(c.’81-’82/’83) – Dave King (guitar), “Big” John Preston (Bass), Mark McKenzie (vocals), and Dave Cheke (drums).
This Woking based band, managed by Dave Tiffen – who did publicity and organized gigs – had been originally called the Tel Aviv Quartet. The Sleep produced and released an 8-track demo cassette on which they covered Tim Buckley’s “Dolphins”.
The Tel Aviv Quartet reinvented themselves over January ’81 and emerged as The Sleep in late January ’81 with a maiden gig under the new monica at The Cricketers, Westfield on 7 February ’81 followed by an appearance at Snoopy’s, Richmond five days later, on 12 February. When the Civic Hall, Guildford hosted The Jam on 7 July ’81, The Sleep supported. The band also played The Star, Guildford in August or September ’81, where they were photographed by Fred Pipes for the Barbed Wire fanzine. They also supported The Birthday Party, along with Imperfect Hold, at University of Surrey, Guildford on 24 October ’81, at which Nick Cave puked on stage.
Guitarist King was also the drummer in Basic Essentials, who were also managed by Tiffen and gets credit for some of that band’s lyrics. Cheke got together with Chris Searle (guitar), Andy Clarke (drums), and Paul Slydell (bass) of White Colours to form In Motion.
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