The Quick (British band)
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Quick was a British new wave pop duo consisting of vocalist Colin "Col" Campsie and bassist/keyboardist George McFarlane. Their most notable achievement in the United States came in 1981 when the track "Zulu" held the number one position on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for a duration of two weeks.
Career
After meeting in California in 1978, McFarlane and Campsie began working together upon their return to England. They initially formed the band Grand Hotel alongside guitarist/keyboardist Ivan Penfold and drummer Graham Broad. With additional support from guitarists Rob Greene and Danny McIntosh Jr., they released the album Do Not Disturb under CBS UK in early 1979. Later that year, Campsie and McFarlane adopted the name The Quick. Their first single under this new moniker, "Sharks Are Cool, Jets Are Hot," was released by Epic Records in 1979. In 1981, "Hip Shake Jerk" climbed to number 12 on the Australian charts, which led to the release of their debut album On the Uptake in that market. This album was subsequently remixed and issued as One Light in a Blackout in Canada and as Fascinating Rhythm across Europe before its broader release in 1982, featuring the US dance chart-topping single "Zulu." Another single, "Rhythm of the Jungle," reached number 13 in Australia and also charted in Europe. Their initial style blended elements of funk, dance, and new wave, emphasizing bass and keyboard instrumentation.
By the early 1980s, Campsie and McFarlane expanded their roles to include production work, notably for the band Endgames. The Quick’s sophomore album, International Thing (Epic, 1984), marked a stylistic transition from dance-oriented music toward mainstream AOR with a stronger rock influence. During this time, they maintained a close professional association with the British duo Go West. Their final album as The Quick, Wah Wah (A&M Records, 1986), produced by Phil Thornalley of The Cure, further incorporated a heavier rock sound while preserving melodic pop sensibilities. The production employed dense 'wall of sound' layering techniques reminiscent of Trevor Horn’s work on Yes’s 90125.
Upon relocating back to Los Angeles, Campsie and McFarlane teamed up with producer Gardner Cole to form Giant Steps in 1988, releasing The Book of Pride through A&M Records. This project represented a return to their dance and funk origins with contemporary rhythms and keyboard-driven arrangements inspired by artists such as Prince, Morris Day & the Time, and Ready for the World. In 1989, they recorded three additional tracks under Giant Steps with R&B producer Preston Glass; however, a follow-up album was never released.
Between 1990 and 2010, Campsie was married to British singer Beverley Craven. Meanwhile, McFarlane continues his work via his London-based enterprise Song-Creator as a songwriter, producer, programmer, arranger, and consultant. His compositions have been featured on prominent television programs including CSI NY, The Late Show with David Letterman, Two and a Half Men, Sex and the City, American Idol, Good Morning America, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Girls Can't Help It
In the early 1980s, Campsie and McFarlane established the pop group Girls Can't Help It, which included members Belinda “Billie” Adams, Katy Lynne, and Peggy Sue Fender. Their debut single "Baby Doll" reached the top ten on Billboard's Disco/Dance chart. This success led to a contract with Sire Records and the release of "Rhythm of the Jungle".
Discography
Albums
- 1981: On the Uptake
- 1982: Fascinating Rhythm
- 1984: International Thing
- 1986: Wah Wah
Singles
- 1979: "Sharks Are Cool, Jets Are Hot"
- 1980: "Hip Shake Jerk" - AUS No. 12, NZ No. 32
- 1980: "Young Men Drive Fast"
- 1980: "Ship to Shore"
- 1981: "Zulu" - US Dance No. 1
- 1982: "Rhythm of the Jungle" - AUS No. 13, NL No. 9, UK No. 41, US Dance No. 14
- 1982: "Touch"
- 1984: "International Thing"
- 1984: "Missing You Now"
- 1985: "Down the Wire" - UK No. 88
- 1986: "Bed of Nails"
- 1986: "We Can Learn from This"
- 1987: "I Needed You, You Needed Me"
BBC session
Around 1984, The Quick recorded a session for BBC radio. Five tracks from this session were later included on their 1986 album Wah Wah:
- "The Big Decision"
- "Sharon"
- "Down the Wire"
- "We Can Learn from This"
- "Heaven and Earth"
See also
- Giant Steps (band)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart