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Kitchens of Distinction were formed in London in 1986 and started and ended their career with a Single of the Week in the UK music press. In between they put out four albums and won the hearts and minds of a generation. Hit singles generally eluded them (the band’s third single “The 3rd Time We Opened The Capsule” did however make it into the ‘NME Writers 100 Best Indie Singles Ever’ list in 1992) but they fared better in the US with “Drive That Fast” hitting number one on the college radio charts over there.

A compact trio comprising of Patrick Fitzgerald (Vocals, Bass), Julian Swales (Guitars) and Dan Goodwin (Drums, Percussion) they were known for their swirling maelstrom of guitar effects - coined in the press as like being a ‘sonic cathedral’ – and Patrick’s introspective and unabashed lyrics that often dealt with his own homosexuality. They were tagged with the genre ‘shoegaze’ (UK) and ‘dreampop’ (US) although, like many of their peers similarly defined, they never felt comfortable with either term. Their sound was inspired largely by their love of Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Echo and the Bunnymen and peers A R Kane and it went on to be heard in a new generation of bands like Interpol, Bloc Party, Editors and British Sea Power.

• The songs were recorded in Patrick’s studio in Derbyshire and at Julian’s studio in Brighton.

“I can listen to a British Sea Power record and think: ‘You know what? Kitchens Of Distinction were ahead of their time.” STEVE LAMACQ / BBC RADIO / 2013

“I love them to death. Long may they burn.” GRAHAM LINEHAN / writer Father Ted, Black Books, The IT Crowd

“Kitchens of Distinction are one of my favourite bands” CHRIS PACKHAM / Springwatch BBC2