Power pop/new wave group
the Yachts was formed in 1977 by Liverpool art-schoolmates
Henry Priestman (vocals, keyboards), Martin Watson (guitar, vocals), Martin Dempsey (bass, vocals), Bob Bellis (drums, vocals), and J.J. Campbell (vocals). They signed to Stiff Records after a supporting spot for
Elvis Costello in 1977, releasing the endlessly catchy "Suffice to Say" single (produced by
Will Birch) before following
Costello to Radar Records. They released two power pop classics,
Yachts (1979) and
Yachts Without Radar (1980), before disbanding in the early '80s when power pop fell from favor. ~ Chris Woodstra