Transvision Vamp

Transvision Vamp
Transvision Vamp promotional photo (1991)
Background information
Origin	Putney, London, England
Genres	Pop punk, alternative rock, post-punk
Years active	1986–1991
Labels	Uni Records, MCA Records
Associated acts	Bush, The Partisans, Racine
Past members	Wendy James Nick Christian Sayer Dave Parsons Anthony Doughty Pol Burton James Piper Martin Hallett

Transvision Vamp were a British alternative rock group. Formed in 1986 by Nick Christian Sayer and Wendy James, the band enjoyed chart success in the late 1980s with their pop/punk sound. James, the lead singer and focal-point of the group, attracted media attention with her sexually charged and rebellious image.

The band's original line-up was James, Sayer, Dave Parsons (bass), Tex Axile (keyboards) and Pol Burton (drums). Parsons and Axile had both been in punk bands prior to joining the band; Parsons in The Partisans, and Axile in various bands, most notably The Moors Murderers and X-Ray Spex offshoot Agent Orange.

The band were signed by MCA in December 1986 and released their first single, "Revolution Baby", the following year. It stalled at #77 in the UK in September 1987. A cover of the Holly and the Italians' song, "Tell That Girl to Shut Up", was released as the band's second single in March 1988, reaching #45 on the UK Singles Chart. The single became their only charting entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at #87.

The band's third single, "I Want Your Love", with its pop/punk crossover appeal, became their first major hit, topping the Norwegian singles chart, and peaking within the top 10 in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland. Moderate success was achieved with a re-release of "Revolution Baby", which peaked within the top 40 in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Fourth single, "Sister Moon", narrowly missed the UK top 40.