Gay Dad

Gay Dad formed in London in 1995, fronted by Cliff Jones — a former music journalist who had written extensively about the bands he now sought to emulate. The band's sound drew on glam rock, Bowie, and the melodic ambition of the best 1970s British rock, filtered through a late-1990s indie sensibility. Their early singles generated considerable critical excitement and media attention.

'To Earth with Love' (1999) was their debut single and their finest moment — a grand, melodically irresistible glam-pop song that reached the UK top twenty and announced them as one of the more interesting new British acts. Their debut album 'Leisure Noise' (1999) was a strong record that earned good reviews, though the weight of expectation made it difficult for it to fully satisfy.

Gay Dad released one further album, 'Transmission' (2001), before dissolving. Jones returned to journalism. They are remembered as one of the more interesting casualties of the late-1990s British indie scene — a band with genuine melodic gifts and a clear artistic vision who arrived at a moment when the market was shifting. 'Leisure Noise' rewards rediscovery.