The Members are a British punk band that originated in Camberley, Surrey, England. In the UK, they are best known for their single "The Sound of the Suburbs", reaching No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart in 1979, and in Australia, "Radio" which reached No. 5 in 1982.
Career
The Members were formed by lyricist Nicky Tesco (Nick Lightowlers) in 1976, through an invited audition at a recording studio at Tooley Street, London. The original personnel, with Tesco (vocals), was Gary Baker (guitar), and Steve Morley (bass guitar), initially with Steve Maycock then Clive Parker (drums). Morley and Parker were later replaced by Chris Payne and Adrian Lillywhite.
In 1976, the band performed for their first gigs in London pubs. In that year, composer Jean Marie Carroll (aka JC Carroll) joined the band to complement Tesco's lyrics. The Members had recorded a number of songs, but the first released recording was "Fear on the Streets", produced by Lillywhite's brother Steve Lillywhite. This song was included on the first record released by the Beggars Banquet label, who made the punk compilation Streets (1977). The song-writing collaboration between Tesco and Carroll moved The Members' sound towards an incorporation of reggae, shown in the first single released for Stiff Records, "Solitary Confinement", produced by Larry Wallis. Following these releases, the band personnel became Tesco (vocals), Carroll (vocals and guitar), Nigel Bennett (guitar), Payne (bass) and Lillywhite (drums).
In 1978/79, the Members continued to play the London pub and club circuit, became a feature in the music press and were championed by John Peel. They signed to Virgin Records in 1978, for which label they recorded "The Sound of the Suburbs", again produced by Steve Lillywhite. This became The Members' biggest chart success and their best-known song in the UK. However, the follow-up single, "Offshore Banking Business", a reggae tune written by Carroll, based on his experiences working in offshore banking at the private bank Coutts, did not achieve the same popularity. A version of "Offshore Banking Business" was recorded for the early 1980s film Urgh! A Music War, produced by Michael White, and distributed by Filmways and Lorimar Productions.
The Members' first album, At the Chelsea Nightclub, was followed by a second for Virgin, 1980 – The Choice Is Yours. Augmented by saxophonists Steve (Rudi) Thomson and Simon Lloyd (the latter of whom also provided horns and additional keyboards), the group recorded what would turn out to be their final album. This last album was first issued in the US as Uprhythm, Downbeat in 1982, and it surfaced in the UK a year later, with a new title called Going West. The album featured the singles "Radio," which made no. 5 in Australia, and Working Girl, the music video for which gave the band exposure in North America via MTV.
The band broke up in 1983, when Tesco left the band after the last tour of the US. JC Carroll formed the UK fashion house, The Dispensary, with his then wife Sophy Lynn and began working on film soundtracks, most notably with film producer Stephen Malit and director Julien Temple. Lillywhite went on to join the band King in the mid-1980s in time for their second album. Lloyd soon joined the Australian band Icehouse, remaining with them for their international smash hits "Electric Blue" and "Crazy". In 1989, Tesco appeared in Leningrad Cowboys Go America, written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki, a film about a fictional Russian rock band touring the US. This fictional band then toured as an actual band, and recorded the Tesco song "Thru the Wire". Kaurismäki directed a video for "Thru the Wire", featuring Tesco. As well as working as a music journalist for the magazine Music Week, Tesco became a commentator on new releases for BBC 6 Music's "Roundtable".
Reunion incarnation In 2008, the original line up of the band reformed to play two concerts, then a line up of Carroll, Payne and Nick Cash resumed touring. In 2009, a new single "International Financial Crisis" (a re-write of "Offshore Banking Business") was released, recorded by Tesco, Carroll, Payne and Bennett, with artwork by the original Members' album sleeve designer, Malcolm Garrett. This line up played Glastonbury and Isle of Wight Festivals. The Members line-up of Carroll, Payne and Rat Scabies (drums) performed from 2010 to 2013, playing over 90 shows including three European tours and New Zealand and Australian tours. Nick Cash rejoined the band in 2014.
In March 2012, the Members released their fourth studio album, InGrrLand, featuring Carroll, Payne, Bennett, Cash and Rat Scabies. In December 2013, Nigel Bennett rejoined the Members. In 2014, the Members (comprising Carroll, Bennett and Cash), mounted a 23-date tour of the US; Carroll on bass guitar and lead vocals, Bennett on lead guitar, and Cash on drums. This was the band's first tour of the US for 32 years.
In 2015, the band began work on their fifth studio album in studios in London and West Byfleet featuring a nucleus of Carroll, Cash, Payne and Bennett together with guest appearances from Guy Pratt and guitarist Steve Brookes. One Law, released in early 2016, was produced by Carroll, and received reviews in Louder Than War, The Aberdeen Voice, Record Collector and Vive Le Rock.
In 2021, the band released their seventh studio album Bedsitland and JC Carroll's definitive story of the band, Still Annoying the Neighbours, was published.
Since reforming the Members have performed all over the world; and apart from a break for the COVID pandemic, they continue to perform.
On 26 February 2022, it was announced that Tesco had died, at the age of 67. The BBC's Johnnie Walker and JC Carroll paid tribute to Tesco on the Sounds of the 70's BBC radio show.
Line-ups 1976 1976 1977 1977 Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitars Steve Morley – bass Steve Maycock – drums, percussion Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitars Steve Morley – bass Clive Parker – drums, percussion Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitars Steve Morley – bass Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Gary Baker – guitars Steve Morley – bass Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals 1977 – 1978 1978 – 1981 1981 1981 – 1983 Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Gary Baker – guitars Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Adam Maitland – horns Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Simon Lloyd – keyboards, horns 1983 1983 – 2007 2007 2008 Nicky Tesco – lead vocals JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Simon Lloyd – keyboards, horns Chuck Sabo – drums, percussionDisbanded Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion 2009 2009 – 2010 2010 – 2013 2013 – December 2013 Nicky Tesco – lead vocals JC Carroll – guitars, backing vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Rat Scabies – drums, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Rat Scabies – drums, percussion Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns December 2013 – 2014 2014 2014 2014 JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Calle Engelmarc – bass, backing vocals JC Carroll – bass, lead vocals Nick Cash – drums, backing vocals, percussion Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Nick Cash – drums, backing vocals, percussion Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals 2014 – 2015 2016 2016 2016 JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Nick Cash – drums, backing vocals, percussion Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Paddy Carroll – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Nick Cash – drums, backing vocals, percussion Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals Dan Heatly – drums, backing vocals, percussion JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Calle Engelmarc – bass, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion 2017 – 2020 2020 – 2022 2022 (199 club – 45 years reunion) 2022 – present JC Carroll – guitars, lead vocals Calle Engelmarc – guitars, backing vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Chris Payne – bass, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Chris Payne – bass, vocals JC Carroll – guitars, vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Chris Payne – bass, vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums, percussion Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Nigel Bennett – guitars, backing vocals Calle Engelmarc – guitars, backing vocals Paddy Carroll – guitars, backing vocals JC Carroll – guitars, vocals Nick Cash – drums, percussion Chris Payne – bass, vocals
Timeline
Discography Albums Year Title UK Label 1979 At the Chelsea Nightclub 45 Stiff/Virgin 1980 1980 – The Choice Is Yours - Virgin 1982 Uprhythm, Downbeat - Virgin 1995 Sound of the Suburbs (Best Of) - Virgin 2010 Live in Berlin - Smash The System 2012 Ingrrland - AngloCentric 2016 One Law - AngloCentric Cadiz Music 2016 At The Luton Hat Factory - AngloCentric 2018 Greatest Hits (all the Singles) - AngloCentric Cadiz Music 2019 Version - Cleopatra Records 2019 InGrrLand (vinyl edition) - Cleopatra Records 2021 Bedsitland (vinyl, CD, Digital ) - AngloCentric Records2024Greetings From Knowhere -AngloCentric Records2025At The Coach House - The Original Studio Tapes -AngloCentric Records2025At The End Of Term - The Lost Masters -AngloCentric Records
Singles
Year Title UK UK Indie US Main AUS 1979 "Solitary Confinement" - - - - 1979 "The Sound of the Suburbs" 12 - - - 1979 "Offshore Banking Business" 31 - - - 1979 "Killing Time" - - - - 1980 "Romance" - - - - 1980 "Flying Again" - - - - 1981 "Working Girl" 114 41 34 - 1982 "Radio" - - - 5 2009 "International Financial Crisis" - - - - 2011 "New English Blues" - - - - 2015 "(I Love my)English Girls" - - - - 2016 "Emotional Triggers c/w Apathy in the UK" - - - - 2016 "Incident at Surbiton (3 Mixes)" - - - - 2018 "Smartphone Junkie c/w Non. Je ne Regrette Rein" - - - - 2019 "When U were mine c/w Ever Fallen in Love in Love" - - - -
Compilation appearances Streets (Beggars Banquet 1977 Track: "Fear on the Streets") The Moonlight Tapes (Danceville Records 1977 Track: "Rat Up a Drainpipe") The Sound of the Suburbs (Columbia Records MOOD18 (1991) Track: "The Sounds of the Suburbs")
References
External links
The Members Official YouTube Channel The Members web site Nick Tesco music review blog. Review of The Members in Sacramento 2014 Record Collector Article September 2015 J C Carroll Official Site Nicky Tesco filmography Nick Cash: a bio Nick (Nicky) Tesco biographical videos.