The Bolshoi

Formed in Britain during 1984, the Bolshoi explored gothic rock textures while steering clear of the style's usual constraints. Trevor Tanner, who supplied vocals and guitar, teamed up with drummer Jan Kalicki after the pair hitchhiked to Woolwich, England, seeking a breakthrough. Bassist Nick Chown soon completed the lineup, which then supported the Cult, the Lords of the New Church, Wall of Voodoo, and the March Violets on early bills.

The 1985 EP Giants introduced songs such as "Happy Boy" and "Fly," which captured the group's stark, ominous guitars and morose narratives. Keyboardist Paul Clark came aboard before the band cut its debut album, Friends, issued by Beggars Banquet in 1986. Released in the United States through I.R.S., the soaring single "A Way" cultivated a devoted college-radio audience while also thriving in dance clubs. A remixed version of that track later appeared on the 1987 soundtrack for Something Wild.

The Bolshoi subsequently toured with Peter Murphy and Spear of Destiny before entering the studio for its second album, Lindy's Party. Radio-friendly cuts including "Please" and "T.V. Man" earned the record wider airplay than previous releases. Although the band trimmed its gothic edges in favor of synth-driven pop aimed at broader commercial reach, English critics continued to commend Tanner's taut songwriting. The members nevertheless parted ways shortly after the album's appearance, having decided collaboration no longer held any enjoyment.

Clark settled in Seattle and turned his attention to electronic music. After an extended absence from recording, Tanner resurfaced in 1998 with Master of the World. He reunited with Clark for the track "Majorette," and the title song was featured on the 1999 retrospective Away...Best of the Bolshoi.