Marine Girls

Lore & Background

Marine Girls formed in 1979 when Tracey Thorn and Gina Hartman, who met through a shared interest in music, began making music. Thorn initially played guitar while Hartman sang and played percussion; Thorn overcame her shyness and started singing by the time they made records. They were later joined by Jane Fox on bass and her sister Alice Fox on joint vocals and percussion. The group recorded a self-produced cassette, A Day by the Sea, featuring songs like 'Getting Away from It All' and 'Harbours'. Their debut album Beach Party was recorded in a garden shed by Pat Bermingham and released on In-Phaze, then re-released by Dan Treacy of Television Personalities on Whaam! Records. In September 1981, Thorn moved to Hull to attend university, and Hartman left the band in 1981 to pursue other projects, while the Fox sisters went to art school in Brighton. Despite these changes, the group continued to perform and released a second album, Lazy Ways, in April 1983, which was ranked number 42 among NME's Albums of the Year. Marine Girls recorded two Peel Sessions: one in 1982 with five songs and another in 1983 with four songs, including a cover of Buzzcocks' 'Love You More'. The group formally disbanded in 1983.

Reader's Guide

Marine Girls are significant as a key example of the early 1980s DIY post-punk scene in England, contemporaries of Young Marble Giants and The Raincoats. Their self-released cassette and low-budget album Beach Party, recorded in a garden shed, exemplify the era's independent spirit. The group's influence extends beyond their brief existence: Beach Party was listed among Kurt Cobain's 50 favourite albums, indicating their impact on later alternative and grunge music. After disbanding, members pursued notable careers: Tracey Thorn formed Everything But The Girl with Ben Watt, achieving commercial success; Jane and Alice Fox formed Grab Grab the Haddock and later became academics at the University of Brighton; Gina Hartman continued making music with Fenestration. The band's two albums were reissued as a two-fer CD by Cherry Red in 1997, preserving their legacy. Their Peel Sessions and compilation appearances further document their contribution to post-punk.

Did You Know?

• Beach Party was named one of Kurt Cobain's 50 favourite albums in his diaries.
• Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt formed Everything But The Girl after meeting at Hull University.
• The group's second album Lazy Ways was ranked number 42 among NME's Albums of the Year.