Stereo Models were an
English new wave group, formed in 1979 in
Bristol
Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...
, England. They are best known for the track "Move Fast-Stay Ahead", on the Bristol
compilation album
A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...
, ''
Avon Calling'', released by
Heartbeat Records
Heartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington, Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music.
Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of ...
in 1979. Rick Joseph of ''
NME
''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...
'' writing at the time of the original release said, 'The joys of profligate living are eulogised in "Move Fast, Stay Ahead", a reckless, infectious punkabilly chorus from Stereo Models'. The track was written by Russ Thomas, who provided vocals and played guitar, and was recorded at Horizon Studios, Coventry. The drummer was Mark Hatwood, formally of
Coventry
Coventry ( or rarely ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands county, in England, on the River Sherbourne. Coventry had been a large settlement for centurie ...
band Squad, which included
Terry Hall in their line-up. Later Paul Tyler was added on bass and Steve Libby on keyboards.
In 1980 Tyler left and Hatwood got disillusioned and joined
Mud
Mud (, or Middle Dutch) is loam, silt or clay mixed with water. Mud is usually formed after rainfall or near water sources. Ancient mud deposits hardened over geological time to form sedimentary rock such as shale or mudstone (generally cal ...
- later to write film music. Thomas and Libby carried on under the name of Metropolis, with Geoff Fulton
on bass and Simon Phillips on drums. In 1981 Libby left to join The Agents, and then Force Majeure (band), Force Majeure. Later in the year the rest of the band split up. Tyler continues composing and recording music involving Steve Libby on some of his work.
In 2005 the original LP, '' Avon Calling'', was re-released by Cherry Red as a double album
A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording ...
.
In 2010, Heartbeat and Bristol Archive Records brought out a CD follow-up to the original album, calling it ''Avon Calling 2''. Included on this CD release is the Stereo Models track "Middle Of Nowhere".
In 2012, Cherry Red released a download only, album called "Keep on Runnin' - an Alternative Soundtrack to the London Games" that included the Stereo Models "Move Fast, Stay Ahead".
See also
*List of Bands from Bristol
This is a list of notable music groups, musicians and singers from, and associated with, the English city of Bristol and its surrounding areas (including North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Western Wiltshire, and South Gloucestershire) ...
References
External links
Listen to Stereo Models at last.fm
* class=artist, id=p800664, pure_url=yes Stereo Models at Allmusicbr>Heartbeat Records
Musical groups from Bristol
English new wave musical groups
English post-punk music groups