The Members

The Members
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1976
Headquarters	Camberley, Surrey, England
Products	Music albums, singles

The Members are a punk group originating from Camberley, Surrey, England, recognized in the UK primarily for their 1979 hit single "The Sound of the Suburbs" (which reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart) and in Australia for their 1982 track "Radio" (peaking at No. 5).

Career

Established in 1976 by lyricist Nick Tesco (real name Nick Lightowlers) following a London audition, the band's initial roster featured Tesco on vocals, Gary Baker on guitar, Steve Morley handling bass duties, and drums initially played by Steve Maycock, later replaced by Clive Parker. Subsequently, Morley and Parker were succeeded by Chris Payne and Adrian Lillywhite respectively. That same year, Jean Marie Carroll (also known as JC Carroll) joined as a composer, enriching their musical style. Their debut release, "Fear on the Streets," produced by Steve Lillywhite, appeared on Beggars Banquet's punk compilation Streets (1977). The songwriting duo of Tesco and Carroll infused reggae elements into their sound, notably on their first single for Stiff Records, "Solitary Confinement," produced by Larry Wallis. The lineup eventually stabilized with Tesco (vocals), Carroll (composer/guitar), Nigel Bennett (guitar), Payne (bass), and Lillywhite (drums).

During 1978 and 1979, The Members became a staple of London's pub and club scenes, attracting media interest and gaining support from John Peel. They secured a deal with Virgin Records and released "The Sound of the Suburbs," produced by Steve Lillywhite, which became their most successful UK single. Their subsequent release, "Offshore Banking Business," penned by Carroll with reggae influences inspired by his time at Coutts private bank, did not achieve comparable chart success but was featured in the film Urgh! A Music War.

Their first album At the Chelsea Nightclub was succeeded by 1980 – The Choice Is Yours. Adding saxophonists Steve (Rudi) Thomson and Simon Lloyd—who also contributed keyboards—they recorded their final album initially issued in the US as Uprhythm, Downbeat (1982) and later released in the UK under the title Going West (1983). This record included singles such as "Radio," which reached the Australian top five, and "Working Girl," whose music video received airtime on MTV across North America.

Following a US tour in 1983, the band dissolved after Tesco's departure. JC Carroll transitioned into fashion with The Dispensary and collaborated on film soundtracks alongside Stephen Malit and Julien Temple. Adrian Lillywhite joined King for their sophomore album while Simon Lloyd became part of Australian band Icehouse during their international successes with "Electric Blue" and "Crazy." Tesco appeared in the 1989 film Leningrad Cowboys Go America, leading to an actual tour of the fictional band featured in the movie as well as a music video directed by Aki Kaurismäki for Tesco’s track "Thru the Wire." Later on, Tesco pursued music journalism at Music Week and contributed commentary to BBC 6 Music’s program "Roundtable."

Reunion incarnation

In 2008, the original Members lineup reunited for two performances before Jean Marie Carroll, Chris Payne, and Nick Cash resumed touring activities. In 2009, they issued the single "International Financial Crisis," a reworked version of "Offshore Banking Business," recorded by Tesco, Carroll, Payne, and Bennett with cover art created by Malcolm Garrett, who designed their original album sleeves. This ensemble played at major festivals including Glastonbury and Isle of Wight. Between 2010 and 2013, Carroll, Payne, and Rat Scabies toured extensively across Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Nick Cash rejoined the group in 2014.

March 2012 saw the release of their fourth studio album InGrrLand, featuring Carroll, Payne, Bennett, Cash, and Rat Scabies. Nigel Bennett returned to the fold in December 2013. In 2014, Carroll (handling bass and lead vocals), Bennett (lead guitar), and Cash (drums) completed a 23-date tour across the United States—their first since three decades prior.

Work commenced on their fifth studio album in 2015 at studios located in London and West Byfleet with Carroll, Cash, Payne, Bennett alongside guest musicians Guy Pratt and Steve Brookes. Released early in 2016, One Law, produced by Carroll himself, garnered attention from publications such as Louder Than War, The Aberdeen Voice, Record Collector, and Vive Le Rock.

In 2021, The Members unveiled their seventh studio album titled Bedsitland, coinciding with JC Carroll’s comprehensive band biography Still Annoying the Neighbours. Since reforming, they have performed internationally and continue to tour regularly aside from a pause due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On 26 February 2022, Nick Tesco passed away at age 67. Tributes were paid to him during BBC Radio’s Sounds of the 70's show by Johnnie Walker and JC Carroll.

Line-ups

1976	1976	1977	1977
Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitar Steve Morley – bass guitar Steve Maycock – drums and percussion	Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitar Steve Morley – bass guitar Clive Parker – drums and percussion	Nicky Tesco – vocals Gary Baker – guitar Steve Morley – bass guitar Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion	Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Gary Baker – guitar Steve Morley – bass guitar Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals
1977–1978	1978–1981	1981	1981–1983
Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Gary Baker – guitar Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals	Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitar and backing vocals	Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitar and backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Adam Maitland – horns	Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitar and backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Simon Lloyd – keyboards and horns
1983	1983–2007	2007	2008
Nicky Tesco – lead vocals JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitar and backing vocals Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns Simon Lloyd – keyboards and horns Chuck Sabo – drums and percussion	Disbanded	Nicky Tesco – lead vocals Adrian Lillywhite – drums and percussion JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nigel Bennett – guitar and backing vocals	JC Carroll – guitar and lead vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nick Cash – drums and percussion
2009	2009–2010	2010–2013	2013–Dec.2013
Nicky Tesco – lead vocals JC Carroll – guitar and backing vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nick Cash – drums and percussion	JC Carroll – guitar and lead vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Nick Cash – drums and percussion	JC Carroll – guitar and lead vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Rat Scabies – drums and percussion	JC Carroll – guitar and lead vocals Chris Payne – bass and backing vocals Rat Scabies – drums and percussion Steve "Rudi" Thompson – horns
Dec.2013–2014	2014	2014	2014
JC Carroll – guitar, lead vocals Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals Nick Cash, drums, percussion Nigel Bennett, guitar, backing vocals	JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals Nick Cash, drums, percussion Nigel Bennett, guitar, backing vocals Calle Engelmarc, bass, backing vocals	* JC Carroll, bass, lead vocals * Nick Cash, drums, backing/percussion * Nigel Bennett, guitar, backing	* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Nick Cash, drums, backing/percussion * Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals
2014–2015	2016	2016	2016
* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Nick Cash, drums, backing/percussion * Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals * Paddy Carroll, guitar, backing vocals	* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Nick Cash, drums, backing/percussion * Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals * Nigel Bennett, guitar, backing vocals	* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals * Dan Heatly, drums, backing/percussion	* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Calle Engelmarc, bass, backing vocals * Nick Cash, drums, percussion
2017–2020	2020–2022	2022 (199 club reunion)	2022–present
* JC Carroll, guitar, lead vocals * Calle Engelmarc, guitar, backing vocals * Nick Cash, drums, percussion * Chris Payne, bass, backing vocals	* JC Carroll, guitar, vocal duties * Nick Cash, drums, percussion * Chris Payne, bass, vocal duties	* JC Carroll, guitar, vocal duties * Nick Cash, drums, percussion * Chris Payne, bass, vocal duties * Adrian Lillywhite, drums, percussion * Steve "Rudi" Thompson, horns * Nigel Bennett, guitar, backing vocals * Calle Engelmarc, guitar, backing vocals * Paddy Carroll, guitar, backing vocals	* JC Carroll, guitar, vocal duties * Nick Cash, drums, percussion * Chris Payne, bass, vocal duties

Albums

Release Year	Album Name	UK Chart Position	Record Label
1979	At the Chelsea Nightclub	45	Stiff/Virgin
1980	1980 – The Choice Is Yours	-	Virgin
1982	Uprhythm, Downbeat	-	Virgin
1995	Sound of the Suburbs (Best Of)	-	Virgin
2010	Live in Berlin	-	Smash The System
2012	Ingrrland	-	AngloCentric
2016	One Law	-	AngloCentric – Cadiz Music
2016	At The Luton Hat Factory	-	AngloCentric
2018	Greatest Hits (all the Singles)	-	AngloCentric – Cadiz Music
2019	Version	-	Cleopatra Records
2019	InGrrLand (vinyl edition)	-	Cleopatra Records
2021	Bedsitland (vinyl, CD, Digital)	-	AngloCentric Records
2024	Greetings From knowhere	-	AngloCentric Records

Singles

Release Year	Single Title	UK Chart	UK Indie Chart	US Main Chart	Australia Chart

|- | 1979 || "Solitary Confinement" || - || - || - || - |- | 1979 || "The Sound of the Suburbs" || 12 || - || - || - |- | 1979 || "Offshore Banking Business" || 31 || - || - || - |- | 1979 || "Killing Time" || - || - || - || - |- | 1980 || "Romance" || - || - || - || - |- | 1980 || "Flying Again" || - || - || - || - |- | 1981 || "Working Girl" || 114 || 41 || 34 || - |- | 1982 || "Radio" || - || - || - || 5 |- | 2009 || "International Financial Crisis" || - || - || - || - |- | 2011 || "New English Blues" || - || - || - || - |- | 2015 || "(I Love my) English Girls" || - || - || - || - |- | 2016 || "Emotional Triggers c/w Apathy in the UK"|| -||-||-||- |- | 2016 || "Incident at Surbiton (3 Mixes)"||-||-||-||- |- | 2018 || "Smartphone Junkie c/w Non. Je ne Regrette Rien"||-||-||-||- |- | 2019 || "When U were mine c/w Ever Fallen in Love in Love"||-||-||-||- |- |}

Compilation Contributions

Streets (Beggars Banquet, 1977; includes track "Fear on the Streets")
The Moonlight Tapes (Danceville Records, 1977; features "Rat Up a Drainpipe")
The Sound of the Suburbs (Columbia Records MOOD18, 1991; contains "The Sounds of the Suburbs")

External links