The Farmer's Boys

The band's first single, "I Think I Need Help", was released in April 1982. In January 1983, "More Than a Dream" was re-issued as their first single for EMI. Several more singles and two albums, Get Out and Walk and With These Hands were released before the band split in 1985, citing the enigmatical reason of "electrical differences". Their music received its first radio-play in 1981, round what was then a post-punk era, where the harder sounds of the Diagram Bros. and The Cravats seemed to be more fashionable. The softer pop sound of this Norwich band, although less popular upon arrival, could well today be seen as a prototype for bands such as The Housemartins and certainly The Higsons. Indeed, the influence is rarely noted but evident upon close listening. There was a cross-pollination between styles. They also recorded notable BBC Sessions at Maida Vale studios for John Peel, the last of which featured early versions of "Sport for All" and "Heartache" [BBC, John Peel, 1984]. Their work became very influential upon the Norwich scene, as previously mentioned with The Higsons and other offshoot outfits such as Ronnie Can You Hear Me. Baz and Mark went on to form The Avons in 1985.[1] Mark later joined The Nivens. Stan formed Dr Fondle. Frog joined The Higsons and played keyboards in a Julian Cope tour in the late '80s and original guitarist Andy left early on to join Serious Drinking.[1]

A concert was recorded and broadcast from the Lyceum Theatre in London on 7 September 1983. The Farmer's Boys played the second half-hour, whilst another Norwich band The Higsons played the first half. Tracks played:

1. "Whatever Is He Like?"
2. "Matter of Fact"
3. "Who Needs It?" (with Terry Edwards from The Higsons on saxophone)
4. "More Than a Dream" (with Terry Edwards on saxophone)
5. "I Woke Up This Morning"
6. "Soft Drink"
7. "The Way You Made Me Cry"
8. "For You"

• The Farmer’s Boys Official/Unofficial site
• The Great Outdoors (Wayback Machine archive)