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Hi David,

As you are may be aware, the bands you are interested in are in fact early incarnations of Spandau Ballet. The music changed, the dynamic changed but only one member in SB wasn't there from the beginning. Martin Kemp would take over from Richard Miller on bass in 1978 but was not in The Cut or The Makers line up .

In 1977/8 The Cut/The Makers, having been at the same school, Dame Alice Owens' Grammar School, were a tight "power pop' outfit who cut their teeth on the live circuit of the day (Hope & Anchor/Nashville/, Greyhound, etc). We quickly gained a reputation as being an exciting live band. Our main rivals, as we saw it, were Secret Affair and both bands were on a race to get signed first.

We lost out and soon became despondent and dispersed. Some six months later in 1979 we reformed in order to represent the scene that we were now very much a part of. This scene would later be labelled 'New Romantic'.

Early recordings do exist but we are hanging onto them for now

Hope this helps

Best regards

Steve Norman

Hi David,

Wow David, you've certainly done your homework. This has reminded me of stuff I'd long forgotten.

I do have photos somewhere but I have no idea where they are. I'll bear you in mind though should I stumble across any.

I'm very impressed

Best regards

Steve Norman

Good morning

I have read on your incredibly valuable "The Bored Teenagers" website about "The Makers", the precursor to "Spandau Ballet". There, you mention that "a 13 track demo album of Powerpop cuts [...] along with some super 8mm live footage, is the only remaining legacy of the band".

I have seen a picture taken from this 8mm live footage (a school gig) before, but have not been aware of the demo album. Do you have any hints or details about its availability, have parts or the whole album ever been published or made available anywhere yet? Does the master tape still exist?

Many thanks,
Robert Kellner