In Camera were an English post-punk group, comprising David Steiner (vocals, keyboards), Andrew Gray (guitar), Pete Moore (bass), and Jeff Wilmott (drums), formed in London in 1978 and signed to the 4AD label. The band split in 1981 after releasing only one single and two EPs (the final one being released posthumously).
The seeds of the group were sown when youthful drummer Jeff Wilmott introduced aspiring bass guitar player Pete Moore to singer David Steiner; through this nucleus the addition of guitarist Andrew Gray became possible. After an incendiary performance at 'Billy's' in Soho, London opening for Bauhaus, In Camera were signed by that group's record label, 4AD.
In Camera released a 7" single, "Final Achievement"/"Die Laughing" in June 1980, followed six months later by the four-track EP IV Songs. Various gigs materialised throughout England, culminating at the end of 1980 in a John Peel session. This resulted in the release of the session on 12" as the EP Fin; the recording being the final vinyl document of the band before their non-acrimonious split in 1981.
A retrospective, 13 (Lucky for Some), was released in 1992 on CD. All releases were on the 4AD label.
In March 2015, 4AD announced a pre-order for Era, an anthology of In Camera’s pre-1981 material featuring previously unheard tracks, rehearsal tapes, live recordings and demos, via direct-to-fan platform PledgeMusic. Era was released in June 2015 on digital, 2xCD and 2xLP formats.
Andrew Gray went on to join the Wolfgang Press.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played tracks from the band in the early 80's and had the group do a session for his show in 1980. After 1981, the band seemed to be largely forgotten by the DJ, according to available tracklistings on this site.
Sessions[]
IN CAMERA John Peel 9th December 1980
1. Recorded: 1980-12-09. First Broadcast: 16 December 1980. Repeated: 26 January 1981
- The Fatal Day / Co-Ordinates / Apocalypse
Other Shows Played[]
- 1980
- 21 June 1980 (BFBS): Die Laughing (7" - Final Achievement / Die Laughing) 4AD
- 05 July 1980 (BFBS): Final Achievement (7" - Final Achievement / Die Laughing) 4AD
- 15 July 1980: Final Achievement (7”) 4AD
- 30 July 1980: Final Achievement (7") 4AD
- 17 November 1980: Legion (12" EP - IV Songs) 4AD
- 22 November 1980 (BFBS): Legion (12" EP - IV Songs) 4AD
- 13 December 1980 (BFBS): Fragments Of Fear (7" EP - IV Songs) 4AD
- 15 December 1980: Fragments Of Fear (12" EP - IV Songs) 4AD
- 1981
- 25 January 1981 (BFBS): The Attic (12" EP - IV Songs) 4AD