THE BAND

Formed around 1980 three friends (Chris Hall, Nick Tarbitt, Paul Carter) formed a band called The Switch and rehearsed songs in Chris's parents house in a small village in England. We eventually begged and borrowed rehearsal space in an old garage where we would spend many Sundays freezing. Sometime later we had a real stroke of luck, we gained access to a hospital social club, so we could then at least practice in the warmth and play on a stage. Brian Taylor joined around this time and his excellent playing on his old but beautiful Ludwig kit transformed the sound. We played our first ever gig in Goole, East Yorkshire, The Victoria Club to good reviews.

A band performing on stage with four members playing guitars, drums, and keyboard, in a room with orange lighting.
A four-panel collage featuring a man holding a guitar, a close-up of the same man with a speech bubble saying 'Listen up fuckers!', a man with a microphone, and a man playing guitar in a room.

Photos from the band's own archive — see PHOTOS for more.

Paul, Chris and Nick standing in front of musical equipment, including a keyboard, guitar, and amplifiers, in a rehearsal room

The Switch, c.1981

Three young men standing against a stone wall, dressed in 1980s fashion, with two on the left leaning casually and one on the right standing with hands in pockets.

Second gig, Goole

Five young men posing together on a stage with musical instruments in the background.

Chris Crude & The Prudes

Music stage with drum set, electric guitar, microphone, and audio equipment.

The Prudes, 1990

Group of five young adults smiling indoors, holding musical equipment and a sign that says "Chris Crude and the Prudes Playing."

Handbills & posters

Black and white photo of two men; the man on the left is holding an electric guitar, and the man on the right is in front of a microphone.
Two men wearing sunglasses and black clothing, standing outdoors in front of a wooden fence, with red and white banners in the background.

On the road

Paul & Chris, 2012