The Members

The Members
The Members in London, 2015
Background information
Origin	Camberley, England
Genres	Punk rock
Years active	1976–1983, 2007–present
Labels	Stiff, Virgin, Arista
Website	theMembers.co.uk
Members	Jean Marie Carroll Chris Payne Nigel Bennett Nick Cash
Past members	Rat Scabies Nicky Tesco Adrian Lillywhite Calle Engelmarc Paddy Carroll Gary Baker Steve Morley Clive Parker Steve Maycock Rudi Thompson Simon Lloyd Chuck Sabo Adam Maitland

The Members are a British punk band that originated in Camberley, England. Their biggest hit recording is "The Sound of the Suburbs", which reached 12 in the UK Singles Chart in 1979.

The Members were formed by lyricist Nicky Tesco (Nick Lightowlers) in 1976, through an invited audition at a recording studio at Tooley Street, London. The original personnel, with Tesco (vocals), was Gary Baker (guitar), and Steve Morley (bass guitar), initially with Steve Maycock then Clive Parker (drums). Morley and Parker were later replaced by Chris Payne and Adrian Lillywhite.

In 1976, the band performed for its first engagements at The Red Cow (London W6), The Windsor Castle (London W9) and The Nashville Rooms (London W14). In that year composer Jean Marie Carroll (aka JC Carroll) joined the band to complement Tesco's lyrics. The Members had recorded a number of songs, but the first released recording was "Fear on the Streets", produced by Lillywhite's brother Steve Lillywhite. This song was included on the first record released by the Beggars Banquet label, the punk compilation Streets (1977). The song-writing collaboration between Tesco and Carroll moved The Members' sound towards an incorporation of reggae, shown in the first single released for Stiff Records, "Solitary Confinement", produced by Larry Wallis. Following these releases, band personnel became Tesco (vocals), Carroll (vocals and guitar), Nigel Bennett (guitar), Payne (bass) and Lillywhite (drums).