The band has its origins in a
folk-rock duo formed by ex-Junior's Blues Band members
Martin Stone and
Philip C. Lithman. Lithman moved to
San Mateo in 1971 to work with a precursor to
The Residents, leaving Stone to play with
Savoy Brown and
Mighty Baby. The duo reunited in 1972 and recorded
Kings of the Robot Rhythm that same year with vocalist
Jo Ann Kelly and various members of
Brinsley Schwarz. That same year, the duo expanded, adding Paul "Dice Man" Bailey,
Paul "Bassman" Riley, and
Pete Thomas to the line-up. During the next two years, Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers became a popular live act in Britain, and recorded two
John Peel Sessions for
BBC Radio 1, on 9 April 1973 and 25 July 1974. In 1974, they released their final album,
Bongos Over Balham, which sold poorly; the band split in 1975. After the band's breakup, Thomas became the drummer for
Elvis Costello's backing band,
The Attractions; Riley played with
Graham Parker; Bailey joined Buster Crabbe (formerly Bontemps Roulez); and Stone played with the
Pink Fairies, before concentrating on his book business but has since played with
Wreckless Eric. Lithman moved to San Francisco where he began to work with the now fully formed
Residents starting from their third album
Fingerprince, under the name Snakefinger. ==Discography==