The Caretaker Race were an English indie pop band formed in East London in 1986 when singer/guitarist Andy Strickland (also a part-time music journalist) left The Loft. Strickland recruited Dave Mew (drums), Henry Hersom (bass guitar), and Sally Ward (keyboards). The band's name came from a Star Trek paperback adventure.
Gaining comparisons with The Go-Betweens, they initially released a brace of singles on their own Roustabout Records label before signing to the Foundation label in 1989. Hersom left to join Bob, his replacement being ex-Flatmates bassist Jackie Carrera, After two more singles on Foundation, the Stephen Street-produced album Hangover Square was released in 1990. Sally Ward left to take up teaching, to be replaced by Andrew Deevey. The band split up in 1991.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played a few singles from the group in 1988 and was probably aware of singer Andy Strickland's links to The Loft, who were on the Creation Records label between 1984 and 1985.
Shows Played[]
- 25 July 1988: Anywhere But Home (12") Roustabout
- 02 August 1988: Anywhere But Home (7") Roustabout
- 09 August 1988: Somewhere On Sea (12") Roustabout
- 30 August 1988: Anywhere But Home (12") Roustabout
- 05 September 1988: Somewhere On Sea (12") Roustabout