Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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ONLY ONES, The

UK new wave group formed by Peter Perrett, singer and guitarist (ex-England's Glory) who'd been an active solo/frontman since late '60s, with bassist Alan Mair, ex-Spooky Tooth/Peter Frampton drummer Mike Kellie and guitarist John Perry, who had worked with the Ratbites from Hell and with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter: altogether a strange set of credentials for a new wave group. First single 'Lovers Of Today' on their own Vengeance label as Peter and the Pets led to CBS contract; 'Another Girl Another Planet' was a cult hit. LPs The Only Ones '78 and Even Serpents Shine '79 showcased Perrett's tortured, Lou Reed-style vocals; never punks, they derived much from USA glam-rock. Compilation Special View was issued in USA, where Baby's Got A Gun '80 was their most successful album (top 40 LP), but the writing was on the wall with last-chance single 'Fools', a Perrett duet with Penetration vocalist Pauline Murray on an untypical C&W- flavoured tune. They split early '81 after filling London's Lyceum for a farewell gig; splinter group Decline and Fall didn't last long. Perrett was a heroin addict whose strange lyrics were messages to the cognoscenti; he effectively left music but began to recover: EP Cultured Palate '94 was followed by Woke Up Sticky '96 on Demon as Peter Perrett and the One, sounding unchanged, lyrics reflecting on the lost years.