About

Leeds in the early 1980s was a simmering soup of politics and creativity. The remarkable output of Really captured that powerful flavour, and their compelling songs are now available on a remastered CD (click on the music page to hear and buy it).

They produced iconic imagery, they produced incisive music of tremendous subtlety, and they were massively ahead of their time.

This is your chance to catch up.

The history

The core of Really was forged in Leeds in 1980 around the song-writing of Kitty (then Marian) Lux, Dave Bowie and Mark Creswell. Kitty was studying fine art at Leeds University, alongside members of the Mekons, the Gang Of Four and Delta Five. Prior to Really, she sang with Sheeny And The Goys, and Severed Head And The Neck Fuckers. Dave and Mark were studying at Leeds College Of Music, and were sidemen for soul and jazz bands around the city. Dave had also recorded and toured with the Mekons.

Early performances featured Ansell Broderick on drums and Grant Spencer on organ, but from 1981 the band operated as a four-piece with Terry Neil on drums.

From the outset Really was highly regarded by broadcaster Andy Kershaw, who was then entertainments secretary at Leeds University. He became the band’s manager, arranging support slots for Really with acts including Elvis Costello And The Attractions, Orange Juice and Haircut 100.

When Kitty and George Hinchliffe initiated the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain in 1985, Dave was called upon to play double bass and continued to perform and record with them until 1987. George had previously played hammond organ with Dave (and Mark) in Snake Davis And The Alligator Shoes, a Leeds soul band which still performs as Snake Davis And The Suspicions. And Really’s final recordings featured George on guitar and piano instead of Mark.

Kitty (Marian) Lux died on 16 July 2017. Tributes to her included an obituary in The Guardian, which you can read here.