History
In 1981, 10cc were working on what would become their album Ten Out of 10. Andrew Gold was invited to record with the band by Lenny Waronker, head of A&R at Warner Bros. It lead to an offer to join the band – an offer Gold declined because of other commitments. [1]
After 10cc split in 1983, Gouldman persuaded Gold to return to England to write and spent some time together. He ended up staying for seven months. During this period they wrote enough songs for an album. They chose World In Action as the band name and released a single "Don't Break My Heart". Soon afterwards they changed the name to Common Knowledge. A second single "Victoria" was released, but both singles failed to get any attention and the album was shelved.[2]
They started working on songs for a new album, changed labels, and took the name Wax. Wax released three studio albums between 1986 and 1989. Their only British hit was "Bridge to your heart" which reached no.12 in the Autumn of 1987. A Top of the pops appearance and a tour followed. The duo were about to split in 1990 when Graham was offered the chance to reform 10cc with Eric Stewart. Andrew appeared on the comeback album ...Meanwhile playing guitar on "Charity begins at home" and sang lead vocal on "Ready to go home" from 10cc's last album Mirror mirror, which he had intended to be a guide vocal only - but Eric liked what he had done with the track and his vocals remained.
In 1998 their Common Knowledge album was finally released as common knowledge.com with four new tracks under the Wax name. A collection of out-takes and rarities, Wax Bikini was released in 2000 through Gold's website. Gold and Gouldman continued to work together on projects.
Discography
Singles
- "Don't Break My Heart (World in Action)" (1984)
- "Victoria" (Common Knowledge)" (1985)
- "Ball And Chain" (1985)
- "Shadows of Love"(1986)
- "Right Between the Eyes" (1986) U.S. #43, UK #60
- "In Some Other World" (1986)
- "Bridge to Your Heart" (1987) UK #12
- "American English" (1987)
- "Wherever You are" (1989)
- "Anchors Aweigh" (1989) UK #95
Albums
- Magnetic Heaven (1986) U.S. #101
- American English (1987) UK #59
- A Hundred Thousand in Fresh Notes (1989)
- The Wax Files (1997), (compilation/unreleased material) released as by Andrew Gold & Graham Gouldman[3]
- common knowledge.com (1998)
- Wax Bikini (2000)
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