NICK Heyward and school friends Graham Jones and Les Nemes, the core of Haircut One Hundred, started bands together as far back as 1977.

They were first known as Rugby, then the Boat Party, Captain Pennyworth and Moving England, before settling on Haircut One Hundred.

The band signed with Arista Records in 1981 and had four UK Top 10 singles between 1981—82. Their debut album, Pelican West (1982), written by Heyward, reached number two. It was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.

Work on the band’s second album commenced in October 1982 but, in January 1983, a statement was issued confirming that Heyward had left the band and percussionist Marc Fox had taken over on vocals.

At the time of the announcement, Heyward told Smash Hits magazine that he had been contemplating going solo for a while and had already recorded some tracks with session musicians. Haircut One Hundred never recovered from Nick’s departure and the band broke up shortly after.

Nick’s solo career began in 1983 with his debut album North of a Miracle which reached number ten in the UK charts and included three UK Top 14 singles.

In 1993 his single Kite taken from the album, From Monday to Sunday, made number four on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. To date he has released eight albums and 19 singles, six of which reached the Top 40 in the UK.

Nick Heyward will be playing highlights from his entire back catalogue at The Plough tomorrow (Friday) plus a preview of songs from his first solo album in over 15 years during this very limited run of live dates.

Support comes from local singer/songwriter Julian Langer.