Biography
Formed in 1986 in West Bromwich, England, the Sea Urchins originally consisted of James Roberts (b. 4 March 1970, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England; vocals), Simon Woodcock (b. 2 December 1969, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England; guitar), Mark Bevin (b. 21 January 1970; bass), Bridget Duffy (b. 28 June 1970, Birmingham, England; tambourine, ex-drummer for the Velvet Underwear), Patrick Roberts (drums) and Robert Cooksey (b. 14 November 1969, Solihull, West Midlands, England; guitar). Their affection for Byrds harmonies and the gentler side of 1960s music came through clearly on the pair of flexi-discs, ‘Clingfilm’ and ‘Summershine’, issued with assorted fanzines during summer 1987. Following Bevin’s replacement by Darren Martin (b. 25 March 1967) and Duffy’s switch to Vox organ, the group delivered its debut release in November 1987: the EP Pristine Christine, issued on Bristol’s Sarah Records as the label’s very first single and received as an engaging piece of jangly guitar pop. The subsequent single ‘Solace’, which appeared the next year and marked the beginning of the band’s self-described mod-rock period, proved even more compelling. Although both records performed respectably, Sarah hesitated to commit to a full-length album; soon afterward Duffy and Martin departed, prompting Woodcock to take over bass duties and James Roberts to move to guitar. The 1990 summer release ‘A Morning Odyssey’ eventually emerged, yet when the label declined to put out the harder-edged ‘Low Scene’, the Sea Urchins parted ways with Sarah. Around the same time, a ballad the group had recorded in 1988 was issued by the Welsh label Fierce. Early in 1991 the band signed with Cheree and released ‘Please Don’t Cry’, on which they were augmented onstage by Andy Ellison (ex-John’s Children and Radio Stars). Plans for John’s Children’s John Hewlett to produce the next single were cut short when Woodcock exited, leading to the Sea Urchins’ dissolution after a disappointing summer 1991 performance. James Roberts, Patrick Roberts and Robert Cooksey subsequently formed Delta.
Albums