'Spider Psychiatry' was released in 1986 but went largely unnoticed, and two years later 'England's Finest Hopes' emerged, with Keighers' polemic and Curtis' John Cale-alike violin sound setting them apart from other UK indie bands of the time. 1989 saw further output, with the 'Bombs Away' and 'Fanciable Headcase' singles offering social comment, and a disdain for the acceptance of violence within relationships. An appearance on influential BBC2 programme Snub TV with 'Fanciable Headcase' helped the latter E.P. reach the independent charts, and an album was compiled from their early releases, titled 'Barbarous English Fayre'.
A debut album proper, 'Dandelions' emerged soon after, with attacks on racism and the status quo encapsulated in songs such as 'Up the Empire/Balls To the Bulldog Breed'.
'Blowzy Weirdos' on the Cherry Red label in 1991 continued with similar subject matter, and the explosion of the Manchester scene in the wake of the Happy Mondays and Stone Roses helped the band gain further attention. Sadly this was not enough for the band to stay together, and they disappeared soon after, without ever achieving the success that their original blend of cynicism and musical innovation deserved.