Red Letter Day

Formed during 1983 in Portsmouth, England, the pop punk group began with Ade covering vocals and guitar, Ian Campbell on lead guitar, Pete White on bass, and Brian Lee on drums. Nine months and two demos later, Ade assembled a second lineup that brought in Daryn Price on drums, Keith Metcalfe on bass, and Davie Egan on guitar. The single ‘Wherever You May Run’ drew interest from BBC disc jockey John Peel, who invited them to record a session for his program. Their 12-inch EP Released Emotions appeared on Quiet Records, the same name they would later adopt when signing to a label run by an admirer of the band. Metcalfe’s departure prompted a temporary bassist before Steve, formerly of Original Mirrors, settled into the role. The year 1987 brought a support slot at Belgium’s Polderock Festival alongside the Mission, Primitives, and Sonic Youth. Now operating on the Released Emotions label, they collaborated with the Sect on the album Soft Lights And Loud Guitars. The record earned favorable reviews and also placed the band on the Link Records sampler Underground Rockers with like-minded acts such as Mega City Four and the Price. Egan’s exit soon opened the way for Ray to become their current guitarist. After issuing a double a-sided single, they finished their debut full-length album, More Songs About Love And War, which explored a rockier direction.