The 80s was a period like no other in Birmingham, with a number of incredible bands emerging from the city.
As the decade arrived, so did electronic dance music and new wave, also known as Modern Rock. The New Romantics underground subculture movement also gripped the nation - characterised by flamboyant, eccentric fashion inspired by the glam rock of the 70s as well as fashion boutiques such as Kahn and Bell which was located on Birmingham's Hurst Street.
The iconic Rum Runner nightclub on Broad Street also became the place to be for music fans as the venue played a significant role in the New Romantics scene in the city - hosting a number of Birmingham's up-and-coming bands at the time, including Duran Duran.
It was certainly a glamorous and glitzy decade - but it was also a time of great civil unrest for Birmingham with the Handsworth Riots and huge job losses.
Industries were dying out with Birmingham’s car industry hit. Margaret Thatcher also came to power, and for many Brummies it was a final nail in the coffin due to the recession of the early 1980s that saw Birmingham’s economy collapse. Despite the economic difficulties, many bands created music in the face of this, with some going on to achieve worldwide fame in the process.
Here is a look back at some of the best bands to come out of the city during the era.
5. Swans Way
Formed in Birmingham in 1982, Swans Way were firm local faves who rehearsed in the legendary Rum Runner venue. The trio cracked the UK Top 20 in 1984 with their second single, the epic Soul Train. Big things were expected of Robert Shaw (vocals), Maggie K De Monde (vocals, percussion) and Rick P. Jones (double bass) - who made numerous TV appearances, including The Old Grey Whistle Test. But sadly, the trio sadly split in 1985. | Swans Way
6. Scarlet Fantastic
After Swans Way imploded, Maggie and Rick (who’d previously played together in Brum post-punk/ New Romantic hopefuls The Playthings) reconvened in Sparkhill as Scarlet Fantastic, describing themselves as an "anti-depression act." A BBC Radio One session and appearance on the legendary The Tube followed, leading to debut single No Memory, which hit number 24 in the charts in 1987. | Dave Freak
7. The Beat
The Beat were a punky reggae band whose massive hits included Mirror In The Bathroom, Tears of A Clown and the politically charged Stand Down Margaret - feferring to the want for the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to resign. The band's debut studio album, I Just Can't Stop It, was released in 1980, entering the UK albums chart at No. 3 before the group went on to have a successful career | Dave Wakeling from The Beat ((Photo credit Bryan Kremkau)
8. Fashiøn
If there was ever a band that was going to challenge Duran Duran, it was going to be Fashiøn. Formed in 1979 as a new wave act, they played alongside The Police, U2, UB40, Toyah, Cov’s Hazel O’Connor, Gang Of Four and boasted Duran as a support act. Despite the group cracking the Top 10, sustained mainstream success eluded the band, and - following various line-up shifts - Fashiøn split after their third LP, 1984’s Twilight Of Idols, only limped to no.69 in the charts. | google