the Rumour

by Chris WoodstraThe Rumour are best known as Graham Parkers backing band during his heyday, but the band also took a stab at their own recording career. And even though they were overshadowed by their association with Parker and never received much attention for their efforts, they did manage to make three albums of really enjoyable music in the mold of a new wave-ish pub-rock band. The Rumour consisted of pub-rock veterans Bob Andrews (keyboards) and Brinsley Schwarz (guitar/vocals) from the legendary Brinsley Schwarz, Martin Belmont (guitar/vocals) from Ducks Deluxe, and Stephen Goulding (drums/vocals) and Andrew Bodnar from Bontemps Roulez. The group formed in 1975 as Graham Parkers backing band, recording and touring with him off and on through 1980. In 1977, they signed their own deal with Phonogram and released their debut album, Max, the same year. They followed with Frogs Sprouts Clogs and Krauts for Stiff in 1979 and Purity of Essence in 1980, and also worked extensively as one of Stiffs house bands, backing up Elvis Costello on Watching the Detectives, as well as Carlene Carter, Rachel Sweet, Nick Lowe, and Dave Edmunds. By the end of 1980, lack of real success on their own led to their breakup.