The early days

Andy began his musical career while still at school fronting progressive punk band The Wailing Cocks. The band attracted a modicum of publicity via two singles on independent label Birds Best, recording two sessions for John Peel's Radio 1 show, Kid Jensen Live and on Radio 2's In Concert Live. At the age of 16, Andy joined Dexys Midnight Runners in late November 1979, playing on early recordings such as the hit single "Geno" and four other tracks on their debut album Searching for the Young Soul Rebels. just before the band were at No. 1 in the charts with this track, Andy left due to being physically attacked on several occasions by the drummer in the band.

Two earlier songs Andy had recorded with the Wailing Cocks were then licensed to Beggars Banquet Records for release as a double-A-sided solo single: "Move On (In Your Maserati)" / "Ruben Decides". These were both played on Radio 1 and were single of the week in 'Sounds'.

In early 1981, Andy teamed up with fellow ex-Dexys member Kevin "Al" Archer in his new band The Blue Ox Babes in which Andy played piano. harmonium, harmonica. and sung backing vocals. but this new venture fell apart in 1982 due to the well publicised fact that Kevin Rowland stole the whole sound and image and new direction of the band to make the 'too rye aye' album. This devastated Kevin Archer and ruined the band's chances of success.

The early days | Solo career | George Martin | The present