The Only Ones formed in London in the late 1970s, with Peter Perrett on vocals and guitar, John Perry on guitar, Alan Mair on bass, and Mike Kellie on drums. They released their self-titled debut album in 1978, followed by 'Even Serpents Shrine' in 1979. Their sound had a punk energy but moved beyond it with Perrett's distinctive songwriting.
Their 1979 single 'Another Girl, Another Planet' became their best-known track, a bittersweet love song with a memorable guitar line. Other songs like 'Breaking Down' and 'City Of Fun' showed their range, from tense rock to more melodic moments. The band's work didn't fit neatly into commercial categories, which kept them from wider success at the time.
Perrett's personal struggles affected the band's stability, and they broke up in the early 1980s after releasing a compilation album. They briefly reunited in the 1990s for 'Baby's Got a Gun', but it was their original late-70s recordings that defined them. The Only Ones' music, particularly 'Another Girl, Another Planet', found a lasting audience after their initial run.
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