The Reegs

Emerging as one of two groups to arise from the breakup of the underappreciated British act the Chameleons, the Reegs came together in 1987 when guitarists Dave Fielding and Reg Smithies parted ways with the original band. Vocalist Gary Lavery and a drum machine completed the lineup for their inaugural release in 1991 under the new moniker. “We didn’t do anything for a while after the Chameleons split, I think we both needed to take some time out. There was never any question of us not working together again.” Prior to that, Fielding had engaged in production duties, notably achieving success alongside the Inspiral Carpets. Encouraged by Imaginary Records, the band’s initial effort was a cover of ‘See My Friends’ intended for a Kinks tribute collection. Their original songs first appeared via a pair of EPs that supplied the foundation for their full-length album. Another set of recordings followed in the subsequent year.