The Loft (band)
Encyclopedia
The Loft were a British indie
band, whose debut single was one of the earliest releases on Creation Records
.
(vocals, guitar), Bill Prince (bass), Andy Strickland (guitar) and Dave Morgan (drums), the band changed its name when they discovered a local music venue also called The Living Room. The venue was being run by Alan McGee
, with whom The Loft struck up a friendship and played several gigs for. After signing to McGee's fledgling Creation Records
label, the debut single "Why Does the Rain?" was issued in 1984. "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" was issued the following year, earning both band and label some critical success.
A national tour as the opening act for The Colourfield
was intended to give the band further exposure, but tensions within the band led to a sensational split live onstage of the Hammersmith Palais
, on the final date of the tour.
and Dave Morgan formed a new band, The Weather Prophets
, who were also signed to Creation
. In 1989, Creation finally issued a compilation of their work entitled Once Around the Fair: The Loft 1982-1985, with Magpie Eyes 1982-1985 appearing on Rev-Ola
in 2005. Guitarist Strickland formed The Caretaker Race
, and Prince formed The Wishing Stones.
In 2006, the band unexpectedly reformed, playing a handful of gigs and releasing a single of new material on Static Caravan Recordings
.
Indie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
band, whose debut single was one of the earliest releases on Creation Records
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
.
History
Formed in 1980 as The Living Room by Peter AstorPeter Astor
Pete Astor is a British songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets and Ellis Island Sound.- History :...
(vocals, guitar), Bill Prince (bass), Andy Strickland (guitar) and Dave Morgan (drums), the band changed its name when they discovered a local music venue also called The Living Room. The venue was being run by Alan McGee
Alan McGee
Alan McGee has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for The Guardian.McGee is best-known for co-forming and running the independent Creation Records label from 1983–1999, and then Poptones from 1999-2007...
, with whom The Loft struck up a friendship and played several gigs for. After signing to McGee's fledgling Creation Records
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
label, the debut single "Why Does the Rain?" was issued in 1984. "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" was issued the following year, earning both band and label some critical success.
A national tour as the opening act for The Colourfield
The Colourfield
The Colourfield were a British band formed in 1984 in Manchester, when former Specials and Fun Boy Three frontman, Terry Hall, joined up with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale...
was intended to give the band further exposure, but tensions within the band led to a sensational split live onstage of the Hammersmith Palais
Hammersmith Palais
The Hammersmith Palais de Danse, later simply the Hammersmith Palais, was a ballroom and entertainment venue in London that operated from 1919 until 2007...
, on the final date of the tour.
After the split
Almost immediately, Peter AstorPeter Astor
Pete Astor is a British songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets and Ellis Island Sound.- History :...
and Dave Morgan formed a new band, The Weather Prophets
The Weather Prophets
The Weather Prophets were a British indie band formed in London in 1986 after the break-up of The Loft. After two studio albums, the band split up, with singer Peter Astor going on to a solo career.- History :...
, who were also signed to Creation
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
. In 1989, Creation finally issued a compilation of their work entitled Once Around the Fair: The Loft 1982-1985, with Magpie Eyes 1982-1985 appearing on Rev-Ola
Rev-Ola Records
Rev-Ola Records is a UK record label formed in 1988 that specializes in reissues, as well as select new releases. The label is headed by Joe Foster, a former child actor and musician/producer...
in 2005. Guitarist Strickland formed The Caretaker Race
The Caretaker Race
The Caretaker Race were an indie pop band formed in East London in 1986 when singer/guitarist Andy Strickland left The Loft. Strickland recruited Dave Mew , Henry Hersom , and Sally Ward . The band's name came from a Star Trek paperback adventure...
, and Prince formed The Wishing Stones.
In 2006, the band unexpectedly reformed, playing a handful of gigs and releasing a single of new material on Static Caravan Recordings
Static Caravan Recordings
Static Caravan Recordings is an independent record label, whose discography includes releases by Darren Hayman, The Hornblower Brothers, Shady Bard, The Yellow Moon Band, Tunng, Peter Astor, Magnetophone, Fieldhead and Serafina Steer....
.
Singles
- "Why Does the Rain?" (Creation, 1984)
- "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" (Creation, 1985)
- "Model Village" (Static Caravan, 2006)
Compilation albums
- Once Around the Fair: The Loft 1982-1985 (Creation, 1989)
- Magpie Eyes 1982-1985 (Rev-Ola, 2005)