Abrasive but innovative band who grew in the 1980s from the tiny Ron Johnson label to Ensign Records, after a scorching live appearance on TV show ’The Tube’ made them widely known. Invariably compared to Captain Beefhearts Magic Band, but there is a big dollop of Oirishness in there too.
’Buffalo’ became a big student hit, and is sung at football matches to this day. ’Charlton Heston’ became an unlikely hit in Ibiza, but the Top 40 eluded them and they were soon dropped. Bass player Kevin Hopper continues to make challenging but interesting music.
Lead singer Mick Lynch sadly passed away on 17 December, 2015.