One of the more interesting UK bands to emerge in the post-punk era of the late-1970s and early-1980s, The Monochrome Set established a devoted following with their arty approach to rock. Singer and songwriter Bid and bass player Andy Warren were at school together, while Lester Square was at Hornsey Art College forming a band, The B-Sides, with Stuart Goddard (Adam Ant). They were joined by Andy Warren and Bid and The Monochrome Set duly emerged - via The Zarbies and the Ectomorphs - when Stuart Goddard left to form Adam and the Ants, the others also contributing to the early Ants material. The Monochrome Set's reputation as a visionary live act was partly built on their experimental multi-arts approach, with Tony Potts joining them as film-maker and projectionist, designing groundbreaking stage sets, lighting and visual elements. They released several singles on the Rough Trade label before Bob Sargeant produced their debut album Strange Boutique, followed by Love Zombies, both released in 1980. Switching to the Cherry Red label in 1982, the band released third album Eligible Bachelors, by which time a series of personnel changes had kicked in, including the departure of founder Lester Square. Even after signing to major label Warner Brothers, they failed to achieve a significant commercial breakthrough and split in 1985. However, Lester Square, Bid and Andy Warren reunited in the early 1990s with the addition of keyboardist Orson Presence and drummer Mike Slocombe - later replaced by Trevor Reidy - and enjoyed widespread success, particularly in Japan, where Bid was regarded as a big star. After another split they reunited again in 2008 to play at Cherry Red's 30th anniversary and were back on the road in Europe through 2012 and 2013 promoting their first studio album in over 15 years, Platinum Coils. Subsequent releases include Spaces Everywhere (2015), Maisieworld (2018), Fabula Mendax (2019), Allhallowtide (2022), and Lotus Bridge (2026).
