The La's

The La's' debut long-player appeared in 1990 and instantly stirred the British pop world as well as American college stations. Its sound blended the melodic, chiming guitars of mid-'60s British pop with the post-punk pop style associated with the Smiths, giving the self-titled album an enduring, classic character. The music seemed spontaneous, yet that impression was misleading. From the outset, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Lee Mavers pursued every detail with uncompromising precision. Consequently, the group never fully realized its potential.

Guitarist Mike Badger founded the band in 1983 and soon recruited Mavers, who assumed songwriting control. Badger departed in 1986, by which time bassist John Power had already joined. The early lineup was completed by guitarist Paul Hemmings and drummer John Timson. Go! Discs signed the La's in 1987 after hearing their demo tapes and issued the single "Way Out," which drew strong notices but failed to chart. The following year "There She Goes" likewise earned favorable press yet remained outside the charts. With a revised lineup that now included bassist James Joyce, guitarist Cammy (born Peter James Camell), and drummer Neil Mavers, brother to Lee, the band began recording its first album that same year. The album finally reached stores in 1990. Although Mavers later described it as rush-released, the Steve Lillywhite-produced The La's collected glowing reviews and healthy sales; a reissued "There She Goes" reached the U.K. Top 20 and climbed to number 49 in America. The band toured extensively throughout most of 1991. Late that year the members returned to the studio to begin work on a follow-up. Mavers now exercised complete oversight, methodically re-recording tracks and rewriting songs. The La's subsequently vanished from the pop scene. Mavers reappeared in spring 1995 with a reconstituted band, performing a handful of support dates that showcased a couple of new songs.