The Kingfishers came together in March 1982 after Article 58 split up, with Douglas MacIntyre and Ewan MacLennan hooking up with Kenny Blythe and Robert Mccormick from Restricted Code. Article 58 had released a single (Event To Come) produced by Alan Horne and Malcolm Ross, which was released on Josef K manager Allan Campbell’s Rational Records label.
In spring 1982 The Kingfishers entered the studio to record songs at Emblem Sound in Strathaven and the Hellfire Club in Glasgow, where their naiveté merged with melody to create ideas for a lyrical song cycle album centered on the loss of innocence and youth. Rather preternatural as they were only 20 years old and rather gauche rural boys, but felt a longing for something they didn’t understand - a yearning that manifested itself in the music they were making.
The musical environment in Scotland was changing: in Edinburgh both Josef K and Fire Engines had split up, whilst Orange Juice had left Postcard and signed with a major label. Postcard was talking up the remaining groups; Aztec Camera, the Bluebells and Jazzateers and had repositioned itself in the media as Postcard International and looked to license recordings by its artists to majors. In Glasgow the second generation Postcard influence was coming through with the Bluebells, Friends Again, Strawberry Switchblade and the Kingfishers attracting press attention, radio play and major record company interest. The Bluebells, Friends Again and Strawberry Switchblade eventually signed to major labels, whilst the Kingfishers received demo time paid for by CBS and a publishing offer from Cherry Red. However the group was riven with doubts and as record company interest in the Kingfishers increased so did their lack of confidence.
After one final concert opening for Aztec Camera and Prefab Sprout at Night Moves on St.Patrick’s Day 1983, the group disbanded. The Kingfishers lasted 12 months from March 1982-1983.
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