After The Fire

Formed by Peter Banks (keyboards, vocals) in London in 1972, After the Fire evolved from progressive rock to new wave, undergoing several incarnations as the musicians changed. With the arrival of bassist Andy Piercy on guitar, the band tasted success with the album Signs of Change (1978), still marked by long instrumental developments. Its successor, Laser Love (1979), which included the hits "One Rule for You" (No. 40) and its title track (No. 62), completes the group's move towards a shorter pop-rock style, with the help of producers Muff Winwood, Rupert Hine, Rhett Davies and John Leckie. The following albums, 80-f (1980) and Batteries Not Included (1981), anticipated the cover of Falco's hit "Der Kommissar", which reached No. 5 in the U.S. when the band broke up in 1982. A compilation was soon released under this title in the UK, and ATF (short for the band's name) in the US. Despite this belated recognition, the musicians did not reverse their decision and pursued other activities until Peter Banks and guitarist John Russell reunited the band two decades later, resulting in the live album Live at Greenbelt (2005), followed by the final studio recording, ATF2 (2006). Concerts kept the British band's flame burning until 2013.