After Dinner Speakers: Texas, Gina Bellman, Shed Seven

The Scottish blues-rock band Texas formed in 1986 when Glasgow bassist Johnny McElhone, formerly of Altered Images and Hipsway, met singer/guitarist Sharleen Spiteri; the pair penned songs before recruiting guitarist Ally McErlaine and drummer Stuart Keer. Taking their name from the film Paris, Texas, whose soundtrack was a big influence on their music, Texas debuted live in early 1988 and toured extensively before signing to Phonogram (Mercury in the U.S.). Recruiting keyboardist Eddie Campbell, Texas released Southside, their 1988 debut which reached No. 3 in the U.K. on the strength of its hit single "I Don't Want a Lover," and eventually went platinum. Replacing Kerr with ex-Slide drummer Richard Hynd, Texas found themselves displaced by the growing tide of "Madchester" dance-pop bands; their second album, 1991's Mother's Heaven, sold under a million, mostly in continental Europe. Reinvigorated by the U.K. Top 20 success of their 1992 single "Tired of Being Alone," an Al Green cover, and a popular U.S. tour, Texas returned in 1993 with Rick's Road. After a several-year hiatus, Texas returned in early 1997 with White on Blonde. In spring 1999, Texas released their latest album, The Hush, on Universal.