Afraid of Mice

Afraid of Mice was an English new wave band from Liverpool that released a self-titled album and five singles in 1981/82 on Charisma.

Members: Philip Franz Jones (vocals, saxophone, flute, keyboards), Geoff Kelly (bass, vocals), Clive Gee (drums), Ronnie Stone (guitar, 1979-80), Rod Gilliard (guitar, 1980-81), Sam Brew (guitar, vocals, 1981-?), Mark Singleton (keyboards, guitar, 1984-?), Peter Leay (guitar), Nick Murphy (keyboards)

Background

Afraid of Mice formed in Liverpool in 1979 when singer and multi-instrumentalist Philip Franz Jones and bassist Geoff Kelly regrouped after Next with drummer Clive Gee; guitarist Ronnie Stone completed the first lineup.

Jones played in Liverpool groups from his school years, then moved through Skyfall into Next, where Kelly joined after a spell in Strange Band. Stone played with Kelly in Strange Band before Next. Guitarist Roddie Gilliard replaced Stone after work with The Mutants and Fragments.

The group used Beano & The Press before a brief phase as The Jones. The Press recorded original Jones songs as demos and played around Cantril Farm and Huyton before moving into central Liverpool clubs.

Afraid of Mice appeared on the 1980 Skeleton Records compilation A Trip to the Dentist with the Press demos “Transparents” and “I’m Not a Fighter,” which brought the group to Charisma. Guitarist Sam Brew replaced Gilliard in 1981 after a Visual Aid performance at Brady’s. Afraid of Mice signed a long-term Charisma contract that spring and started work on the debut album with Bowie producer Tony Visconti.

Discography:

• Afraid of Mice (1981)

Discography:

• “I’m on Fire” / “Down in the Dark” (1981)
• “Intercontinental” / “What Shall We Do” (1981)
• “Pop Star” / “What I Want” (1981)
• “At the Club” / “I Will Wait” (1982)
• “Transparent” / “That’s Not True” (1982)