1983)
32. 'Don't Forget to Dance' / 'Once a Thief' (1983)
33. 'Do It Again' / 'War Is Over' (1984)
34. 'How Are You' / 'Noise' (1984)
35. 'War' / 'The Hardway' (1984)
36. 'The Road' / 'The Live Life' (1988)

Other Releases:
1. 'Kinksize Session' (EP, 1964)
2. 'Kwyet Kinks' (EP, 1965)
3. 'The Live Kinks' (EP, 1965)
4. 'Sunny Afternoon' (EP, 1966)
5. 'Dead End Street' (EP, 1966)
6. 'Fancy' (single, 1969)
7. 'Plastic Man (Live)' (single, 1991)