June Brides

British indie pop cult favorites the June Brides were led by singer/guitarist Phil Wilson and guitarist Simon Beesley, London School of Economics classmates who first bonded over their mutual affection for punk. Formed on a lark for entry into a collegiate talent show, the original lineup (dubbed International Rescue) was completed by vocalist Jez Waller, bassist Andy (George) Johnston, and drummer Chris Nineham; after one rehearsal the group made their live debut, winning the battle of the bands competition and a few weeks later making their professional bow opening for the Higsons. Waller and Johnston soon exited, and with new bassist Adrian Carter, the five-piece was soon re-christened the June Brides; in 1983, the band acknowledged their influence to the Velvet Underground by adding a viola player, Frank Sweeney. By the following year, the Junies were a mainstay at Alan McGee's club the Living Room, and that summer signed to the Pink label to issue their debut single, "In the Rain," soon trailed by "Every Conversation." In 1985, the June Brides -- by now consisting of Wilson, Beesley, Carter, Sweeney, trumpeter Jon Hunter, and drummer Dave Bickley -- issued their first full-length LP, There Are Eight Million Stories; the group was briefly the darling of the U.K. music press, but plagued by financial difficulties they managed only one more EP, 1986's This Town, before dissolving. Wilson later recorded as a solo artist for McGee's famed Creation label before retiring from the music business; the June Brides momentarily reunited in 1995 in support of the retrospective For Better or Worse (1983-1986). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide