Modern Romance

Modern Romance represents one of the most fascinating pivots in 1980s British pop history. Formed from the ashes of the punk parody act the Leyton Buzzards, founders Geoffrey Deane and David Jaymes initially experimented with the burgeoning electronic scene before finding their true calling in Latin-influenced dance music.

This transition was solidified by the recruitment of trumpet player John Du Prez, whose arrangements gave the band a distinctive, brass-heavy identity that separated them from the synth-pop pack. Their 1981 breakthrough with 'Everybody Salsa' and 'Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey' established them as masters of the 'tropical' New Wave subgenre, a space they shared with acts like Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Despite a lineup change that saw Michael J. Mullins replace Deane as lead vocalist, the band maintained a string of hits by blending salsa, swing, and even early rap elements. Their influence persists as a bridge between the post-punk era's experimentalism and the pure escapism of 80s chart pop, noted for their high production values and rhythmic complexity.