Seven (band)

Seven
Left to right: Austin Lane (drums), Simon Lefevre (keyboards/vocals), Mick Devine (lead vocals), Pat Davey (bass guitar/vocals) and Keith McFarlane (guitar/vocals).
Background information
Origin	Bournemouth, UK
Genres	AOR, rock
Years active	1989–1990, 2014
Labels	Polydor
Associated acts	John Parr

Seven was an AOR band formed in Bournemouth who recorded two singles, both having minor success within the UK.

The band formed in 1989, consisting of Mick Devine (lead vocals), Keith McFarlane (guitar/vocals), Pat Davey (bass guitar/vocals), Simon Lefevre (keyboards/vocals) and Austin Lane (drums).

The band formed from the remnants of the South African band "Face to Face". McFarlane and LeFevre (including his brother John LeFevre) found considerable success with "Face to Face" over a period of 18 months. The band released a number of singles and one album, before the band split up. At the same time Devine was playing drums in the band UC27. When McFarlane and the LeFevre brothers returned to the UK, it was decided that the band should be bought back again, but within the UK. Devine left South Africa, without having met the trio beforehand, and the band were first based in Woking. The band met their original manager Mike Parker at a talent show, and after this the band relocated to Bournemouth. Devine was initially planned to be the band's drummer after being approached by John LeFevre. However the group considered Devine a better singer, and he then became lead vocalist. The band then changed their name to Seven. Devine was originally the National Skateboard Champion.

John Wolff soon joined Parker to co-manage the band, and together the management secured a support slot on the first nationwide tour of Brother Beyond. During this time the band built up live experience and a sizeable fan base. Soon after the band attracted the attention of Phillip Schofield and a record executive's wife. Schofield began playing the band's demos on Radio One, and expressed his wishes for the band to record another demo. Within this same period the band were on tour when they found themselves signing a deal with Polydor Records. The wife and children of the head of Polydor had watched one of the shows, and she returned home to tell her husband that he needed to sign the group. This combined with the band's touring, fan base and Schofield's support on radio, led the band to sign a contract. As an attempt to create some media hype, Schofield was on hand as witness of the record deal signing. In 1989/1990, Seven were backing band for two Brother Beyond tours and Jason Donavan. They also toured with The Monkees, and with Richard Marx.