After The Fire

After The Fire

After The Fire are a London-based group that begin in 1974, with roots in the earlier 1971/72 line-up that forms around Peter Banks on keyboards, John Leach on bass and Ian Adamson on drums. Their sound moves from progressive rock towards new wave, and their later releases are also associated with alternative dance, alternative pop, new romantic, progressive pop, synthpop and pop.

Early formation and line-up changes

The original group disbands in 1972, and Banks and Adamson later revive the name in 1974, recruiting guitarist Andy Piercy. The early material centres on Christian stories. Robin Childs joins on bass in 1975, then leaves in 1977 and is replaced by Nick Battle, while Adamson is replaced on drums by Ivor Twidell. John Russell joins as guitarist after seeing the band play in a pub, and Andy Piercy moves to bass. The group later signs to CBS in 1978.

Albums and recordings

Signs of Change appears on a private label after the band grows frustrated with Christian record labels that require up-front payment. The album has a limited run and is distributed by mail order. It is a six-track record with a sound described in the bio as recalling early Genesis and Yes, with synth-led arrangements and extended instrumental sections.

The band then records Laser Love, with five producers involved and two tracks self-produced by the band, leaving the album with a mixed production approach. Some songs are recorded more than once with different producers. During this period the band also performs at Greenbelt and previews new material before the album’s release.

Ivor Twidell leaves in 1979 after collapsing on stage and is replaced by Nick Brotherwood. Work begins on 80-f, but CBS rejects it, leading to another drummer change. Pete King, formerly of the Flys, joins and the album is re-recorded with Mack producing. It is issued with two singles, and the band also releases a German-language version of “Starflight” called “Sternenflug”.

In 1981 the band tours extensively outside the UK and appears on Old Grey Whistle Test and Rock Goes To College. Batteries Not Included follows as the group’s most polished release and the last with new material. The band continues to record demos for another album, but that project does not reach release.

Hit singles and wider profile

After The Fire become one of the few acts to reach one-hit-wonder status in both the UK and US with different songs: “One Rule for You” in 1979 in the UK and “Der Kommissar” in 1982 in the US. The band also appears on Swap Shop in 1982 and tours America with ELO, Queen and Van Halen over a fifty-one-date run. During that tour CBS asks them to return to the studio, but they choose to continue, leaving them in debt when they come back.

The group splits in December 1982 at the Dominion Theatre after a final concert. The final single, “Der Kommissar”, becomes a worldwide hit and leads CBS to ask for a reunion, which does not happen.

After the split and later activity

Following the breakup, Andy Piercy and John Russell record again with session musicians, releasing a reworked version of “Dancing In The Shadows” and then “8 Ball In The Top Pocket”, which is later withdrawn. CBS also issues Der Kommissar as a greatest-hits collection and re-releases it with reworked versions of “Dancing In The Shadows”, “One Rule For You” and “Starflight”. The planned album Free Heat is abandoned.

John Russell later forms Press Any Key with his brother Rob. Andy Piercy pursues a solo career and production work. Peter Banks and Pete King begin a project called Zipcodes, and a tape is released after King’s death in 1987. The band later reunites for special events and returns in 2004 for a fan-club reunion and a Greenbelt Arts Festival comeback performance. That later line-up includes Keith Smith on vocals, with John’s son Matt on drums and bassist Ian Niblo for the informal reunion set.

Members

The band’s members across its history include Ian Adamson, Peter Banks, Andy Piercy, Ivor Twidell, Pete King, John Russell and Rob Halligan.

The group also performs more than 300 gigs, tours with ELO, Queen and Van Halen, and shares a BBC In Concert stage with U2.