Paul heaton (vocalist and bandleader) moves to the city of Hull (UK) and runs the following ad across the city: “trombonist looking for buskers”. A tall college math student, Stan cullimore (guitar player), responds to it.
They hit it off almost immediately and, without almost realizing it, they were already playing music in the streets as a duo, entertaining many people as they passed under the name of The Housemartins, the same that is born from the mind of Paul when referring surely to some passage of his then favorite writer, Peter tinniswood.
Later they would include Ted key (bassist) and would join them almost immediately Hugh whittaker (drummer, who before the recording of the second album would be replaced by Dave hemingway), both coming from the local band The gargoyles.
Thus they would begin to appear in some television programs and to put their signature on some compilations: The theme “flag day”Was included in the dark album Laughing All The Way To The Bank and caught the attention of the legendary John peel, the same one that would invite them for a broadcast of his program.
With some recognition from the radio listeners for their performance and the good reviews received, they signed for the label Go Discs! in the middle of 1985.
Around this time and after having recorded his first single (“flag day"), Key announces that he is leaving: He is replaced by a friend from the university days of Paul, Norman cook.
It is said that the band's live performances were quite a spectacle given the peculiar and fun way they interpreted the songs, and the marked influence of religious music on their a cappella performances.
At the beginning of 1986 they release their second single, "sheep", And in June of the same year the third,"happy hour”, Today a true pop classic, which was accompanied by a fantastic video and sold 250000 copies becoming a hit# 3 UK), only surpassed in contemporary lists by Madonna y Wham!. Success began to smile at them and they were going to take advantage of it ...
The Housemartins - There is always something there to remind me
(Cesar Pinto)