John Peel Night

Event information

Blue Orchids are a British Post-punk band formed in Manchester, England in 1979, when Martin Bramah decided to quit The Fall having recorded that band’s debut album Live at the Witch Trials. Bramah teamed up with keyboardist Una Baines, also an ex-Fall member, guitarist Rick Goldstraw, bassist Steve Toyne and drummer Ian Rogers (AKA Joe Kin). Punk poet John Cooper Clark christened them Blue Orchids. They signed to Rough Trade Records, and in November 1980 they released their debut single, a double A side, “The Flood / Disney Boys“. After this release Steve Toyne left the band and Rick Goldstraw took over the bass playing duties. Later in February 1981 they released their second single “Work“.
‘Work’ was much liked by the late John Peel who played it regularly after its release. The band’s music came to the attention of Echo & the Bunnymen, who subsequently invited Blue Orchids to be the support act for Echo & the Bunnymen’s 1981 UK tour. Also after the release of ‘Work’ the Blue Orchids recorded the first of their Peel Sessions for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 programme.