Pete Astor

Pete Astor

Pete Astor, also known as Peter Astor, is a British singer and multi-instrumentalist from London. He is best known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets, and Ellis Island Sound, and he also works with The Wisdom of Harry.

Career

Astor begins his career in London in 1980, when he forms a band called The Living Room with Andy Strickland on guitar, Bill Prince on bass, and Andy Nott on drums. The group changes its name to The Loft after discovering that a local venue uses the same name. Through connections with Alan McGee, the band develops a relationship with Creation Records and signs to the label.

After the later break-up of The Loft and then The Weather Prophets, Astor pursues a solo career. His links with Alan McGee help secure a deal with Creation Records, where he releases the albums Submarine and Zoo. He later moves to Danceteria for Paradise, issued as Peter Astor and the Holy Road, and God and Other Stories.

Later work

After a period away from view, Astor returns in the late 1990s with the projects Ellis Island Sound and The Wisdom of Harry. In 2005 he releases another solo album, Hal's Eggs, on Static Caravan Recordings, under the name Pete Astor. Around the same time, Cherry Red compilation albums featuring his work appear, and this leads to The Loft reforming.

Astor continues to perform. His album Spilt Milk is set for release on Slumberland Records in 2016. Archive recordings from his early 1980s bands, The Damp Jungle and The Living Room, are issued on cassette by Negative Space Records in 2015.