Cause & Effect

In 1990, Robert Rowe and Sean Rowley established the dance-pop outfit Cause & Effect in California. Rowe supplied vocals and guitars while Rowley handled keyboards and synthesizers, and the pair issued a self-titled album the following year through the independent Exile label. Zoo Records took notice, signed the group, and issued a modestly revised edition titled Another Minute. During 1992 two singles charted, with “You Think You Know Her” reaching number 38 and “Another Minute” peaking at number 75.

After enlisting drummer Richard Shepherd, the band launched a tour in late 1992. Rowley suffered a fatal asthma-induced heart attack shortly before one performance, forcing cancellation of the remaining dates. One year later Rowe and Shepherd revived Cause & Effect alongside longtime associate Keith Milo. The trio collaborated with producer Martyn Phillips on the 1994 album Trip, whose single “It’s Over Now (It’s Alright)” climbed to number 67 that August. Both Milo and Shepherd later pursued production work, the former alongside Dania Morales of Anything Box and the latter with Sacramento’s the Adored.

Cause & Effect’s long-awaited follow-up to Trip, Innermost Station, arrived in the summer of 1999.