Felt

Felt were a 1980s British alternative rock band, named after the way Tom Verlaine enunciated the word "felt" in the Television song "Venus", and led by Lawrence (his surname, Hayward, was never listed in any record credits or press). Lawrence and drummer Gary Ainge were the only constant members (though Ainge is not featured on Felt's first release, recorded solo by Lawrence before the band formed). Felt are often cited as a major influence by Be... more

Felt were a 1980s British alternative rock band, named after the way Tom Verlaine enunciated the word "felt" in the Television song "Venus", and led by Lawrence (his surname, Hayward, was never listed in any record credits or press). Lawrence and drummer Gary Ainge were the only constant members (though Ainge is not featured on Felt's first release, recorded solo by Lawrence before the band formed). Felt are often cited as a major influence by Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch, as well as by American alternative rock group The Tyde. The band released ten albums and ten singles in ten years and then disbanded. Over the course of its ten-year existence, the band included classically-trained guitarist and co-songwriter Maurice Deebank (who left in 1986), keyboard player Martin Duffy, bassist-turned-lead guitarist Marco Thomas, and a variety of other bassists and guitarists. During its years with Deebank, Felt cultivated an atmospheric, delicate sound built around Deebank's intricate... less