(c’86-’88) Anna-Lucy Torjussen (vocals), Duncan ‘Du Kane’ Elder (lead vocal/rhythm guitar), David Maskrey (lead guitar), David Howick (drums), Anton Daniels (percussion) and Fil/Phil/Phyl B. (bass)

Originally called Yellow Lifetime they became Lax Lifetime in July ’87 and were knocking out modern dance, influenced by Prince, Cameo and Trouble Funk. A couple of months prior to the name change the band, with the addition of Damian Hand and Scampi on Sax, recorded “Step in Time” and “Shout! About” at Peppermint Studio, where they were produced by George Chambers and Elaine Fairfax.

By mid ’87 the band had released the “Beat! The Elite…” demo, noted for an unflustered style, and were regularly appearing in London, including The Greyhound, Dingwalls, Le Beat Route, and Mean Fiddler, and organizing coaches from Cranleigh, Godalming and Guildford, with tickets available at Pete’s Place and Andertons, Guildford, and sometimes The Queen Victoria, Shalford. Rehearsing three nights a week and on Sundays’ and gigging as much as possible kept the band sharp and tight. On the 15th and 18th November ’87 the band were in a studio again. This time it was FJR studios, NW10 recording the demo cassette single “Have The Time of Your Life….In Your Lifetime” with the Talking Horns: Steve Smith and Floyd.

1987’s demo cassette single “Have The Time of Your Life….In Your Lifetime”. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
1987’s demo cassette single “Have The Time of Your Life….In Your Lifetime”. Picture courtesy of Du Kane

In December ’87 they were in the the Ha! Bloody Ha! studio to lay down “Sand Through Glass” again with Scampi. This was then added to the “Beat! The Elite…” demo cassette reissue, with production credits for Chambers and Fairfax. Kane was also responsible for ‘persuading’ The Rak to put on an event at Guildford Civic, at which Lax Lifetime headlined. The Rak and it’s promotor and organizer, Lance Lush, were totally fictional, with Lush purportedly organizing raves on trains from Waterloo and boats on the Thames. Torjussen left the funk band in early ’88 with the band winding up late that year.

Kane went on to be a founding member of Beautiful People, was a contributing editor for Front magazine for a few years and runs session recording outfit Replicant. With Maskrey, Kane can now be seen in The Shakespearos, along with The Vapors Steve Smith.

Gallery:

Lax Lifteime band mates Anna-Lucy Torjussen and Du Kane. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
James Steen looked back at 1987 in the 31st December ’87. This is the July section of that issues and Yellow Lifetime changed their name to Lax Lifetime.
“Have The Time of Your Life – In Your Lifetime” gets reviewed in Soundscence December 3rd 1987
26 September 1987. Image provided by Du Kane
Woking Soundscene May 26, 1988
Soundscene – July 28th 1988
Soundscene, 9 July 1987, by James Steen. Picture courtesy of Du Kane.
Picture courtesy of Du Kane.
News & Mail, 23 July ’87. Picture courtesy of Du Kane.
News & Mail, 23 February 1988. Picture courtesy of Du Kane.
Popscene, 11 July 1987 and not their first gig, as you might presume from the note. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
14 July 1987, Lax Lifetime were at THe Greyhound. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
28 November 1987: Lax Lifetime played Dingwalls, Camden Lock. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
23 January 1988, Lax Lifetime played Dingwalls, Camden Lock. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
28 Julyt 1988, Lax Lifetime were at THe Greyhound. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
16 April 1988: Lax Lifetime played Dingwalls, Camden Lock. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
“Beat! The Elite…” demo. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
“Beat! The Elite…” demo. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
“Beat! The Elite…” demo. Picture courtesy of Du Kane
Demos, including Lax Lifetime’ “Beat! The Elite…” and “Have The Time of Your Life….In Your Lifetime”. Picture courtesy of Du Kane