Alongside Postcard labelmates such as Orange Juice, Fire Engines were part of a burgeoning Scottish music scene in the early 1980s. Formed in 1979 by David “Davy” Henderson (vocals, guitar), Murray Slade (guitar), Graham Main (bass) and Russell Burn (drums), the band’s debut surfaced on the independent label Codex Communications in late 1980.
Debut single Get Up and Use Me was a manic burst of estranged, frenetic guitar broken by sharp vocal outbursts. It earned the group considerable coverage in the music press with NMEawarding it “Single of the Week”.
The largely instrumental album, Lubricate Your Living Room (subtitled Background Music for Action People!) was released in 1981.
Their most successful single was Candy Skin (1981), but after the follow-up, Big Gold Dream, failed to repeat its success, the band split up in December 1981.
The band reformed in 2004 and released a limited-edition collaboration single with Franz Ferdinand. They continued to play occasional concerts until 2006.
David “Davy” Henderson
Vocals, guitar Murray Slade
Guitar Graham Main
Bass Russell Burn
Drums
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