The Loft were a British

indie Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Gaming *Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies *Indie game, any game (board ...

band, whose debut single was one of the earliest releases on

Creation Records Creation Records Ltd. was a British independent record label founded in 1983 by Alan McGee, Dick Green, and Joe Foster. Its name came from the 1960s band The Creation, whom McGee greatly admired. The label ceased operations in 1999, although ...

History

Formed in 1980 as The Living Room by

Peter Astor Peter Astor (born 1960) is an English songwriter and solo artist, known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets, The Wisdom of Harry and Ellis Island Sound. History Pete Astor was born in England, in 1960.Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The ...

(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 John McGee (born 29 September 1960) is a Scottish businessman and music industry executive. He has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for ''The Guardian''. He co-founded the independent Creation Records label, r ...

, with whom The Loft struck up a friendship and played several gigs for. After signing to McGee's fledgling

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 were an English band formed in 1984 in Manchester, England, when former Specials and Fun Boy Three frontman Terry Hall joined up with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale. Despite the fact that all three members ...

was intended to give the band further exposure, but tensions within the band led to a sensational split live onstage of the

Hammersmith Palais The Hammersmith Palais de Danse, in its last years simply named Hammersmith Palais, was a dance hall and entertainment venue in Hammersmith, London, England that operated from 1919 until 2007. It was the first ''palais de danse'' to be ...

, on the final date of the tour.

After the split

Almost immediately,

and Dave Morgan formed a new band,

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 Following the breakup of The Loft, Pe ...

, who were also signed to

Creation Creation may refer to: Religion *''Creatio ex nihilo'', the concept that matter was created by God out of nothing * Creation myth, a religious story of the origin of the world and how people first came to inhabit it * Creationism, the belief tha ...

. 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 is a British independent record label formed in 1990 that specializes in reissues, as well as select new releases. The label is headed by Joe Foster, a former child actor and musician/producer. He, along with Alan McGee and ...

in 2005. Guitarist Strickland became a music journalist and formed

The Caretaker Race The Caretaker Race were an English indie pop band formed in East London in 1986 when singer/guitarist Andy Strickland (also a part-time music journalist) left The Loft. Strickland recruited Dave Mew (drums), Henry Hersom (bass guitar), and Sal ...

, 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 is an independent record label based in the North West of England, whose artist releases include singles and albums by Darren Hayman, the Hornblower Brothers, Hannah Peel, Erland & the Carnival, Shady Bard, the Yel ...

. The band continues to perform occasionally. In 2015, to celebrate 30 years since their "Up The Hill and Down the Slope" single topped the indie chart, the band played shows in New York in May (headlining the NY Popfest in Brooklyn) and in London in June, before recording their third BBC radio session - this time for fan and supporter,

Gideon Coe Gideon Jon Quantrill Coe (born 22 September 1967 in Canterbury, Kent) is a radio DJ, presenter, sportscaster, voiceover artist and journalist. Early career He began his broadcasting career in 1976 as a child presenter on the BBC One TV program ...

, on

BBC 6 Music BBC Radio 6 Music is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC, specialising primarily in alternative music. BBC 6 Music was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years. It is available onl ...

. The Loft is featured heavily on the ''Creation Artefact'' CD compilation released by

Cherry Red Records Cherry Red Records is a British independent record label founded in Malvern, Worcestershire by Iain McNay in 1978. The label has released recordings by Dead Kennedys, Everything But the Girl, The Monochrome Set, and Felt, among others, as well ...

in September 2015. The band remains open to further shows and recordings.

Discography

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)

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loft British indie pop groups Jangle pop groups Creation Records artists