Biography
Formed in Wales during 1989, the Sweetest Ache brought together vocalist Simon Court, guitarists Peter Stone and Stuart Vincent, keyboardist Ian "Stretch" Saberton, bassist Dave Walters, and drummer Jimmy ‘Geriant'. The ensemble quickly emerged as a prized act within Sarah Records' stable of jangle-pop acts. Early in the following decade the group issued several 7" singles, among them "If I Could Shine" and "Everlasting," which earned enthusiastic notices across the U.K. Their first album-length effort, Jaguar, appeared in 1992, yet Sarah Records was already nearing its close. Consequently the band's sophomore LP, Grass Roots, found a home at Vinyl Japan in 1993 and ultimately surpassed 9,000 copies sold around the globe. Like others on the Sarah roster, the Sweetest Ache's plaintive singing and chiming guitars rooted in 1960s styles sat at odds with prevailing trends, though an expanding online audience during the late 1990s rescued the group from neglect. In 1999 Sweet William saluted the band with the double 7" EP A Smile Took Over. Court rejoined Vincent and Saberton in 2000 as members of Shooter, whose lineup also included Peter Moore on guitar, bass, and keyboards plus guitarist Mark Royston, bassist Steve Bugden, and drummer Andy Kersey.