After Dinner Speakers: The Bluetones, Kriss Akabusi, David Baddiel

Formed in Hounslow, London, England, in 1990, melodic guitar pop band the Bluetones spent the next four years practising in garages. They consist of Scott Morriss (b. 10 October 1973; bass), Eds Chesters (drums), Adam P. Devlin (b. 17 September 1969; guitar) and Mark James Morriss (b. 18 October 1971; vocals, brother of Scott), and their patience was rewarded in 1995 when they became the toast of the UK's music press. Mark Morriss said of their music: "What we do is a continuation of what went on in the 60s without the flower-power bullshit. Good tunes. And over-lapping melodies; the best lyrics in the world don't mean anything without a nice tune.' They quickly established a strong fanbase - no less than three fanzines were dedicated to the Bluetones before they had released their third single. They contributed to a compilation EP, released on the Fierce Panda label, and this led to an appearance on Channel 4 television's The White Room. Superior Quality Records then signed the band and the Bluetones" debut single, "Are You Blue Or Are You Blind?", entered the UK Top 40 in June 1995. It was followed in October 1995 by "Bluetonic" (the track that had originally appeared on the Fierce Panda EP as "No. 11"), and the band completed its first headlining UK tour supported by their protégés Hooker. The band also joined the Cardigans, Heavy Stereo and Fluffy on the well-publicized New Musical Express Brat Bus Tour. The third single, "Slight Return", was their biggest hit, while Expecting To Fly (named after a classic Buffalo Springfield song), produced by Hugh Jones, reached number 1 in the UK album charts in February 1996. Many pundits predicted greater things for the band, although ultimately their lack of originality may be a stumbling block. Return To The Last Chance Saloon attempted to make a clean break from the style of their debut, but with limited success. The album was also met by a worryingly indifferent commercial response. Science & Nature marked a more successful attempt to retool their sound.