About this item

The Chesterfields were leading lights among the generation of indie pop outfits that thrived in the post-C86 environment.

Formed in 1984 in Yeovil, Somerset, by Dave Goldsworthy, Simon Barber and Dominic Manns – and joined in 1985 by Brendan Holden – they came to prominence as part of a thriving UK underground scene that had turned its back on bland over-produced 1980s chart music and was looking for back-to- basics pop music. Think the likes of the June Brides, Wedding Present and the Loft – bands championed by John Peel and Janice Long.

The Chesterfields released three well-received singles on the Subway Organization label and had their own outing for Janice Long in early 1987, well before their debut album ‘Kettle’ hit the shops (and reached the dizzy heights of No.2 in the independent charts).

After line-up changes, the band released two more singles and an album (‘Crocodile Tears’) via their own Household label before finally splitting in 1989 – and then reforming briefly in 1994 for a Japanese tour. Following the death of Davey Chesterfield in a hit-and-run accident in Oxford in 2002, Simon Barber resisted all requests for the band to record or perform as ‘The Chesterfields’ until they were asked to play NYC Popfest in 2016, and a new line-up was put together. Live dates and another album followed.

In October 2024, Simon Chesterfield released his debut album on the Legere Recordings label, featuring a selection of back catalogue songs reimagined as an orchestra performance.

Now the Chesterfields’ Janice Long session from their early classic period is released as part of the series of BBC sessions on the Precious Recordings of London label. As well as featuring a handful of the group’s best-loved songs, the session features a guest appearance from soon-tobe-legendary West Country-based PJ Harvey producer John Parish – masquerading as ‘Scott Tracey’ for a spot of percussion and backing vocals!

TRACK LISTING

1. Two Girls And A Treehouse
2. What’s Your Perversion?
3. Oh Mr Wilson!
4. Love Mountain