Cultivated, experimental English pop outfit formed in 1980 whose guru was the enigmatic Lawrence Hayward (b. Birmingham, West Midlands, England; vocals/guitar). Early collaborators included Maurice Deebank (guitar) and Nick Gilbert (bass), who practised together in a small village called Water Orton just outside Birmingham. By the time of their first album, released in 1984 on Cherry Red Records, drummer Tony Race had been replaced by Gary Ainge, and Gilbert departed to be replaced on bass by Mick Lloyd. Martin Duffy joined on organ for 1985's Ignite The Seven Cannons. Cult status had already arrived with the archetypal Felt track "Penelope Tree". The critical respect Felt was afforded continued, although the band enjoyed little in the way of commercial recognition. The nearest they came was the 1985 single "Primitive Painters", where they were joined by Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins in a stirring, pristine pop song produced by fellow Cocteau Robin Guthrie.
They signed to Creation Records in 1985. However, as Felt's contract with Cherry Red expired, so did the tenure of Hayward's fellow guitarist and co-writer, Deebank. The latter, classically trained, had been an important component of the Felt sound, and was chiefly responsible for the delicate but intoxicating drama of early releases. Their stay at Creation saw high points in Forever Breathes The Lonely Word (1986) and Poem Of The River (1987). On the latter they were joined by Marco Thomas, Tony Willé and Neil Scott to add to the melodic guitar broadside. Felt bowed out with Me And A Monkey On The Moon, after a final move to Él Records, at which time guitar duties had switched to John Mohan.
By the end of the 80s the band was no more, having achieved their stated task of surviving 10 years, 10 singles, and 10 albums (Bubblegum Perfume is an archive release of their Creation material, The Felt Box Set compiles their Cherry Red recordings). Hayward chose to concentrate on his new project, 70s revivalists Denim. Duffy joined Primal Scream, while Ainge and Thomas formed Fly.
