Following continued touring, a disillusioned Heukamp departed, with the group continuing as a quartet to record their debut album in early 1988 (costing only £8,000). Lead single, 'Christine' was chosen as one of the top independent singles of the year in the press, and the album did not disappoint either fans or critics. 'Destroy the Heart' followed as a further single in 1989, continuing their ascension, with rumours of major label interest confirmed when the band signed to Phonogram. This was also a lifeline to Creation Records, who had auctioned the band to the highest bidder (although in reality McGee cared enough to find a less 'corporate' home than EMI, who in fact offered more money).
The bands image as a guitar group in the classic late 60's psychedelic and beat bands vein saw them releasing product on the revived Fontana label, but initial singles 'Never' and 'I Don't Know Why I Love You' both fell 1 place short of the UK top 40. The album, too, was beset by problems, with guitarist Bickers leaving to be replaced by Simon Walker. The album 'Fontana' finally emerged to a mixed reception, and the £400,000 spent was in strong contrast to their debut release. A re-recorded version of 'Shine On' reached no.20 in the UK charts, finally giving the band a small amount of mainstream exposure.
More tours followed, seeing Walker depart and original member Heukamp return. During this period, Chadwick appeared to suffer from a severe writers block, and saw younger bands such as the Stone Roses gain popularity in the interim (although rumours abound that Chadwick was immersed in the Acid House craze at this time). Meanwhile, ex-member Bickers was also receiving acclaim for his new band Levitation (later fragmenting into Dark Star after Bickers departure).
After a record label panic release, the b-sides and outtakes compilation 'Spy in the House of Love', 1991 saw them return with 'The Girl With the Loneliest Eyes' E.P., and the following album 'Babe Rainbow' was met with lukewarm reviews as the potential suggested by their debut seemed to become more elusive. One further album came in 1993, managing only one week on the album chart, and within a year the band had gone their separate ways.
Chadwick appeared the following year with new outfit The Madonnas, and has made occasional appearances as a solo artist ever since, but none has matched the unfulfilled potential of his previous band. Original member Terry Bickers had formed a new band, Levitation, after his departure, who took a more psychedelia based route. The band achieved minor acclaim in the indie press, but the band effectively left Bickers to his own devices citing unreasonable temperament as the reason for the split in the late 90's, and reformed under the name Dark Star.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE THE HOUSE OF LOVE: Velvet Underground, Jesus and Mary Chain, The Only Ones, Jasmine Minks, Stone Roses, The Icicle Works, The Smiths, Echo & the Bunnymen, Ride, Catherine Wheel, The Beatles, Levitation, Dark Star.