(c’78-’82) Keith Smart/Renton (vocals / bass), Kevin Leigh/Buckley (guitar) and Pete Muller (drums).

M.I.5. at The Woodenbridge, May 1980

The band responded to an ad by sending a demo cassette carrying “Alright On The Night” to Bernice. Bernice turned out to be ATV Music Publishing (now part of Sony). The band eventually signed to the Public Records label owned by Patrick Campbell-Lyons, half of cult symphonic-rock band Nirvana and with whom Smart would appear on Nirvana’s ’96’s ‘Orange and Blue’ LP, and fashion designer Gloria Satin. The band ended up recording tracks at Startling Studios with engineer Keith Byres at Tittenhurst Park, the former home of John Lennon, and RMS Studios, London through November 1979, resulting in the release of the 7″ single, “Alright On The Night” [PUB-002] in 1980. The B-side contained two songs, “Don’t Make Waves” and “Television Screen Heroes”.

Woking based Smart lead the band to playing in and around the town regularly as well as South London. On 31 January 1980, M.I.5, supported by The Different I’s, appeared at the Rock Against The Cuts concert at City University, London. On 16 July the band were in Brixton, performing at the Old Queen’s Head; two days later, on 18 July, they were at The Cotteridge Hotel, Woking. M.I.5. closed out July on Thursday 31 at Snoopy’s, Richmond. The next month, on 6 August, they could be found at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. The band also rehearsed at 5 Patcham Terrace, Battersea; Toyah Wilcox’s home, where a photography session provided the band photo for the back sleeve of their debut single.

M.I.5’s Smart on stage at the City of London University in 1980. Source: Keith Smart via M.I.5

M.I.5’s single received airplay on John Peel’s 27 May 1980 Radio 1 show; who, along with Mike Reed, championed the band. In early January ’81, Leigh lost it with audience at The Cricketers, Westfield, with many of the audience departing or vowing to avoid the band. They also headlined, News & Mail reporter, John Harlow’s Rock Night II, supported by The Choirboys and The Mighty Strypes, at The Cotteridge Hotel, Woking that year. Brian Taylor (keyboards) joined in ’81 and shortly after that Smart left to form Cutting Edge with Steve Baker of Squire; then GZ Image with Keith Roworth c’85.

“Television Screen Heroes” featured on the 2 CD compilation “Millions Like Us. Source: M.I.5

In Dec 2014, the band’s “Television Screen Heroes” was included on disc 2 of the “Millions Like Us – The Story Of The Mod Revival 1977-1989” box set on the Cherry Red Records label.

Towards the end of M.I.5., Smart and Leigh worked on a project they titled Blinded by Science whose demo received a glowing review in Melody Maker. Smart performed at the Ronnie Lane Tribute at The Royal Albert Hall in April 2004 and at the Syd Barrett Tribute at the Union Chapel, Islington in September 2006. He is a founding member and currently performing in the The St John’s Wood Affair.

Tracks:

Gallery:

MI5’s vocalist looses it with audience at Cricketers, Westfield. Clipping from the Soundscene column of 15 Jan 1981. Source: Mark Nesbit
Later that month, on 31 January 1980: Ticket for M.I.5, supported by The Different I’s, Rock Against The Cuts concert at City University, London. Source: M.I.5.
M.I.5. at The Woodenbridge, May 1980
Woking News & Mail
M.I.5 rehearsing at Toyah’s Battersea abode in 1980. Source: Keith Smart via M.I.5
M.I.5’s Keith Smart on stage at the City of London University in 1980. Source: Keith Smart via M.I.5
M.I.5. with the Junction 13 Scooter Club, outside The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’80. Source: Stephen Shilcock via Guildford Town Past & Present
9 May 1980: Deep in M.I.5’s archives was this cassette recording of their gig at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Source: M.I.5