China Crisis

Part of a thriving post-punk/new wave scene in 1980s Liverpool, China Crisis created an edgy take on new romantic pop that was more experimental, political and melancholy than most other artists of the time. Led by Gary Daly (vocals, keyboards) and Eddie Lundon (guitar), the band's soulful synth-pop sound drew from David Bowie, Brian Eno and Stevie Wonder and helped them land a deal with Virgin Records for debut album Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms.(1982). Their major breakthrough came when Christian and Wishful Thinking became hits and second album Working With Fire And Steel (1983) made the UK Top 20; but it was follow-up Flaunt The Imperfection (1985) which proved to be their finest moment. Produced by Steely Dan bassist Walter Becker, it was regarded as a slick and stylish 1980s pop gem that reached Number 9 in the UK charts and included the popular singles "Black Man Ray", "King In A Catholic Style" and "You Did Cut Me". Success dwindled in the 1990s and drummer Kevin Wilkinson later committed suicide; but Daly and Lundon continued to keep different versions of the band going and they released their seventh studio album Autumn In The Neighbourhood in 2014.