Terraplane

Schoolmates Luke Morley and Danny Bowes launched the band in South London alongside Mac McKenzie and Chris Hussey. By 1983 the pair had recruited bassist Nick Linden and drummer Gary “Harry” James to complete the lineup of Morley on guitar and Bowes on vocals, at which point they abandoned the name Nuthin’ Fancy in favor of Terraplane. The quartet soon issued the independent single “I Survive,” whose strong reception secured a contract with Epic. The label steered the group toward a brighter, more commercial style reminiscent of Bon Jovi or Survivor; the musicians complied and delivered their 1985 debut album Black & White, whose working titles had been Talking to God on the Great White Telephone and later Talking to You on the Great White Telephone. Guitarist Rudy Riviere joined for touring, injecting a harder edge into the live performances, yet he departed to explore other projects before sessions began for the next record. The follow-up, Moving Target, appeared in 1987 and underperformed, prompting the 1988 breakup of Terraplane. Bowes, Morley, and James nevertheless reconvened with guitarist and keyboardist Ben Matthews plus bassist Mark “Snake” Luckhurst, forming Thunder whose tougher approach ultimately delivered greater commercial traction.