Deaf School formed in 1976 as an Art Rock Band. The members all students at Liverpool Art School, based in the Hannerman Building, a former ear, nose and throat hospital that treated amongst other ailments hearing problems. Hence the band name Deaf School.
The group was lead by Steve Allan (Enrico Cadillac) on vocals; Bette Bright on vocals; Clive Langer on Guitar and Piano; Max Ripple on Keyboards and accordion; Steve Lindsey on bass Piano and Vocals; Timothy Whittaker on Drums; Ian Ritchie on saxaphone; Erick Shark on vocals and Paul Pilnick on guitar, accordion, bass and banjo.
Their first album 2nd Honey Moon drew extensively from music hall and fifties musical sources combined with a keen appreciation for Roxy Music. The second album ‘Don’t Stop The world’ retained a harder punk edge to it. With a greater emphasis on guitars and less on the ‘vaudeville sound’ of the first album the group seamed to lose direction, being pulled from their art rock roots to the now emerging New Wave sound.
The final third album, ‘English Boys, Working Girls’ moved more towards the New Wave sound and almost completely lost their original feel. As a result the band perhaps got lost amongst the many other New Wave bands of the time including fellow art school band Yachts.
After the group folded in 1978 various members went on to further their careers in the music business. Bette Bright completed a solo album. Clive Langer went on to produce amongst others Elvis Costello and Dexys Midnight Runners.
A small re-union tour in 1988 gave birth to a brilliant live album ‘2nd Coming: Liverpool '88’. Since then the band have come together occasionally in Liverpool just for fun such as at the opening party of the venue 'The Picket' in 2006. Sanctuary Records released a compilation of the band's 3 studio albums in 2004.
The influence Deaf School had on other artists is being increasingly acknowledged. Without Deaf School there would arguably have been no late 70's Liverpool scene, with no Frankie GTH or Teardrop Explodes, perhaps no Madness and Kevin Rowland admits that Dexy's were hugely influenced by Deaf School. 'something to remember'........