The Pale Fountains were an English band formed in Liverpool in 1980, and composed of Mick Head (vocalist/guitarist), Chris McCaffery (bassist), Thomas Whelan (drummer), trumpet player Andy Diagram (horns) and Ken Moss (guitarist). Diagram was simultaneously a member of Dislocation Dance for most of the Pale Fountains' existence.
Career Inspired by 1960s music such as Love, Burt Bacharach and the Beatles, the group released their debut single "(There's Always) Something on My Mind" on Les Disques du Crépuscule before signing a major label deal in October 1982. Although the Pale Fountains failed to make much commercial headway, the band would earn critical praise for the two albums released on Virgin, Pacific Street (1984) and ...From Across the Kitchen Table (1985), produced by Ian Broudie, who later found fame with the Lightning Seeds. Their sole UK Singles Chart top 50 single was "Thank You", which reached No. 48 in 1982.
The band split up in 1987, with Mick Head going on to form Shack with his brother John. Andy Diagram had already left in 1984 and would later join James. Bassist and founder member Chris "Biffa" McCaffery died in 1989 of a brain tumour.
In November 2007, Head announced that he was reforming the Pale Fountains for two gigs; one at the Carling Academy in Liverpool on 2 February 2008, and another at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London on 3 February 2008. The group remains particularly popular in France and Japan. Two compilations have been issued: Longshot for Your Love (Marina, 1998) and Something on My Mind (Crépuscule, 2013), the latter with a bonus live CD recorded in 1982.
Members Mick Head – vocals, guitar (1981–1987) Chris McCaffery – bass guitar (1981–1987; died 1989) Thomas Whelan – drums (1981–1987) Andy Diagram – trumpet (1982–1984) John Head – guitar (1984–1987)
Timeline
Discography Albums Studio albums Title Album detailsPeak chart positions UKPacific Street Released: 27 February 1984 Label: Virgin Formats: LP, MC85...From Across the Kitchen Table Released: 4 February 1985 Label: Virgin Formats: LP, MC94
Compilation albums Title Album detailsLongshot for Your Love Released: 15 May 1998 Label: Marina Formats: CD, LP Germany-only releaseSomething on My Mind Released: 9 December 2013 Label: Les Disques du Crépuscule Formats: LP+CD, digital download
Singles Title YearPeak chart positions UK UK Indie NL"(There's Always) Something on My Mind" / "Just a Girl"1982—2825—"Thank You"48—48"Palm of My Hand"1983102——"Unless"1984115——"(Don't Let Your Love) Start a War"174——"Jean's Not Happening"———"...From Across the Kitchen Table"1985———"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
See also Shack Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band
References
External links Michael Head's Official Website Shacknet – The Magical World of Shack & Pale Fountains Pale Fountains biography page at Crépuscule