Foreign Press

Foreign Press rose out of the ashes of 'Emergency', the name change being partly forced due to the band '999' and their single 'Emergency' but mainly to shake of the shackles of their Punk sound and move into the Post Punk era, as their rehearsal chums Joy Division had. Foreign Press released 4 singles, the first on the indi label 'Streets Ahead' recorded at Cargo Rochdale on 25 March 1979 and produced by JD's gaffer, Rob Gretton. 'Downpour' was released in June 1979. The band had a change of line-up shorty after. In April 1981 the group were also booked by Tony Wilson to appear on Granada TVs What's On, on which they performed Remember You. During the September the band recorded their second single, recorded at Regent's Park Studios with producer Duncan Bruce, an ep, with the songs 'Climbing', 'Remember You' 'Open Secret'. A fourth track, Can You Hear Me? was also recorded. The 12" eventually appeared on Music International Records in August 1982. Bernard Sumner of New Order agreed to produce tracks for a third single, which were taped at Revolution Studio in Cheadle Hulme. Sumner: "Basically I did that because we'd known them since Joy Division days and they still had the enthusiasm. They've stuck together and they still practice together. What we did first was a demo, recorded off their own money. Then they issued the tapes out to various record companies and got some offers. They also got a deal with the guy who managed Japan, Simon Napier-Bell. They didn't go with Factory because they wanted to go with a major and try it that way". Instead the band were signed by EMI and The track 'The Great Divide' released on both 12" and 7" formats. The bands fourth and final release, again on EMI, was Produced by Dave Allen at Genetic Studios, Set Your Love In Motion b/w The Spell was finally released in October 1984. The band continued to gig as headliners and support until their demise during 1989. Original line up consisted of Ralph Bowe (vocals), Stuart Bowe (rhythm guitar) Chubb Murray (drums), Dave Midwood (Lead Guitar), John Midwood (Bass guitar). Post the Midwood brothers departure Stuart Smith (lead Guitar) and Les Carey (Bass) joined. In the later stages both Smith and Carey left and Derek Johnson joined on Bass.