Felt

Formed 1979 by Lawrence Hayward who recorded the first single 'Index' on his own and soon dropped his surname in fear of getting associated with another popular Hayward who isn't fully named here out of respect.  The first string of releases through Cherry Red Records featured soundscapes dominated by the playing of classically trained guitarist Maurice Deebank and audible influences by Television, Subway Sect and the Velvet Underground. For some reason despite critical acclaim and a #1 indie single ('Primitive Painters') they never made it big but even were denied major support from Wea Records (through Blanco Y Negro).  After Deebank left in 1986 they signed to Creation Records and released Forever Breathes The Lonely Word, arguably one of their highlights and still lauded as one of the decade's best pop albums. Nevertheless it failed to chart and as they were turned down by Wea Records for a 2nd time in 1987 (this time through Wea-Creation joint label Elevation) it got less likely to carry on for much longer. It must have been about then that Lawrence developed his infamous ten albums and ten singles in ten years plan which he actually succeeded at when finally releasing Me And A Monkey On The Moon on Él Records in November 1989.

 

Members: Gary Ainge, John Mohan, Lawrence Hayward, Marco Thomas, Martin Duffy, Maurice Deebank, Mick Bund, Mick Lloyd, Mick Travis, Nick Gilbert, Philip King, Richard Left, Tony Willé