inside edge
The Evolution Begins
The evolution begins
The evolution begins covers the Elegy era.
Inside Edge began its formation in 1985 when bassist Nigel placed an advert in the Rhythm House Music Centre, a music shop on Hillgate, Stockport, just around the corner from the iconic Strawberry Studios.
Carl, a drummer from Disley, replied to the advert and Nigel and Carl started rehearsing.
Soon after Mike, a guitarist from Marple, joined Nigel and Carl and the core of the band was formed. This creative core would remain unchanged. Nigel, Carl, and Mike began regular rehearsals at a Scout Hut in Disley (pictured).
The band name of Inside Edge was proposed by guitarist Mike and the identity of the band was born. Further down the line, Stuart Adamson of Big Country would ask if we were cricket fans!
debut gig
Inside Edge’s debut gig was at Marple Liberal Club in 1986, as a support act.
After a successful outing, further gigs followed at Stockport College, Manchester Refectory, and Stockport Market Place venues such as The Boars Head and Edgerton Arms.
Stockport Market Place was a vibrant live music nucleus with several pub venues showcasing regular live music.
pink revolver
With several live gigs under their belt and a small following, Inside Edge were ready to record their debut demo.
The debut two-track demo was recorded in June 1986 at Spirit Studios, Manchester, and featured the songs ‘Pink Revolver’ and ‘Ghosts’.
Gill Mullarkey of Music Notes wrote in a review:
“…echoes of a by-gone Joy Division era with heavy emphasis on pounding drum and guitar beats”
Gill Mullarkey, Music Notes
Twilight studios
In early 1987 Inside Edge recorded their second demo, this time at Twilight Studios in Salford with Frank Walsh at the mixing desk.
The demo featured the tracks ‘Elegy’ and ‘Equinox’
battle of the bands
The Twilight Studios recording session was quickly followed by Inside Edge entering the Battle of the Bands competition, in March 1987.
The competition was based at the venue Cloud 9 in Manchester, and featured dozens of bands over a three-month period.
In May 1987, Inside Edge won the Battle of the Bands competition and were featured in regional and local press such as the Manchester Evening News, Stockport Messenger, and Salford City Reporter.
manchester rain
Inside Edge then entered the studio again to record a further demo.
This time the studio was Commercial Studios, Manchester, and the tracks were ‘Manchester Rain’ and ‘Love Kills’.
The band were unhappy with the production of the demo and subsequently remixed the recordings of ‘Ghosts’ and ‘Manchester Rain’ with Frank Walsh at Twilight Studios in Salford.
The photo shoot was taken at Lyme Hall, Lyme Park, Disley circa 1986. at the time it created a bit of a stir and attracted so much attention we were asked to leave! By this time we had taken plenty of photo’s in the hall, gardens and at the entrance to the hall and park.
debut single
Inside Edge were ready to release their first single, a double A-Side of ‘Elegy’ and ‘Equinox’, from the recording session at Twilight Studios early in 1987.
The 7” single was cut at Utopia Studios in London.
After numerous gigs, several studio sessions, winning the Battle of the Bands competition, and about to release their debut single, a disagreement emerged.
The outcome of the disagreement was that vocalist Ray left the band, and this ultimately allowed Inside Edge to evolve and cement the creative core of Carl, Mike and Nigel.
