Soft Cell was an English electro-pop duo from Leeds, composed of singer–lyricist Marc Almond and keyboardist–programmer Dave Ball. They cut multiple singles in advance of their 1981 debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, which spawned the international hit “Tainted Love” and the club staples “Bedsitter” and “Sex Dwarf.” A visual accompaniment to the album, Non-Stop Exotic […]
Gang of Four are an English post-punk band from Leeds that debuted with the 1978 single “Damaged Goods” on small-press Fast Product, followed by Entertainment! on EMI/Warner Bros. Their style — a mix of funky rhythms, dischorded riffs, taut vocals, and provocative lyrics — streamlined over their 1981/82 albums Solid Gold and Songs of the […]
Mandy More (born Sept. 10, 1945) is an English singer/songwriter from Leeds who released the album But That Is Me on Philips in 1972, plus a trio of singles over the subsequent three-year period. Discography: But That Is Me (1972)
Jan Dukes de Grey was an English symphonic-folk/rock combo that released the album Sorcerers on Decca in 1969, followed by the popular Mice and Rats in the Loft on Transatlantic in 1971. After five years of playing under alternate names, group leader Derek Noy recorded an album’s worth of material, later issued on the Cherry […]
The Mission are an English goth-rock band from Leeds that released four albums with accompanying singles on Mercury between 1986 and 1990, followed by three albums on assorted labels during the 1990s and two albums apiece during the subsequent two decades. Stateside, the band were billed in certain media as Mission U.K. Members: Wayne Hussey […]
Vicious Pink were an English electro-pop duo from Leeds consisting of keyboardist Brian Moss and vocalist Josie Warden. Originally dubbed the Vicious Pink Phenomena, the pair released a single apiece on the small-press labels Mobile Suit Corporation and Warehouse circa 1982/83. After shortening their name, the two released a trio of singles on Parlophone between […]
Delta 5 were an English New Wave/art-funk band from Leeds that released three singles on Rough Trade circa 1979/80, followed by the album See the Whirl on Pre in 1981. Members: Bethan Peters (bass, vocals), Ros Allen (bass, vocals), Julz Sale (vocals, guitar, 1978-81), Kelvin Knight (drums, 1979-1981), Alan Riggs (guitar, 1979-81), Jacqui Callis (vocals, […]
Duncan Mackay is an English keyboardist and composer, known for his stints in Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (1975–77), 10cc (1978–81), and for his work on albums by the Alan Parsons Project, Camel, Cliff Richard, Elkie Brooks, and Kate Bush. As a solo artist, he debuted with the 1974 album Chimera on Vertigo. During his time […]
The Mekons were an English post-punk band from Leeds that issued two singles on small-press Fast Product in 1978, followed by the album The Quality of Mercy Is Not Strnen on Virgin in 1979. After a pause in output, a reconstituted lineup issued a run of albums on Sin Record Company and Quarterstick during the […]
Barry Ryan (born Oct. 24, 1948) is an English pop vocalist from Leeds who, in collaboration with his songwriting brother Paul Ryan, issued five albums on MGM and Polydor between 1968 and 1972. Discography: Barry Ryan Sings Paul Ryan (1968) Barry Ryan (1969) Barry Ryan 3 (1970) Red Man (1971) Sanctus, Sanctus Hallelujah (1972)
Michael Chapman (1941–2021) was an English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds who released four albums on Harvest between 1969 and 1971, followed by five albums on Decca, Nova, and Gama between 1973 and 1977. Over the next two decades, he issued eight albums on assorted indie labels. His songs have been covered by Jan & […]
