The Rumour

Although primarily recognized for supporting Graham Parker at the peak of his career, The Rumour pursued an independent recording path as well. Despite remaining in the shadow of that association and attracting limited notice for their own work, the group produced three albums of engaging material shaped by a pub-rock approach with new wave edges.

The lineup brought together several pub-rock stalwarts: keyboardist Bob Andrews and guitarist/vocalist Brinsley Schwarz, both formerly of Brinsley Schwarz; guitarist/vocalist Martin Belmont, previously with Ducks Deluxe; and drummer/vocalist Stephen Goulding alongside bassist Andrew Bodnar, who had played in Bontemps Roulez. The band assembled in 1975 specifically to back Parker, and they continued recording and touring with him intermittently until 1980. Their own debut arrived that same year when they secured a Phonogram contract and issued Max. Two further releases followed on Stiff—Frogs Sprouts Clogs and Krauts in 1979 and Purity of Essence in 1980. During this period the musicians also served as one of the label’s house bands, contributing to Elvis Costello’s “Watching the Detectives” plus sessions for Carlene Carter, Rachel Sweet, Nick Lowe, and Dave Edmunds. By the close of 1980, insufficient commercial traction prompted the group’s dissolution.