Remembered for their songs “I Melt with You,” “Hands Across the Sea,” and “Ink and Paper,” Modern English was formed in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1979 by Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals). Originally known as The Lepers, the group took on the moniker “Modern English” when Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were added to the line-up.
After releasing a single on their own ‘Limp’ label in 1979, the band signed to 4AD with two further singles released, and a session for John Peel recorded in 1980. The band’s 1981 debut album, Mesh & Lace brought about a second Peel session recorded in October 1981.
The April 1982 follow-up, After The Snow was more keyboard-oriented and was also released in the United States by Sire Records the following year. After The Snow reached No. 70 on the Billboard chart, and sold over 500,000 copies. The second single from the album, “I Melt With You” was also a hit in the US reaching No. 78.
The band relocated to New York City to work on their third album, Ricochet Days, which again made the US top 100. Soon after, Modern English left 4AD and were solely signed to Sire. In 1986 the single “Stop Start” was the last Modern English record released with Sire.
The band split, only to reform again in 1990 for the album Pillow Lips, now on the American TVT label. Pillow Lips, featured a re-recorded “I Melt With You“, which saw the band again in the Billboard top 100 due to the single. Modern English disbanded for a second time in 1991, due to contractual issues with TVT, but later recorded in 1995 with some new members.
Grey formed Engine with Matthew Shipley (keyboards), and in 1995 they evolved into the next incarnation of Modern English signing to the Imago label. This line-up recorded the 1996 album Everything Is Mad.
The original members reunited & reformed in 2009, released the critically-acclaimed Take Me To The Trees in 2016, and still continue to tour the world!
