Cutting Crew

The Cutting Crew, while remaining relatively mid-level in terms of critical success, was one of the more talented pop bands to emerge out of the '80s U.K. pop scene. Although the band had a tendency to write and record big production pop songs that leaned more toward the safer, middle-of-the road pop, rather than the more in-vogue MTV sound, Cutting Crew had strong material and a great band of musicians to perform it.

Vocalist Nick Van Eede combined blue eyed soul with '80s new wave pop sensibilities to deliver strong and memorable vocal performances. Guitarist Kevin Scott MacMichael (who founded the band with Van Eede in 1985) had a subtle and powerful guitar style, similar in style to U2's the Edge. The four piece band (bassist Colin Farley and drummer Martin Beadle rounded out the core lineup) were added by keyboardist Tony Moore, whose sparse but effective keyboards gave the band's sound an ethereal feel.

The group scored a few minor hits with Broadcast, but it was the their 1987single "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight," which went to #1 in 15 different countries including the U.S. and England, that made them a household name around the world. Sadly, Cutting Crew never equaled the success of that single or Broadcast, even though they released three additional albums up through 1992, when they disbanded to pursue solo projects. But to get an idea of how good of a live act Cutting Crew was in their heyday, give this show a listen.