Introduction by MARC (Lard) RILEY BBC Radio 1

During the period 1977 - 1980, the Manchester music scene was very much alive and hugely competitive.

FAST CARS were probably one of the best powerpop bands around, but for some reason never got the breaks theydeserved. I met Steve Murray in 1977 when he came for an audition with my band The Sirens. We were only together a short while and played only one gig at ‘Pips’ in Manchester during November 1977. We had a number of songs written, but Steve came along with some great songs of his own so they were quickly introduced into the set.

I suppose we had potential, but when the offer to join THE FALL , who were already established by then, myself along with two other members of The Sirens decided to join them.

Steve moved on quickly and teamed up with his brother Stuart, Tony Dyson and guitarist Haydn Jones (who was later replaced by Craig Hilton), to form a band called
FAST CARS. They nicked their name from The Buzzcocks tune and when I first saw them rehearse I understood why: they had a bunch of really strong pop songs and they were all great players ......... perhaps too good !

I saw them play around Manchester a number of times, they always entertained,  were well respected by the local fanzines, and picked up some good press in
NME, SOUNDS, and MELODY MAKER for their live performances.

They became involved in The Manchester Musicians Collective based at The Band on the Wall Club and as a result had two songs
“Why” and “What can I do” released on the album ‘A Manchester Collection’ in early 1979.

They played support to many top bands at the time, including,
The Buzzcocks, The Rezillos, XTC, Joy Division, and their penultimate gig with THE JAM at the Apollo Theatre  Manchester, in November 1980. My partner in crime, Mark Radcliffe, was working as a presenter for Piccadilly Radio back then, played session tracks on his show a number of times, he was impressed with the quality of their songs.

FAST CARS one and only single was released in October 1979  probably epitomised the bands sound, anthemic pop tunes delivered with power, passion and a keen sense of melody and wit. It was played on a lot of specialist shows on local radio, featured on John Peel’s Radio 1 show several times and even picked up a play on the lunchtime show on BBC Radio One with Peter Powell, but sadly it never really achieved the acclaim it deserved. As time went by it became more obvious what a gem “The Kids” was.

I bumped into Steve again last year (2000), on a train heading to London, and were discussing how collectable the single had become, particularly in Japan, where it was changing hands for in excess of £100.

Earlier this year he rang me to tell me FAST CARS had been approached by
Detour Records to release an album of all their old material, and how excited the band were to get the opportunity to prove they were much more than a one single outfit.

This album contains almost all the songs FAST CARS played at gigs up and down the Country from March 1978 until December 1980, and is a true representation of the band I remember.

It maybe 21 years late, but at last they get their chance to be heard  “ FAST CARS are
COMING .... READY OR NOT !!

Marc (Lard) Riley, BBC Radio One May 2001
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THE POWERPOP BAND FROM MANCHESTER UK
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