Haircut 100

Haircut 100

Haircut 100, also known as Haircut One Hundred, is a British pop rock band formed in 1980 by Nick Heyward, Les Nemes, Graham Jones, Phil Smith, Mark Fox and Blair Cunningham. The group is associated with the new romantic movement and develops a style of new wave and pop with a preppy, afrobeat-influenced guitar sound.

Early success

The band achieves success soon after forming. Its 1981 single “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” leads into the breakthrough of Pelican West, released in 1982. The follow-up single “Love Plus One” becomes an even larger hit and gives the group its widest recognition.

Line-up changes and split

As success grows, Nick Heyward leaves to pursue a solo career. The remaining members continue with Paint and Paint in 1984, with percussionist Mark Fox taking over lead vocals, but the band breaks up not long afterwards.

Legacy

Haircut 100 is sometimes treated as a one-hit act because of the continued popularity of “Love Plus One”, but it remains influential. By the late 2000s, its sound is echoed by new wave revival acts such as Vampire Weekend and No Kids.