The Caretaker Race, an undervalued indie outfit assembled in east London during 1986, traced its origins to occasional rock journalist Andy Strickland, born 16 July 1959 in Newport on the Isle of Wight and responsible for guitar and vocals, together with Dave Mew, born 11 May 1959 in Epping, Essex; bassist Henry Hersom from London; keyboardist Sally Ward, born in Preston; and Andrew Deevey, born 11 November 1964 in Liverpool. Strickland, the central force, had exited the Loft, another London band, precisely when the independent circuit fell under the sway of the shambling movement. Rather than mimic the surrounding pretence of ineptitude, the group followed a polished, melodic guitar direction that recalled Australian band the Go-Betweens, an approach that secured them a circle of supporters and steady sales.
They launched their own Roustabout Records imprint in 1987, then moved to the Foundation label in 1989. In the process bassist Henry Hersom left to join London outfit Bob and was succeeded by Jackie Carrera, born 6 June 1964 in London, while Sally Ward departed to begin teaching. Momentum ebbed as a result, and the band gradually slipped from view.
