Sniff'N The Tears
This London group was formed from the Ashes of Moon in 1974 only to disband within months after thwarted attempts to gain a recording contract. Its principal composer, Paul Roberts (vocals), returned to the world of art where his paintings had been exhibited in many European capitals. However, with the advent of the late '70s new wave, drummer Luigi Salvoni listened again to the 1974 demos and persuaded Roberts (then resident in France) to try again with Mick Dyche (guitar), Laurence Netto (guitar), Keith Miller (keyboards) and Nick South (bass). After another self-financed studio session, they were signed to Chiswick Records in the summer of 1978. One of Roberts' magnificent paintings graced the sleeve of FICKLE HEART (produced by Salvoni) from which the catchy Driver's Seat was a hit in the USA and Australia while faltering just outside the UK Top 40. 1980's THE GAME'S UP compounded Billboard's comparison of them to Dire Straits. They began a downward spiral with RIDE BLUE DIVIDE (with Lew Lewis on harmonica) the last album to make a moderate commercial impact.