List of bands and artists from Merseyside

This is a list of notable bands and artists from Merseyside, North West England. For at least fifty years, the area has had a thriving pop and rock music scene, particularly since The Beatles popularised Merseybeat.

0-9

• The 747s: 2006 indie group.

A

• APAtT (a.P.A.t.T.): 2000s progressive pop/experimental rock band
• A Flock of Seagulls: 1980s new wave/synthpop band
• Alexis Blue: 2000s indie pop group
• Alternative Radio
• Alterkicks: 2000s indie rock band led by singer/songwriter Martin Stilwell
• Amsterdam: Led by singer/songwriter Ian Prowse
• Anathema: Formerly a death/doom metal band and currently alternative rock
• Apollo 440: 1990s dance act which had hits with "Ain't Talkin 'bout Dub" and "Stop the Rock"
• Atomic Kitten: Girl group formed in 1997 by OMD's Andy McCluskey
• Ian Astbury is an English rock musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist for the rock band The Cult.
• Jacqui Abbott was the female lead singer with the band The Beautiful South after 1994, following the departure of Briana Corrigan. The band were arguably more successful with Abbott on board, releasing several Top 10 singles. Amongst their most successful hits during her stint were: "Rotterdam", "Perfect 10", "Don't Marry Her" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me"

B

• The Bandits: 2000s blues rock band
• BB Mak: 1998–2003 pop/rock band, biggest hit "Back Here" was No. 1 on the US Billboard AC chart for 7 weeks; sold 3 million albums worldwide
• The Beatles: 1960s rock band
• Benny Profane: 1985–1990 indie pop band
• Big in Japan: 1970s punk band that launched the careers of Budgie, Ian Broudie, Bill Drummond, David Balfe, Jayne Casey and Holly Johnson
• The Big Three: Merseybeat band managed by Brian Epstein
• Cilla Black: 1960s singer discovered by Brian Epstein, later to become a successful television presenter
• Black: 1980s singer-songwriter best known for the hit "Wonderful Life"
• The Boo Radleys: 1980s/90s Britpop/indie rock band, biggest hit "Wake Up Boo!"
• Peter Beckett is an English musician and songwriter who has written songs for many prominent recording artists, his own bands and solo work, and for several films. He is likely best known as the lead singer and guitarist for 1970s soft rock group Player, which scored a U.S. #1 hit in 1977 with "Baby Come Back".
• The Builders formerly [Building 44] became the Builders in 1984

C

• Carol Decker lead singer with T'Pau
• Carcass: 1990s death metal band and forebears of melodic death metal
• Cast: 1990s Britpop group
• Cecil (band), rock band from Liverpool, active 1993-2000.
• China Crisis: 1980s new wave band
• The Christians: 1980s/90s soul-influenced sophisti-pop band
• Clinic: 2000s acid punk band
• The Coral: 2000s indie group inspired by old-fashioned country, 1960s-style psychedelia and folk
• Peter Edward Clarke (born 21 August 1957, in St Helens, Merseyside), better known as Budgie, is an English drummer. His first recording was with The Slits in 1979. He then became the drummer of the influential band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1979–1996) and its side-project The Creatures (1981–2004).
• Cook da Books: 1980s new wave band
• Elvis Costello: 1970s post-punk/new wave singer/songwriter/composer, has since successfully transitioned into other genres
• The Crescent: 2000s indie band influenced by the La's
• Crucial Three: 1980s "supergroup in reverse" which launched the careers of Ian McCulloch, Julian Cope and Pete Wylie
• The Cryin' Shames: 1960s pop group

D

• Dalek I Love You: 1970s synthpop precursor to Teardrop Explodes, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark & Big in Japan
• Dead or Alive: 1980s synth/dance-pop band
• The Dead 60s: Current punk/ska/reggae band
• Deaf School are an English art rock/new wave band, formed in Liverpool in 1973. Between 1976 and 1978 they recorded three albums for the Warner Brothers label, in an art rock style that had its roots in cabaret, moving towards a harder punk rock sound. The band split in 1978 but have since been recognized as an important influence on many British musicians.
• The Dennisons: 1960s Merseybeat outfit. Had two singles in the UK Singles Chart in 1963 and 1964^[1]

E

• Echo & the Bunnymen: 1980s post-punk band, one of the most successful and long-lived of the era
• Ellery Bop: 1980s indie band
• Electrafixion: Echo & the Bunnymen side-project
• Engine: 1979–1997 boogie-rock trio
• The Escorts: 1962–1967 band whose members later joined The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Hollies

F

• The Farm: Indie dance band, famous for the track "All Together Now"
• Faron's Flamingos: Merseybeat band whose members later graced The Peddlers and The Mojos^[2]
• Rebecca Ferguson: X Factor finalist whose debut album went platinum in its first two weeks of release. Went on to sign an international deal with EMI to take her music worldwide
• The Fourmost: 1960s Merseybeat band, managed by Brian Epstein and recorded songs written by Lennon–McCartney
• Frankie Goes to Hollywood: 1980s dance-pop band
• Billy Fury

G

• Gerry & the Pacemakers: 1960s beat group, most notable for their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone", which became an anthem for Liverpool F.C.
• Gomez: Indie rock band active since the late 1990s, Mercury Prize winners

H

• Half Man Half Biscuit: 1980s post-punk surrealist pop band from Tranmere, Birkenhead
• The Hideaways: 1960s Merseybeat band in which Ozzie Yue began his career.
• Paul Heaton is an English singer-songwriter. He was a member of The Housemartins, who disbanded in 1988, and a member of The Beautiful South, who disbanded in 2007. He is currently pursuing a solo career.
• Hot Club de Paris: 2000s indie rock band

I

• Icicle Works: 1980s power pop/new wave stalwarts, led by Ian McNabb. Reformed in 2006 for a 25th anniversary tour
• It's Immaterial

J

• Jim McCarty: best known as the drummer for The Yardbirds and Renaissance.
• Holly Johnson: Former lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, had solo hits in the late 1980s
• Simon Jones is an English bass player. He played bass and provided occasional backing vocals for the English band The Verve.

K

• Kling Klang: Experimental rock band using lots of monophonic synthesizers, drums and guitars
• Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas: Performed as 'Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas' and billed as a Merseybeat band when under Brian Epstein's management in the 1960s

L

• The La's: Late 1980s to early 1990s pop/rock band
• The Lancashire Hotpots are a comedy folk band from St Helens, Merseyside (formerly part of Lancashire), formed in December 2006.
• Lightning Seeds: Indie/pop band, whose frontman Ian Broudie wrote the "Three Lions" music for Euro '96
• The Little Flames: 1960s-inspired indie band
• The Liverbirds
• Ladytron: 2000s and 2010s electronic music band
• The Lotus Eaters: Early–mid 1980s pop/new wave band. Emerged with another album in 2001 called Silentspace
• Liverpool Express
• The Listening Pool: Former members of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
• Julian Lennon is a British musician. He is the only child of John Lennon and Cynthia Powell (his father's first wife).The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, was his godfather. His most notable songs were "Saltwater" and "too late for goodbyes".
• Levi Tafari

M

• Marseille: 1970s heavy metal band from Liverpool, featuring television celebrity Neil Buchanan
• Marsha Ambrosius: Singer-songwriter, former member of the soul/R&B duo Floetry, she released her first solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings in 2011. Her debut album topped the Billboard's R&B chart. Has been nominated for Grammy Awards
• The Maybes?: Band active since 2001
• George Melly: Jazz musician, writer and expert on surrealist art.
• The Mekano Set: Alternative Electro Post-Punk collective formed 2007
• The Merseybeats
• Miles Kane: Musician originally from the Wirral, best known as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets and former frontman of The Rascals. Formerly the vocalist and lead guitarist for The Rascals, but announced the band's break-up in August 2009. Currently pursuing a solo career, and continues to be part of his side-project, The Last Shadow Puppets. His debut solo album, Colour of the Trap, was released in May 2011
• Ministry of Love: Early to mid 1980s band. Recorded a 4 track EP with Moonlight Records called Burning and Looting. John Mcglone Rhythm guitar lead vocals, Muhammad Khalil aka Eugene Redman Lange, Vocals, occasionally drums on the odd track when Mark played guitar, and congas, Levi Tafari, Dub poetry and percussion, Hilary Sunnyside, Vocal, Tony Pearse, trumpet, Paul Thomas, alto sax, Merlin Shepard, tenor & soprano sax, Jay Caldwell Bass, Mark Parry drums,& lead guitar on some tunes, Philly Fowler rhythm guitar.
• Modern Eon: Post-punk band active 1978–1981
• Mojo Pin: Band active since 2010
• The Mojos
• Nick McCabe is an English musician best known as the lead guitarist of The Verve.

N

• Nutz: 1970s heavy rock band who released four albums and supported Black Sabbath and Budgie on tour.^[3]

O

• Oduduwa. Pan African Ensemble. Muhammad Khalil aka Eugene Redman Lange - Vocals and percussion; Levi Tafari - Dub poetry and percussion; Jennifer backing vocals, Tony Pearse - trumpet; Paul Thomas - alto sax; Lloyd Masset - bass; Karl John - congas.
• Ooberman: Indie pop band (late 1990s–2007)
• The Open: 5-piece indie band (2003–2006)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: (aka OMD) Globally successful new wave/electronic band from Wirral
• Our Kid: 1970s boy band whose hit "You Just Might See Me Cry" went Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart

P

• The Pale Fountains: Bacharach and Love-influenced early 1980s pop group, led by Mick Head. Later metamorphosed into Shack
• Pele: 1990s Celtic pop outfit led by Ian Prowse. Released 3 albums on Polydor/M&G and had a number 1 hit, "Megalomania" in South Africa. Prowse now leads Amsterdam
• Henry Priestman: Songwriter for The Christians and member of Yachts and It's Immaterial. Now has a solo career
• Poisoned Electrick Head is an English psychedelic indie rock/punk band formed in 1986 in St Helens.

R

• The Rascals: 2000s band from Hoylake (The Wirral)
• The Real People: Proto-Britpop band from the early 1990s
• The Real Thing: Soul band who sang the 1970s classic "You To Me Are Everything"
• Red Flag: Liverpool-born and US-raised synthpop duo
• The Reynolds Girls: 1980s vocal duo signed to PWL
• The Room: Critically acclaimed (by John Peel and others) band from Liverpool, signed to Virgin 10, released three albums and several singles, one produced by Tom Verlaine, between 1980 and 1985
• River City People: a folk rock quartet formed in Liverpool in 1986 by vocalist Siobhan Maher, guitarist Tim Speed, his drummer brother Paul Speed and bassist Dave Snell
• Rooney: Released three albums from 1998 to 2000 and recorded a Radio 1 John Peel session in 1999
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
• The Runaways: UK band of the mid-1960s, better known as Bill Kenwright and the Runaways
• Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE is an English conductor. He rose to international prominence during the 1980s and 1990s as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and since 2002 has been principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic (BPO).

S

• The Scaffold: 1960s group featuring Mike McGear, Roger McGough and John Gorman. Had a number 1 with "Lily the Pink", and other hits with "Thank You Very Much", "Do You Remember?" and "mGin Gan Goolie" in the 1960s and "Liverpool Lou" in the 1970s
• The Seal Cub Clubbing Club: Current post-punk band often compared to the likes of The Fall and Radiohead
• The Searchers: 1960s Merseybeat group. No. 1 hits include "Sweets For My Sweet", "Needles and Pins" and "Don't Throw Your Love Away"
• Shack: Cult band led by Mick Head, formerly of The Pale Fountains. Influential on Britpop bands such as Oasis Noel Gallagher repaid the debt by signing them to his record label
• Short Sharp Shock: Crossover hardcore/thrash band from Wirral
• Skinny: 1995 to 1998 indie pop band later known as Monochrome
• Smaller: Mid-1990s indie band featuring Digsy of Oasis fame
• Sonia: Pop singer from the PWL stable. Born in Skem but mostly associated with Liverpool
• Space: 1990s indie band best known for "Female of the Species" and their 6 other Top 20 hit singles.
• The Spinners Liverpool folk band
• The Stands: 2000s rock & roll band led by songwriter Howie Payne. Split in 2006
• Rory Storm and the Hurricanes: Merseybeat group
• Supercharge: 1970s funk/rock band, led by Albie Donnelly and featuring Ozzie Yue
• The Swinging Blue Jeans: 1960s Merseybeat group. Top 3 hits include "Hippy Hippy Shake" and "You're No Good"
• Terry Sylvester was the English guitarist/singer with The Escorts, The Swinging Blue Jeans (1966–69) and The Hollies. In the latter guise, he took on the high parts formerly sung by Graham Nash, who had left the band in December 1968.

T

• The Teardrop Explodes: Julian Cope led an ever changing line-up mixing pop, new wave and psychedelia with surprising commercial success. Split in 1982 after two albums
• The Tempest: 1980s acoustic-pop band, signed to Magnet Records and produced by Glenn Tilbrook. Members included Ian Finney and ex-Prefab Sprout member Steve Dolder
• The Troubadours: Liverpool indie band, known for the single "Gimme Love"

U

• Ultrabeat are a British electronic music group from Liverpool, consisting of producer and vocalist Mike Di Scala and producers Ian Redman and Chris Henry.
• The Undertakers: 1960s Merseybeat group, launchpad for the careers of Jackie Lomax (bass guitar), Chris Huston (lead guitar), Geoff Nugent (rhythm guitar), Brian Jones (tenor saxophone, member of the Glitter band) and Brian (Bugs) Pemberton (drums). Today's members are Brian Jones, Geoff Nugent, Bill Good and Jimmy O'Brien (formerly New Image and Rockin Horse). Lomax rejoins the band when he is home in Liverpool

V

• Frankie Vaughan was an English singer of traditional pop music who issued more than 80 singles in his lifetime. He was known as "Mr. Moonlight" after one of his early hits.
• The Vernons Girls were an English musical ensemble of female vocalists.

W

• Wah!: Pete Wylie vehicle, variously known as Wah! Heat and The Mighty Wah!
• Wave Machines: Indie band (2007–present)
• The Wild Swans: Post-punk/new wave band
• Where's the Beach: Techno band who recorded 3 John Peel sessions and had Single Of The Week in NME for their third single 'Sex Slave Zombie'.
• Whitecliff: Hotly-tipped indie band who released their debut EP ‘Young Lovers’ on 9 October 2015. Last year they became the first signing to The Libertines’ Gary Powell’s label 25 Hour Convenience Store.
• The Wombats: Pop punk/power pop three piece consisting of Matthew Murphy, Tord Overland Knudsen and Daniel Haggis from the Paul McCartney's LIPA
• Kathryn Williams released her first album, Dog Leap Stairs on her own Caw Records label in 1999 with a budget of £80. The follow-up, Little Black Numbers, garnered a Mercury Prize nomination in 2000, bringing her to the attention of a wider public.

Z

• The Zutons: 2000s indie group inspired by 1960s psychedelia
• Zombina and the Skeletones: 2000s pop punk band

References