Formed in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, this trio, comprising Ed Borrie (vocals/guitar), Rob Hague (drums) and Salvador Alessi (bass), actually dates back to 1984, when the UK miners' strike was in progress and irrevocably altered Ed and Sal's political ideals (although both were still schoolboys). Recruiting Rob from a nearby squat, Sal moved over from singing to playing bass when the original bass player failed to turn up for rehearsals. To this day Sal still plays the instrument "wrong side up". Their first gig did not take place until early 1992, and by the following year the New Musical Express had decided they sounded like "the Stone Roses on PCP', while two singles, "Real Surreal"/"Drugs Again" and "Shame"/"Lady Love Your Cunt" were released on their own Le Disques De Popcor Records. The second single was Single Of The Week in both the NME and Melody Maker. Its b-side was a repetition of Germaine Greer's celebrated feminist remark. Showcases such as the 100 Club's New Art Riot gig in December 1993 and the NME's On Into 94 event placed them within the New Wave Of The New Wave movement, a description that the band considered "bollocks". In truth, their reputation was built on tireless touring, and their popularity was enhanced by a cheap entry price policy.