Kissing The Pink – Nostalgia Central

Originally renowned for their avant-garde musical textures and classical training, English new wave and synth-pop band Kissing the Pink formed in London in 1980.

Unlike many of their self-taught punk and new wave contemporaries, their classical backgrounds allowed them to blend complex orchestration, violin, and saxophone with experimental synthesisers.

Their debut single, Don’t Hide In The Shadows, was produced by legendary Joy Division collaborator Martin Hannett.

They signed with Magnet Records and recorded their debut album, Naked, at AIR Studios with producer Colin Thurston (known for his work with Duran Duran).

The standout single The Last Film reached #19 on the UK Singles Chart, pairing a melodic, cheerful synth line with a sombre narrative about a soldier dying during wartime.

Their second album, What Noise, saw them dive deep into early audio sampling. It lacked commercial traction but became a cult favourite, featuring collaborations with acclaimed producers like Ken Thomas (Cocteau Twins) and Michael Brauer.

Facing immense label pressure for a commercial hit, they trimmed their name to KTP in the mid-80s and transitioned into high-energy club music.

The gamble worked, and the title track from their album Certain Things Are Likely became a #1 hit on the US Billboard Dance Club chart, while the single One Step hit #1 in Italy.

Following their 1993 album Sugarland, the remaining trio of Whitecross, Hall, and Stewart reverted to their full name and stepped away from the spotlight to focus on studio production work for other musicians.

Nick Whitecross
Vocals, guitar
Jon Kingsley Hall
Keyboards, vocals
Peter Barnett
Bass, violin, vocals
Simon Aldridge
Guitar, bass, vocals
George Stewart
Keyboards, vocals
Stevie Cusack
Drums, vocals
Josephine Wells
Saxophone, vocals
Sylvia Griffin
Vocals

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