The Lads – Some Demos (1987-1988)

‘The split of FGTH and the legal episodes aside marked the beginning of solo careers of both Holly Johnson and Paul Rutherford. Holly teamed up with producers Steve Lovell (who once played the guitar in the pre-FGTH Hollycaust), Stephen Hague and the late Dan Hartman and went on to release several singles which included the massive hits, Love Train & Americanos. Holly also went onto to release four solo albums (Blast, 1989; Hollelujah, remix compilation album, 1990; Dreams That Money Can't Buy, 1991; and Soulstream, 1999). Paul Rutherford released three relatively unsuccessful ABC produced singles, none of which were hits although Get Real, his first release was a club hit abroad, the album Oh World (1989) followed.

‘The lads, O'Toole, Nash, and Gill, were determined to go on after Liverpool as Frankie Goes To Hollywood with a new singer. They continued to use the name and aired an ad on Music Box in 1987 asking for interested singers to apply for the job. The ad featured some demo take-outs which sounded like the Liverpool-Frankie. The Lads set up offices in Kensington and also advertised in the music press for a new singer. During a period of two years, two singers were successfully recruited: first came Dee (Dave) Harris (ex-Fashion), then Grant Boult in 1988. During this time the Lads came up against an issue with them continuing to use the name FGTH. Holly, back in 1984 had, without informing the rest of the band registered the F.G.T.H. name as a Limited Company, some dismay was expressed when the rest of the band discovered this but it was agreed between them all that a contract should be drawn up between Holly and the rest of the band that in essence stated that no-one person could leave and continue to use the FGTH name without the permission of each other. Now, as the lads were using the name after Holly left, they kept this agreement in mind and approached Paul Rutherford, who had no objections to them continuing with the name, they then approached Holly’s lawyers for his approval, a condition on the possible use of the band name was came the reply, it was felt by the Lads that any conditions would be unworkable and they declined the offer.

‘Mark, Ped, Nasher & Grant were now without a band name but booked themselves into studios in Camden (London), under various name (Slapper, Trout & Pike and The Shuffle Brothers being two) and continued to record & write songs with Grant being the main singer & lyricist. Songs recorded at the time included such titles as; Tearing My Soul Apart, England In The Rain, Love Come Back In Fashion, Deep Inside A Bad Dream, Boss Dog, I Want You and the wonderfully Franki’esque sounding, Suck On This.’

Some Demos (1987-1988)

- Boss Dog Symphony (Instr.)

- Boss Dog Symphony (Vox)

- In the Coolest Winter

- In God We Trust

- Untitled

lads

(see: http://www.steveirving.entadsl.com/FGTH/html/fgth_history5.html )