| Bradford | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Blackburn, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Years active | 1987–1991 |
| Labels | Foundation, Midnight Music, Sire |
| Associated acts | Acoustic Uprising, Ithaka |
| Members | |
| Ian Michael Hodgson Ewan Butler John Baulcombe Jos Murphy Mark McVitie |
|
Bradford were a skinhead indie band from Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The band is best known for being liked by Morrissey, who proclaimed them heirs to the Smiths throne.
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The initial line-up was Ian H. (Ian Michael Hodgson, vocals), Stuart (guitar), Jos Murphy (bass guitar), and Mark McVitie (drums).[1] The band's debut single, "Skin Storm" was released in 1988, and had the distinction of being the first debut single to be released on compact disc.[2] They followed this with "Tattered, Tangled & Torn" before signing to Midnight Music, although their only release for the label, a self-titled mini-LP, was withdrawn.[1] The band were then signed to Smiths producer Stephen Street's Foundation label.[3] Street also produced the major share of Bradford's material during their two year association before the band signed with Sire Records/Warner Bros. The band opened for Morrissey at his first post-Smiths concert at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.[2] By early 1989, Stuart had left, to be replaced by Ewan Butler (guitar) and John Balcombe (keyboards).[1] 1989 saw two further singles, both hits on the UK Indie Chart, and an album, Shouting Quietly, produced by Stephen Street and released on Sire Records label in the United States followed in 1990. Sales of the album were disappointing, and the band were dropped by Sire. An album collecting tracks from their early singles was also issued. In 1991, Morrissey recorded a cover version of "Skin Storm", released as a B-side on his "Pregnant for the Last Time" single.[1]
The band toured extensively and supported artists including Primal Scream, Joe Strummer, Sugarcubes and James. Hodgson later formed band Acoustic Uprising, and also played guitar for On Parole, a tribute to The Clash. Guitarist Ewan Butler wrote and performed with US rap artist Ithaka; whilst bass player Joss Murphy is currently playing with Morrissey tribute act, Viva Morrissey. John Baulcombe is currently playing with the Bolton indie pop band Merchandise who released their third album, For The Masses, in June 2010.
Former drummer Mark McVitie, then working as a lecturer at Blackburn College, was arrested on child pornography charges in 2001 and placed on a list of registered sex offenders.[2][4]
Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[3]