Biography
The primary reason Original Mirrors linger in memory traces back to guitarist Ian Broudie, later founder of the Lightning Seeds. Liverpool, England, saw the group coalesce in 1980 once vocalist Steve Allen’s art-rock outfit Deaf School had folded two years earlier. Broudie’s résumé already included a stint in Big in Japan alongside Holly Johnson, who would front Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Completing the lineup were drummer Peter Kircher, keyboardist Jonathan Perkins, and bassist Phil Spalding. Their sound, steeped in glam and power pop, bore no resemblance to the ‘60s-oriented direction Broudie would later pursue. The band’s self-titled debut appeared in 1980 yet failed to register commercially, and Heart Twango & Raw Beat met an equally indifferent reception the following year. Original Mirrors disbanded soon after. Broudie subsequently produced recordings by Echo & the Bunnymen and the Fall, then teamed with vocalist Paul Simpson to form Care in 1983 before launching the Lightning Seeds in 1989. On February 5, 2023, bassist Phil Spalding passed away at the age of 65.