Biography
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Years Active
1979 – present (46 years)
The Naughtiest Girl Was A Monitor were an English band formed in 1979 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. The founding duo, consisting of John Mayfield (guitar, synthesizer, vocals) and Steve Bedford (drums, synthesizer, vocals), also incorporated backing tapes.
Early gigs were mostly Sheffield pubs, and later clubs. ‘The Limit Club’ was an early gig for the duo. Only London gig was ‘The Moonlight Club’ in 1980, marking the release of the first single ‘All The Naked Heroes.’ Played Rotherham Arts Centre, South Yorkshire, UK the same year with up and coming Sheffield band ‘Pulp’ as support. This was Pulp’s first gig.
Steve Bedford left in early 1981 and Mayfield joined forces with two musicians, Craig Zelly (Drums) and Mark Sole (Bass). Both were former members of local Sheffield band ‘The Scarborough Antelopes.’ Russell Fern was also added on keyboards.
This line- up attracted the attention of major record company Phonogram. The band recorded tracks for the label at Spaceward, Cambridgeshire, UK. Former school friend of Mayfield’s, John Basford, was added to the studio sessions for ‘live’ viola, cello and violin work.
The album, entitled ‘The Sea’s So Warm’ was never released.
The band’s most prestigious gig of this period was ‘The Marquee Club’ in London’s Wardour Street.
Following two further single releases the band went their separate ways.
DISCOGRAPHY
All The Naked Heroes / Wax Museum / West Street (1980, Aardvark.)
Front / Sensation, No Sensation/ Synthesizers (The story so far.) (1981, Aardvark.)
Is All I Need? / To Love Nuclear (1982, Dining Out, Tux 1.)
The Naughtiest Girl Was A Monitor. 2007
Re-mastered album on vinyl featuring all single releases and previously unreleased material. Available on limited edition through www.vinyl-on-demand.com
John Mayfield has a selection of film and incidental music available on Last FM.
He also has a guest track featured on the Jackie Leven album 'Wayside Shrines and the Code of the Travelling Man' released in September 2011. The song is entitled 'A Kiss On The Cheek.'
John Mayfield released an instrumental piano piece, 'For William Blake,' in February 2013.
It is available on itunes and Amazon.
It is taken from a forthcoming album entitled 'Even God Must Pray,' which is scheduled for release in early 2014.
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