10 Forgotten 80s Bands Worth Rediscovering

It may sound like the name of an excellent, close-harmony doo-wop band, but the Nightingales in question here were a British post-punk group hailing from Birmingham. Founded in 1979, the Nightingales bear a mark of distinction in having landed sessions for DJ John Peel, a man who always had a fine ear for special bands.

In fact, the group racked up more Peel appearances, during their lifetime, than The Fall but, despite such early support and critical acclaim, the Nightingales released just three albums before disbanding in the late '80s. Their stripped-down, yet intricate sound is still thrilling to hear. More cerebral and less immediately accessible than many of their peers, these qualities perhaps account for their relative lack of sales.

The Nightingales reformed in 2004, with a slightly altered line-up, and since then have enjoyed plenty of success, releasing a further eight albums and touring internationally. A 2020 documentary about the band debuted on Sky last year, fronted by music-loving comedian Stewart Lee. Fans of Wire, the aforementioned The Fall and Magazine will find much to enjoy here.