Biography
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Years Active
1978 – 1988 (10 years)
Malcolm Harris: Guitar/Vocal
Ian Sturgess: Bass/Vocal
Mike Barnes: Drums
Colin Parker: Keyboards/Vocal
David Parker: Guitar/Vocal
Post punk DIY band all from around Basingstoke in Hampshire, UK. The above line-up lasted until 1980, when David Parker left.
The majority of their material was written solo by Malcolm Harris, although their handful of released recordings were all credited to Harris/Sturgess/Barnes/Parker/Parker.
The band began life as 'The Brothers K' in 1978, but changed to 'The Walking Floors' with a change to Ian Sturgess on bass in 1979.
Mike Barnes and Ian Sturgess also worked with 'The Lemon Kittens' during 1979-1980, appearing on the latter's 'Cake Beast' EP and providing back-up at a number of memorable live appearances (a spectacularly mismatched support slot with 'Killing Joke' has entered music folklore).
'The Walking Floors' most notable live appearances were probably their handful of gigs supporting 'The Diagram Brothers' in London and an appearance supporting 'The Lemon Kittens' at Reading University in 1980.
Drummer Mike Barnes went on to become a music journalist and wrote the definitive biography of Captain Beefheart:-
Mike relates a jolly tale from a Walking Floors gig at:-
http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2009/02/will_bono_haunt_me_to_the_grav.html
Guitarist David Parker wrote a book called 'Random Precision' which documents the recording sessions of Syd Barrett:-
Malcolm Harris, Ian Sturgess and Mike Barnes got together to record as 'The Swinging Signs' and released a double CD called 'Lime' in 2007.
Malcolm Harris and Mike Barnes are currently recording as 'Lewis Lear and The Jets'.
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