The Sea Urchins

The Sea Urchins were formed in West Bromwich, England, during 1986 by James Roberts (b. 4 March 1970, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England; vocals), Simon Woodcock (b. 2 December 1969, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England; guitar), Mark Bevin (b. 21 January 1970; bass), Bridget Duffy (b. 28 June 1970, Birmingham, England; tambourine, ex-drummer for The Velvet Underwear), Patrick Roberts (drums) and Robert Cooksey (b. 14 November 1969, Solihull, West Midlands, England; guitar). Two flexi-discs in the summer of 1987, ‘Clingfilm’ and ‘Summershine’, were available with several fanzines, and revealed the band’s love of Byrds harmonies and the more tranquil aspects of the 60s. After Bevin was replaced by Darren Martin (b. 25 March 1967) and Duffy had moved onto Vox organ, The Sea Urchins unleashed their first single, and the first for Bristol’s Sarah Records in November 1987. The EP 'Pristine Christine' was a well-received slice of jangly guitar pop, but the following year’s ‘Solace’ was stronger, the start of their self-confessed mod-rock phase. Both singles had fared well, but Sarah were reluctant to issue a complete album, and Duffy and Martin soon left, Woodcock switching to bass and James Roberts moving to guitar. Eventually, ‘A Morning Odyssey’ surfaced in the summer of 1990, but when the label refused to issue the rockier ‘Low Scene’, the band left Sarah for good. In the meantime, Welsh label Fierce issued a Sea Urchins ballad from 1988. The band signed to the Cheree label early in 1991 for ‘Please Don’t Cry’, and were joined on stage by Andy Ellison (ex-John’s Children and Radio Stars). In fact, John’s Children’s John Hewlett was to produce their next single, until Woodcock quit and The Sea Urchins split up after a particularly dismal gig in the summer of 1991. James Roberts, Patrick Roberts and Robert Cooksey went on to form Delta. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]