Sometimes good guys don't follow trends
Sounds May 20 1978

THE BISHOPS 'Live!' (Chiswick CH7)**** This album was recorded live at the Roundhouse in February and it is very, very good. A matter of fact and a matter of opinion. But I'll try to justify the latter because it seems to me important that efforts like this are not trampled on in the rush for new product, new cults. The (Count) Bishops were never cultist, for which they should be heartily relieved. But although it's not a matter for frivolous ephemera, there is a kind of flourishing r'n'b scene at the moment. Take the critical reaction to the George Thorogood and the Destroyers album for example; or the storm that Wilko Johnson is currently blowing around the nation; or the superb and ever-ascendant Blast Furnace. There are quite a few links personnel and personality-wise between the latter two and the Bishops and it was fitting that all three played on the bill when this was recorded. Fond memories, yes, but theres nothing here that doesn't stand up quite independantly. Thanks to the production it doesn't sound abnormally live (as some of them tend to) so you can actually hear whats going on. Which is this: an assortment of their best stage material that somehow achieves variety although it's mostly played at a quite startling pace. Two of the songs, those by guitarist Zenon de Fleur, slow things down a bit and are in some ways the most distinctive - 'Train Train' (Elvis circa Sun) and 'Baby You're Wrong' which is a quality pop tune. Having classed them roughly as r'n'b, I should qualify that by saying that the Bishops have wandered far from the Blast Furnace - Wilko weave. They do 'Don't Start Me Talking', but apart from that, most of the material is either their own or drawn from more contemporary sources. (A minor quibble is that more originals would have been welcome) The Standells' 'Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White' is as timeless as they are; The Strangeloves (I Want) Candy is one they have played since way back. And then overtures to rock'n'roll with Fleetwood Macs' 'Someone's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight'...all these work very well. But the policy for picking up on other material flops with 'Till The End of The Day', not the most inspiring Kinks song, and in this context a trifle redundant. Singer Dave Tice goes at everything with the same headlong charge. How do you describe a vocalist? This one's gruff, if that means anything, and fairly limited. But since hard rock is mostly what the Bishops are about, at least on this album, his style is well-suited especially on his own songs like 'Too Much Too Soon'. I must admit to jumping around the room to this on first and subsequent hearings. Hours of fun! After '(I Want) Candy' finishes too abruptly, you simply turn over and start again....
- Lindsey Boyd.

The Bishops: 'Live'(Chiswick CH7)
Record Mirror May '78

ALBUMS - +++++ Unbeatable ++++ Buy It +++ Give It A Spin ++ Give It A Miss + Unbearable

IT WAS as I remembered...an eyes-down, straight ahead evening of rock'n'roll, rhythm and blues, back in February at The Roundhouse. A night when The Bishops, or The Count Bishops as they were then known, played a long blistering set, with the whole house on its feet and were brought back for two more encores....and they were only a support band!!! Their music is timeless, a continuation from the 50's and 60's into the 70's. Some of the songs, 'Train Train' and 'Baby You're Wrong' for instance have already surfaced upon vinyl 45s. But old or new, The Bishops attack each number with the ferocity and verve of a jealous tigress, quick, viscious and perfectly timed. Another plus is that you won't have to break the bank to get it, it's a snip at UK2.50 (don't ask me why) and comes in both 10" and 12" versions. Marketing bulletin over. A truly live, Live album.
++++ Kelly Pike.

Chess Without Chips
NME 27/5/78

THE BISHOPS The Bishops Live! (Chiswick) FROM THE best-looking rock band this side of The Motors....The Bishops particular variety of rowdy, rumbustious R&B has always functioned best live, which is why this album cuts their studio elpee to shreds fairly effortlessly. About three-quarters of the material has shown up on previous Bishops recordings ("Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White", "I Need You", "Baby You're Wrong", "Takin' It Easy" and the sublime "Train Train") but all of 'em with the possible exception of "Train" sound a lot better here. The whole things topped off with a couple of comparative newies ("I Don't Live It" and "Too Much Too Soon" composed by singer Dave Tice and rhythm guitarist Zenon de Fleur) and a sprinkling of revibes: ("Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In" from the repertoire of, believe it or not, Fleetwood Mac, though it must be said that Mac ain't played that song for a while, Sonny Boy Williamson's "Don't Start Me Talkin'" and the Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" (featuring - gulp - a drum solo). Right now, the Bishops have a single - a revival of Sam and Dave's classic "I Take What I Want" on Radio 1's playlist, plus another studio album lined up and ready for Chiswick to disgorge upon a suspecting public. If the world is once again ready for an enthusiastic and finely crafted brew of tough- guy pop and drunken R&B, then they might as well get it from The Bishops as from anybody else, because in the two or three years that they've been going they've waved the flag for their kind of music as hard as anybody against both apathy and more restrictive types of New Wave mentality. This album is as convincing a demonstration as could be required. Miss out and it's your loss.
Charles Shaar Murray.

Unknown source

The following performances and workshops have been confirmed for the Brahms Room in the gallery of the National Hall for the period of the British Fair. Friday, August 22 ......6.30pm: THE BISHOPS - presented by Rode, Morris and Co.