Inspiral Carpets

Inspiral Carpets formed in Oldham in 1983, though the classic lineup didn't coalesce until the late 1980s when they became part of the Madchester scene centred on the Haçienda. Clint Boon's Farfisa organ was the defining element of their sound — a swirling, hypnotic presence that gave their music a distinctly psychedelic quality. Their roadie at the time was a young Noel Gallagher.

'Life' (1990) was the debut that established them as one of the key Madchester acts. 'This Is How It Feels', 'Move', and 'She Comes in the Fall' were all strong singles. The album reached number two. Inspiral Carpets were suddenly one of the most successful bands in Britain, their 'Cool as Fuck' merchandise becoming one of the era's most recognisable cultural artefacts.

The follow-up albums 'The Beast Inside' (1991) and 'Revenge of the Goldfish' (1992) maintained the quality, but the Madchester moment was fading. 'Devil Hopping' (1994) arrived as Britpop was taking over and received less attention than it deserved. The band split in 1995. They reformed in 2003 and have continued to tour, their live shows remaining a reliable source of Madchester-era joy.