Green Gartside, born Paul Julian Strohmeyer, is a British musician from Cardiff, Wales, and the frontman and only constant member of Scritti Politti. He takes his stage name from the surname of his stepfather, Gordon Gartside, and the forename “Green” after a train journey back to Wales, when the landscape outside the window leaves a lasting impression on him.

Early life and education

Gartside attends Croesyceiliog Grammar School in Cwmbran, now Croesyceiliog School. He then studies foundation art at what is now the Newport School of Art, Media and Design. In the mid-1970s he moves to Leeds to study art at Leeds Polytechnic, now Leeds Metropolitan University.

Scritti Politti

In 1977, while at Leeds Polytechnic, Gartside forms Scritti Politti with school friend Nial Jinks and university friend Tom Morley. After Gartside and Morley leave the college, they move to London and later sign a recording deal with Rough Trade Records. Rough Trade releases the band’s first album, Songs to Remember, in 1982. Later Scritti Politti releases feature different line-ups, with Gartside remaining the only constant member.

Collaborations

Gartside works with a range of artists, including Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, Eurythmics, Elvis Costello, Shabba Ranks, Mos Def and Kylie Minogue.