Yachts

The Yachts were an English new wave band from Liverpool, best known for the 1977 Stiff Records single “Suffice to Say.” They released two albums in 1979–80 on Radar Records and gained notice for their use of advanced word play (“Tantamount to Bribery”) and vintage Farfisa organ.

Original vocalist John Campbell surfaced in It’s Immaterial, which first included Yachts keyboardist Henry Priestman, a later Christians mainstay. The Yachts’ bass slot shifted between Martin Dempsey (Pink Military) and Glyn Havard (Jade Warrior, The Edge).

Members: Henry Priestman (vocals, keyboards), Martin Watson (guitar, vocals), Martin Dempsey (bass, vocals, 1977-79), Bob Bellis (drums, vocals), John J. Campbell (vocals, 1977-78), Ray Cooper [aka Chopper] (bass, 1979-80), Glyn Havard (bass, 1980), Mick Shiner (bass, 1981)

The Yachts formed in April 1977 from the remnants of Albert Dock & The Cod Warriors, a Liverpool R&B group that opened an early northern date by the Sex Pistols.

Discography:

• “Suffice to Say” / “Freedom (Is a Heady Wine)” (1977)
• Yachts (1979)
• Without Radar (1980)

Sources:

• Discogs: The Yachts
• 45cat: The Yachts