Inca Babies
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Manchester, England |
| Founder | Bill Marten, Harry Stafford, Julian Woropay, Alan Brown |
| Defunct | 1988 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2007 |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
Area served | UK, Europe, United States, Russia, India |
Key people | Harry Stafford (founding member, guitar, vocals), Rob Haynes (drums), David Carmichael (bass), Jim Adama (guitar) |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
Number of employees | 4 (current band members) |
| Website | www |
Inca Babies is a post-punk group originating from Manchester, England, that was first active from 1982 until 1988 before reuniting in 2007 with founding member Harry Stafford (guitar, vocals). The current ensemble features Rob Haynes on drums, David Carmichael handling bass duties, and Jim Adama on guitar. They have produced multiple albums and maintain an active touring schedule throughout the UK and Europe.
History
The band was established in Manchester's Hulme district by Bill Marten (bass), Harry Stafford (guitar), Julian Woropay (vocals), and Alan Brown (drums). Their sound was shaped by influences including Link Wray, The Cramps, The Gun Club, and The Birthday Party. November 1983 saw the release of their first single, "The Interior," on their independent label Black Lagoon. Following personnel changes that brought in Mike Keeble as vocalist and Pete Bogg on drums, their debut album Rumble appeared in 1985. Over a span of five years, Inca Babies issued six singles and four albums; the 1988 release Evil Hour featured keyboard contributions from Clint Boon of Inspiral Carpets.
Between 1984 and 1987, the band recorded four sessions for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 program. After the release of Evil Hour, they dissolved in the late 1980s. Subsequently, Stafford and Marten formed Houndgod With A Tumour, which released Autograph My CIA Assassination Manual in 1989. The Inca Babies reunited in 2007 for a concert in Munich commemorating the 20th anniversary of their booking agency IBD, which had initially arranged their overseas gigs. Following this event, Stafford brought drummer Rob Haynes on board as a permanent member.
After original bassist Bill Marten passed away in 2008, Vince Hunt joined the lineup to complete the band's first album in twenty years and participated in European tours during 2009 and 2010. In April 2012, they issued a limited double A-side vinyl single titled "My Sick Suburb/Tower of Babel" through Black Lagoon Records for Record Store Day; the tracks reflect on Hulme Crescent flats in Manchester, a significant location during their early days.
That same year, Inca Babies toured extensively across the UK and Europe—including stops in Italy, Poland, and The Netherlands—and performed a singular show in Los Angeles. They released Re-Peeled, a CD featuring re-recorded material from their John Peel sessions. Later in 2012 came the album Deep Dark Blue, followed by wide-ranging tours throughout Europe, Russia, and the United States during 2013.
In 2014, they put out the vinyl-exclusive EP Scatter for Record Store Day alongside their third album since reuniting, The Stereo Plan. Expanding their reach internationally, the band performed at Russia’s Deathcave festival as headliners and appeared at India’s Saarang global culture festival in early 2015.
Following The Stereo Plan, Stafford focused on solo projects while Haynes toured with The Membranes and Hunt joined Martin Bramah’s Blue Orchids. In August 2017, Inca Babies appeared at Blackpool’s Rebellion festival and played a show in Naples, Italy.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiatus but also provided an opportunity to record Swamp Street Soul at Simon 'Ding' Archer’s 6 dB studios in Salford during lockdown. Released in November 2021 via Black Lagoon, this album included the single "Walk in the Park" along with digital re-recordings of earlier songs.
Towards the end of 2021, the band performed live tributes honoring BBC DJ John Peel and continue to remain active. Their ninth studio album, Ghost Mechanic Nine, was released in 2024 on Black Lagoon Records BLRCD0060—showcasing a rawer sound that echoes their early style.
The band's 2025 release titled Reincarnation consists of remixed and re-recorded versions of tracks drawn from their back catalogue. Harry Stafford explained that this project aimed to make these songs accessible both digitally and on vinyl for loyal listeners. Additionally, "Candy Mountain," originally from their 1986 album This Train, was issued as a single in September 2025.
Discography
All records released under Black Lagoon unless otherwise indicated. Chart rankings refer to the UK Indie Chart.
Albums
- Rumble (1985) (peaked at #3)
- This Train (1986)
- Opium Den mini-LP (1987)
- Evil Hour (1988)
- 1983–87 – Plutonium (2006) released by Anagram
- Death Message Blues (2010) on Black Lagoon
- Deep Dark Blue (2012) Black Lagoon (catalogue number BL0049)
- The Stereo Plan (2014) Black Lagoon (BL0051)
- Swamp Street Soul (2021) Black Lagoon (BL0056)
- Ghost Mechanic Nine (2024) Black Lagoon (BL0060)
- Reincarnation (2025) Black Lagoon (BL0061)
Singles and EPs
- The Interior (1983)
- Grunt Cadillac (1984) reached #6
- Big Jugular EP (1984) peaked at #13
- The Judge (1984) reached #8
- Surfin' in Locustland EP (1985) charted at #11
- Splatter Ballistics Cop (1986) peaked at #24
- Buster's on Fire (1987) released by Constrictor
- My Sick Suburb'/Tower of Babel (2012) on Black Lagoon
- Re-Peeled CD EP featuring Brother Rat, Daniella, The Depths, and She Mercenary (Black Lagoon BL0050)
- Scatter EP (2014) Black Lagoon, limited edition clear vinyl
- Panthers/Devil in My Room (2015) Black Lagoon, limited 7" red vinyl pressing
- Walk in the Park (2021) issued by Black Lagoon
- Digital-only releases via Bandcamp:*
- Crawling Garage Gasoline/Grunt Cadillac Hotel (2021)
- Spacewalk (2024)
- Ghost Mechanic 9 (2024)
- Candy Mountain (2025)
- Two Rails to Nowhere (2025)
DVD and Video Appearances
- Blood on the Cats released on VHS
- Jerico, included in the DVD compilation In Goth Daze – The Gothic Video (2003), distributed by Cherry Red
External links
- Official website
- Inca Babies profile at TrouserPress