The original line-up was Stuart Staples, Gaynor Backhouse, Gary Watt and Rob Howard.
Dave Boulter (organ and accordion) replaced Rob Howard in 1989 and Will Carless (drums) also joined in 1989, just before they released their first EP, The Orchard, on the In-Tape label.
[1] Sounds listed them as a 'name for 1990'[2] and in the same week Melody Maker was touting them as "the first new band of this year to make the indie/mainstream crossover".
In 1991, the band relocated to London and shifted position again, this time to the pre-Tindersticks line-up featuring Stuart Staples (vocals), David Boulter (organ and accordion), Neil Fraser (guitar), Dickon Hinchliffe (guitar and strings), Al Macaulay (percussion and drums) and John Thompson (bass).
Mark Colwill replaced John Thomson in the last days before Asphalt Ribbons became Tindersticks.