“There was a very unpleasant atmosphere between all of us. George Martin said he’d do another album… Instead we drove the band off the cliff”: How Stackridge conspired to swerve the success they deserved

Stackridge.

James Warren has enjoyed pop success – but the guitarist/bassist and vocalist is a steadfast citizen of the progressive world. In the 70s he was a member of Stackridge, the West Country band who quirkily blended folk, psychedelia and jazz. Their first three albums – 1971’s self-titled debut, Friendliness from the following year and ’74’s The Man In The Bowler Hat – showcased musicianship of great depth and melodic purpose, with the latter title produced by George Martin.

Five years after leaving the band in 1973, Warren teamed up with former bandmate Andrew Cresswell-Davis to form The Korgis. A new wave band with a strong prog element, their single If I Had You reached No.13 in 1979, while the Warren-penned Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime peaked at No.5 the following year.