A Certain Ratio

Though formed in Manchester's late-'70s punk scene, A Certain Ratio used an increasing amount of electronics throughout the '80s to become more of a dancefloor-oriented band, much like Factory label-mates New Order. The group (whose name is a pointer to a Brian Eno song) was formed in 1977 by vocalists Simon Topping and Martha Tilson, bassist Jeremy Kerr, guitarist Peter Terrell and guitarist/trumpeter Martin Moscrop -- drummer Donald Johnson later replaced a drum machine. New Order's manager Rob Gretton was impressed by early live shows, and spread the word to Tony Wilson, who signed the group to his fledgling Factory label and became their first manager. In 1979, A Certain Ratio released the cassette-only album The Graveyard And The Ballroom (including one side each of studio and live material) and a debut single, "All Night Party."