life in the city

ATF embarked on a two month, 45 date tour to promote the album, beginning at the Leescliffe Hall in Folkestone on 29th September, and finishing at Sheffield University. But the tour was not without it's strains. Before embarking on the tour, Ivor informed the rest of the band that he intended to leave when it was over. At home, he had suffered a bereavement, which affected him greatly. He was also not happy about his role in the band, being just the drummer, and having little input into the creative process. The problems for Ivor reached a peak during the show at the Astoria Cinema in Edinburgh on 18th October. Ivor had been unwell for some time, and had a condition that lead to him collapsing on stage during the show.

To continue the tour, drummer Nick Brotherwood was drafted in to take Ivor's place for the shows in Ireland between 23rd and 28th October. Ivor recovered sufficiently to return to his duties when the band returned to the UK for the show at Manchester UMIST on 2nd November, and continued to the end.

Despite the turmoil, the tour finished in fine style, with a show at London's Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park on 17th November. Yet, even this show was almost in danger, as the previous night's warm-up gig in Reading had to be cancelled due to Banks' suffering illness. But he also had recovered enough to go ahead with the Rainbow concert - not wanting to disappoint so many, and no-doubt because he was aware that plans had been made to record the show for possible future release as a live album. The show was a sell-out, and, after a set by the support Passengers, and an on-stage interview, the band were greeted by a sea of loyal fans chanting 'A-T-F'. Banks betrayed none of the illness as the band went through a tight, blistering set. In a lengthy review of the show by Buzz's assistant editor Roger Green, he described the excitement inside the theatre that night:

"It wasn't so much a concert, more a celebration. After The Fire ... were back to their roots in London. And before a packed house at the Rainbow Theatre they demonstrated that they have come a long way from those roots and are moving towards the top of the tree."

"Waiting to greet them ... was a sea of enthusiastic faces and outstretched arms. After The Fire were at the Rainbow, one of rock's most prestigious venues, and their fans rose to the occasion. The atmosphere in the chocker-block stalls was electric. The band's response was a set as vigorous and energetic as the reception that met them."

Russell gave two wonderful lead solo's during Take Me Higher and Your Love Is Alive, giving an indication of a return to the longer, more crafty performances of past years for their future work. The concert was recorded on the Manor Mobile by Rupert Hine.

As intended, when the show was over, Ivor bowed out from ATF. His unexpected departure prompted much press speculation as to whether he had actually suffered a heart-attack on stage during the tour. But this was merely an invention by an over-creative CBS press office. Ivor's own explanation was rather different:

"I felt very strongly that it was time to get out. OK, I did collapse with nervous exhaustion, but that wasn't why I left then. There was a lot of frustration in me about not being involved in the writing. I wanted to get more away from the drumming side of things and I knew that it had just come to the point where I couldn't help the band anymore. I wasn't giving 100%, and that's when it's time to stop."

"There was brief bitterness that I'd left them at that stage, when things were hitting a peak."

The band returned to the studio with producer Tony Mansfield, and began work demo-ing material for their next album. Session drummers were used in Ivor's place while a search was made for a permanent replacement.

CBS 8057

On 23rd November CBS released a new recording of Life In The City as their third single. It was available in two formats - the usual 7" coupled with a self-produced studio recording of Listen To Me, and in the relatively new 12" format, this time backed with three live tracks recorded at the Rainbow.

In order to fulfil some imminent dates in Europe, the search for a new drummer was escalated, and Nick Brotherwood was invited to join the band permanently. New line up became:

Peter Banks (backing vocals, keyboards)
Andy Piercy (vocals, bass)
John Russell (guitar)
Nick Brotherwood (drums)

S CBS 12 8057

Photo sessions were hastily arranged, showing the band lurking outside the Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street late at night. Brotherwood looked uncomfortable, and there was a feeling of haste.

Tony Tew's Greenbelt Live! film is released by Grenville Film Productions during December.

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