The Avant Gardeners

The Avant Gardeners were a new wave band influenced by 1960s psychedelic rock, originally from Okehampton, Devon,cite web |url=http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/avantgardener.htm |title=Avant Gardener |accessdaymonth=05 February |accessyear=2008 |author= |year= |month= |work=punk77.co.uk |publisher= |quote= ] but soon moving to London, England, formed in 1977, initially as The Avant Gardener.cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |year= 1999 |publisher=Canongate |isbn=0-86241-913-1 ]

The Avant Gardener's line-up was initially Russell Murch (vocals, guitar), Martin Saunders (guitar), Nigel Rae (bass), and Mike Kelly (drums). Their first release was a self-titled EP on Virgin Records in 1977, after which they split up. Two tracks from the EP were included on Virgin's new wave showcase compilation "Guillotine".cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music |year= 1992 |publisher=Guinness Publishing |isbn=0-85112-579-4 ] Murch reformed the band in 1980 as The Avant Gardeners, with new musicians Mike Roberts (guitar) and Rob Hill (bass), along with a series of guest drummers. More popular in continental Europe than their home country, the new line-up released two albums, 1980's "Dig It" and 1984's "The Church of the Inner Cosmos" on the Italian Appaloosa label, and a 7-inch EP, before again splitting.

Discography

ingles/EPs

*"The Avant Gardener EP" (1977) Virgin
*"Deadwood Stage" (1983) Speed

Albums

*"Dig It" (1980) Appaloosa
*"The Church of the Inner Cosmos" (1984) Appaloosa

References