The Wonder Stuff formed in 1986 in an area of the Midlands known as The Black Country. Their first EP, A Wonderful Day, was released on the band's own Far Out Recording Company and financed by Rob Jones (aka The Bass Thing, the band's original bassist) after a fortuitous win on the Football Pools. Although this release had only a small impact on a loyal following it did bring the band to the attention of Polygram Publishing who helped finance the band's second release Unbearable, a UK Indie Chart Number One single. Whether it was this early commercial success, or the incalculable number of live shows the band were apt to perform during 1987, they were quickly signed to Polydor Records at the end of that year. Touring being the band's main activity they recorded their debut album, The Eight Legged Groove Machine over a period of twenty eight days in 1988, taking time off from support tours with Big Country, Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction and Pop Will Eat Itself among others. Although it took a further three single releases to reach the Official British Top 40, The Wonder Stuff regularly graced the covers of New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Sounds – the three essential music weeklies of the day. It was here that the arrogant, self-confident manner of vocalist/guitarist Miles Hunt, began to make something of himself beyond the sneering lyrical content of the band's songs, a personality known well to thousands of fans that had seen them live. |