The Silencers

In the closing years of the 1970s, Scottish singer, songwriter, and producer Jimmie O'Neal made his initial mark alongside the eclectic group Fingerprintz, which issued recordings on the Virgin label between 1979 and 1981 while also putting out an album via Stiff. Much of Jacqui Brookes' 1984 album Sob Stories came about through O'Neal's production and co-writing efforts, after which he assembled the Silencers in 1986 alongside guitarist Cha Burns, another Fingerprintz alumnus, bassist Joe Donnelly, and drummer Martin Hanlin. The RCA-signed ensemble made its entrance in 1987 via A Letter From St. Paul. During 1988 and 1989, the Silencers achieved modest success on the British charts thanks to the hits "Painted Moon" and "Scottish Rain," in addition to laying down A Blues for Buddha and Dance to the Holy Man.