Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Formed in May 1977 to back Elvis Costello, the Attractions provided sympathetic support to the singer's contrasting, and often demanding, compositions. Steve Nieve (b. Steven Nason; keyboards), Bruce Thomas (b. Stockton on Tees, Cleveland, England; bass) and Pete Thomas (b. 9 August 1954, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England; drums) were already experienced musicians—Bruce Thomas with the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, Pete Thomas with Chilli Willi And The Red Hot Peppers and John Stewart—while Nieve's dexterity on keyboards added colour to many of the unit's exemplary releases. In 1980 the Attractions completed a low-key album, MAD ABOUT THE WRONG BOY, but their position as Costello's natural backing group became increasingly unsure as their leader embarked on a plethora of guises. Nieve recorded a solo collection, PLAYBOY (1987) and later led the houseband, along with Pete Thomas as Steve Nieve And The Playboys, on television's JONATHAN ROSS SHOW, while Bruce Thomas began a literary career with THE BIG WHEEL (1990), an impressionistic autobiography.