Children of the 80s : The band that has followed me through time

Alot of band and songs have come and gone in my life time. I still enjoy listening to many of them over the years, but one group imparticular has me always checking for news of touring and a hopeful check for a new album. That band formed in the early 80s but it would be 1984 before someone saw their talent and signed them to Columbia/CBS records. That band is The Outfield.

Originally, the band called themselves The Baseball Boys and the line up was John Spinks, Tony Lewis and Alan Jackman. Rumor has it that the name was inspired by a movie called The Warriors which was about street gangs. One of those gangs was called The Baseball Boys and apparently this was what the band attempted to use for their name. They did a few demos and one of those demos was called Tiny Lights. For the longest it was highly sought after by anyone calling themselves a real fan of the band.

In 1984, after being signed by Columbia/CBS, they officially changed their name to The Outfield and released Play Deep in late 1985. The album would give them the song that was their greatest success on the charts. That song was Your Love and it reached number 6 on the US Hot 100 Charts. (continued below)

Video for Your Love

After the article, scroll to the bottom for a video treat from one of today's well known artists.

Following Play deep in 1986 came the release of Bangin. It contained more the great harmonic Rock n Roll, that had created their fan base on their debut album. Great music such as Bangin' On My Heart, Since You've Been Gone, and No Surrender would gain them many new fans and allowed them to move on to record a third album

Voices of Babylon was released 1989 and its title track and My Paradise were perhaps the best the album had to offer and following this Album the drummer Alan Jackman left the band to pursue other interests. Not to be deterred John and Tony pushed on with stand in drummer Paul Reed until a session drummer name Simon Dawson stepped up and took the position and would eventually become their official drummer.

1990 would see the release of Diamond Days and 1992 would see the release of Rockeye. Both albums had great music on it, but they couldnt regain the popularity they had obtained in the 80s. The fans hadnt disappeared but the band decided to take a break from the road and for 6 years the only new albums they released were best of types. The band quietly recorded music for themselves and according to their website were "waiting until the time was right." to release new material.

1998 apparently was that time and they returned to the studio to release music that they had passed over in past years for members of the fan club and to sell while on a club tour. According to Dave Harris (source Wikipedia) only about 2000 copies of this new CD were made. It was self released and was titled It Aint Over. With renewed interest from American Fans and fans in Brazil They were signed by Intersound Records for their Next release. the tour was most club dates but their biggest date was in Trinidad where they would play for over 40,000 fans!

July of 1999 saw the release of Extra Innings which had many of the same songs released on It Aint Over along with new material. Fans asked for more and were give two live albums. Live In Brazil (2001) would include Tiny Lights for the first time since recorded as a demo.

Sometime between 2001 and 2005, Simon would leave the band and for 2005's The Outfield Live the drummer was Jeff Gish. This album would include most of their early material, but for some reason their biggest hit Your Love was left off.  Also during this time, Alan Jackman would return briefly for a few shows rewarding Outfield fans with the original line up and making those not there wish they were.

2006 would see the return of Simon Dawson for the release of Any Time Now which was a mish mash of new material as well as previously released songs. In May of 2006, fans would be disappointed to find out that The Outfield was not touring due to John being seriously ill. John had developed a rare form of liver cancer. Since that point nothing new has been released nor has their been a tour. That, John is expected to have a full recovery , is the only information that I have seen. According to the website they are recording again and have plans for a new release. Perhaps with that we will again see the band hit the road in support of their new material.

The Outfield are some of the nicest people you will ever meet and I am happy to have been a person that put a smile on their face when they signed my copy of Tiny lights on 45. Funny they asked if I was one of the guys with a name of their song Raintown Boys tattooed on me. I along with my best friend and fellow Gatherite Russ D. Were indeed the two guys they had been told about. :) Another smile and pictures taken with the band that have sadly been misplaced.

Visit the Band at their website by clicking here!

The Outfiled have had Your love covered serveral times, perhaps most recently by Katy Perry. Below I have included the audio video. Check it out!