Singer/songwriter Vic Godard was born and raised in Bristol, England, fixture at early Sex Pistols performances, at the suggestion of Malcolm McLaren he formed the Subway Sect, Influenced by everything from French pop to Northern Soul to the Velvet Underground to swing, the Subway Sect could barely play their instruments at the outset, but otherwise the group made few concessions to the prevailing punk mentality. In 1980 Godard increasingly began incorporating elements of soul music into his approach . Soon after, the members of Subway Sect left to form their own band, JoBoxers, scoring a pair of hits in 1983 with "Boxer Beat" and "Just Got Lucky”.
Meanwhile, upon signing to Mike Alway's newly-formed Blanco y Negro label Godard next began work on T.R.O.U.B.L.E., recorded at London's Olympic Studios with a number of the area's most respected jazz players; the singer was bitterly disappointed with the end, however, and effectively retired from music, accepting a job as a postman.
Godard did not return to writing and performing until 1990, releasing the Edwyn Collins-produced “End of the Surrey People” three years later, which contains this Won't Turn Back single.
Vic Godard - Won't Turn Back [Postcard 1994]
JoBoxers - Just Got Lucky [7" RCA 1983]
Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You [7" Setanta Records 1994]
The Bureau were a New Wave soul group formed in late 1980 in Birmingham, England when the original lineup of Dexy's Midnight Runners split-up. Ex-Dexy's members Pete Williams (bass), Geoff Blythe (tenor sax), Steve Spooner (alto sax), Stoker (drums), and Mick Talbot (keyboards) were joined by Paul Taylor (trombone), Rob Jones (guitar and trumpet), and Archie Brown (vocals) from a group called The Upset which had supported Dexy's on tour.
The Bureau retained their Dexy's roots and played powerful brass driven sounds. The debut single Only For Sheep was a big hit in Australia but failed to reach the British charts as did the follow up single Let Him Have It. An eponymously titled album was released in 1981, but only in Canada and Australia and the band members went their separate ways soon afterwards.
Talbot went on to enjoy greater success with Paul Weller in The Style Council, while Brown formed Flag with ex-Secret Affair guitarist Dave Cairns. Blythe teamed up with former colleague Big Jim Paterson in The TKO Horns.
The Bureau - Only For Sheep [7" WEA 1981]
Dexy's Midnight Runners - There, There, My Dear [7" Parlophone 1980]
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