After playing together for four years in Rhyl, Wales, first, as a punk band called The Toilets and then as a mod group called Seventeen, the quartet of Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie MacDonald, and Nigel Twist made a fresh start as The Alarm after Dexys Midnight Runners fired them as a support band on a UK tour because they were not good enough.
Moving to London in 1981, the band immersed itself in live work, and after playing support slots for The Jam, U2 and The Beat (and gaining music press support), they signed to Miles Copeland’s IRS Records.
Their first taste of chart success came in October 1983 when 68 Guns reached #17 in the UK, helped by their first Top of the Pops appearance.
A debut album (Declaration) was released in February 1984, peaking at #6 in the UK and demonstrating an anthemic rock approach which would always remain in the shadow of U2 and Simple Minds throughout the band’s career.
Subsequent albums (many of them paying homage to their native homeland of Wales) and large-scale tours – including two nights supporting Queen at Wembley Stadium – did not elevate The Alarm to the level of bonafide rock legends (like, for example, U2 – from whom The Alarm drew their inspiration).
The band played its last gig at the Brixton Academy in London in June 1991. Mike Peters re-formed the band in 2001 with entirely new personnel.
Mike Peters was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 and lived with lymphocytic leukaemia for 30 years. He passed away on 28 April 2025, aged 66.
Mike Peters
Vocals, guitar
Dave Sharp Guitar, vocals
Eddie MacDonald Bass, vocals
Nigel Twist Drums, vocals
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Moving to London in 1981, the band immersed itself in live work, and after playing support slots for The Jam, U2 and The Beat (and gaining music press support), they signed to Miles Copeland’s IRS Records.
