Girl -

Girl was an English pop-metal band from London that released the 1980–82 albums Sheer Greed and Wasted Youth on Jet Records. Guitarist Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in time for Pyromania.

Members: Phil Lewis (vocals), Gerry Laffy (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar, 1979-82), Dave Gaynor (drums, 1979-81), Mark Megaray (bass, 1979), Simon Laffy (bass, 1979-82), Pete Barnacle (drums, 1981-82), Pete Bonas (guitar, 1982), Bryson Graham (drums, 1982)

Background

Girl formed in London in 1979 when singer Phil Lewis and guitarist Gerry Laffy expanded a partnership that began through a demo session the previous year. Lewis played a rock-star role in a fringe-theatre production and cut early eight-track demos with London keyboardist John Benson. Benson brought bassist Simon Laffy to one session, where Simon introduced younger brother Gerry to Lewis. Lewis and Gerry began composing together and initially worked as guitarists while they searched for a singer. Lewis moved to lead vocals after the auditions failed to produce a frontman.

Lewis and Gerry placed a Melody Maker advertisement for another guitarist and recruited Phil Collen, who previously recorded two 1977–78 singles with Lucy and also played with Tush and the Dumb Blondes. Early lineups briefly included bassist Mark Megary before Simon Laffy took the bass role. Former Skid Row drummer Dave Gaynor completed the five-piece lineup. Gerry Laffy had taken up guitar around 1975, while Simon started playing music at fourteen and performed in London clubs as a teenager.

Girl rehearsed for roughly six months in London, with sessions at an Old Street warehouse and an unused restaurant at Camden Lock. Lewis and Gerry Laffy developed early songs such as “My Number,” “The Things You Say,” and “Little Miss Ann,” while Collen added material after he entered the lineup. Girl prepared a demo tape, photographs, and a self-financed promotional film for record-company approaches. Promoter Jon Lindsay also worked with the group while seeking acts for a proposed Kit Lambert label and introduced Girl to the Nomis operation of Simon Napier-Bell.

Girl ultimately signed with Don Arden’s Jet Records in 1979. Jet issued “My Number” in October, and Girl played an early concert at London’s Music Machine soon afterward. The group then worked British and European dates with UFO as preparations advanced for the debut album. Girl entered studio sessions with producers Chris Tsangarides and Nick Tauber for Sheer Greed.

Discography: