(c’83-’84) – Stuart Murray (guitar), Mike Reed (guitar), Sharon Pilling (bass), Kirk Kelly (drums) and Simon “Tarquin” George (vocals).

Screaming Lullabies at The Royal, Guildford

Pilling & Kelly had previously been in a band with Alison Goldfrapp called Creatures of Darkness, who played in and around the Guildford area, before forming Screaming Lullabies with the others in ’83. With members mostly from the Guildford area, they played at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking several times and at various other local venues, including The Royal, Guildford, and were often compared to Bauhaus – who they cited as an influence along with Death Cult and The Birthday Party. Their Schoolhouse appearances included a support slot; with No Joy, COW, and The Spin Dolls, for goth rock band In Excelsis, formed by former UK Decay guitarist Steve Spon, on 26 April ’84. Three months earlier. on 14 January ’84, Screaming Lullibies had headlined at the Old Schoolhouse, with Dark Paradise, COW and The Spin Dolls in support. The band split shortly after the In Excelsis support gig.

Pilling went on to play with Londoner’s Jezebelle, and with one other went on to form KURRU. George focused on The Kavern Club at The Royal and formed Vale of Eden, then Gitche Manitou and Sang Froid with Kelly.

Galley:

Screaming Lullibies supported In Excelsis, with No Joy and COW at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 26th April 1984. While not listed The Spin Dolls appeared too. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling.
A small Screaming Lullibies clipping from Soundscene 26th April 1984
Simon George annouces that Screaming Lullabies are no more, amongst other things…Soundscene 24 May ’84
Soundscene, 8th March 1984
Soundscene, 19th January 1984
left to right: Stuart Murray (guitar), Mike Reed (guitar), Sharon Pilling (bass), Kirk Kelly (drums) and Simon George (vocals).
A great use of two quid. Screaming Lullabies headlined at the Old School House, with Dark Paradise, COW and Spin Dolls in support.
Another image of the flyer for 14 Jan 1984 Secreaming Lullabies gig with Dark Paradise, COW and Spin Dolls at The Old School House. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling.
Screaming Lullibies headlined at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 14th January 1984. Dark Paradise, COW and The Spin Dolls supported. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling
14 January 1984: Old Schoolhouse ticket for Screaming Lullabies, Dark Paradise, Cow, and Spin Dolls.
Screaming Lullabies at The Royal, Guildford
Screaming Lullabies at The Royal, Guildford
Screaming Lullabies at The Royal, Guildford