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Graduate (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Graduate
OriginBath, Somerset, England
Genres
Years active1978–1981
SpinoffsTears for Fears
Past members

Graduate were an English new wave and mod revival musical group formed in 1978 in Bath, England. The band released a single entitled "Elvis Should Play Ska" and an album entitled "Acting My Age". The band were unsuccessful and broke up in 1981. Future Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were members of Graduate.

Band history

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The band formed in 1978 in Bath.[1] They were a new wave and mod revival band.[2] Band members included Roland Orzabal, Curt Smith, John Baker, Steve Buck, and Andy Marsden.[citation needed]

In 1979, Graduate signed a publishing deal with Tony Hatch who subsequently offered the group to Pye Records. Graduate recorded their debut album Acting My Age at Crescent Studios Bath in January 1980. Their first single, "Elvis Should Play Ska", reached number 82 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1980 and reached the Top 10 in Spain.[citation needed]

The band broke up in 1981[1] after undertaking a gruelling tour.[3]

After Graduate

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In 1981, Orzabal and Smith went on to form the new wave band Tears for Fears.[1][4]

Personnel

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  • Roland Orzabal – vocals, lead guitar
  • Curt Smith – bass guitar, vocals
  • John Baker – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Steve Buck – keyboards
  • Andy Marsden – drums

Albums

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Title Album details
Acting My Age
  • Released: 1980
  • Debut studio album. Remastered with extra tracks in 2001.[citation needed]
Ambitions
  • Cancelled before completion. All tracks can be found on the 2001 expanded remaster of Acting My Age.[citation needed]
Graduate
  • Released: 1991
  • German-only release featuring many of the tracks from Acting My Age but with two different versions of the song "Shut Up" and the song "I See Through You" from the unfinished Ambitions album.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Vissman, Donna (11 July 2023). "5 Things You May Not Know About Tears for Fears".
  2. ^ Shipley, Al (18 February 2022). "Tears For Fears Are Back, and Closer Than Ever". GQ.
  3. ^ "On looking inward to create your best work". thecreativeindependent.com. 21 January 2022.
  4. ^ Doherty, Niall (8 February 2025). "Ten reasons why Tears For Fears made two of the most influential albums ever". louder.
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