Combining light
funk with frothy
pop,
Haircut 100 was one of the cleanest and most accessible
new wave groups. Formed in 1980, the British band's core members were vocalist
Nick Heyward, bassist
Les Nemes, and guitarist
Graham Jones; the following year, drummer
Memphis Blair Cunningham, saxophonist
Phil Smith, and percussionist
Mark Fox joined the group. Once the band was signed to Arista Records, they were put under the direction of producer
Bob Sargeant, who helped them polish their stylish
pop. Released in late 1981,
Haircut 100's first single, "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," managed to reach number four in the U.K., establishing the group's widespread appeal. The band released their debut album, Pelican West, in early 1982. Their next single, "Love Plus One," was a bigger hit, making the band one of the hottest British
pop groups of the year. However, their momentum crashed to a halt when
Heyward decided to pursue a solo career.
Fox became the lead vocalist in early 1983, yet
Haircut 100 could not replicate their previous success; they broke up after the release of their second album, 1984's Paint and Paint. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide