[1][2] In 1982, Simon Gallup was bassist for The Cure, and Gary Biddles was a member of the band's road crew who was occasionally invited to sing onstage.

During the tour for the album Pornography, band relations had become contentious, and during a performance in Belgium, Biddles criticized other Cure members Robert Smith and Lol Tolhurst from the stage.

[3] Gallup formed a new band in 1983, originally known as The Cry, with singer Ian Fuller, guitarist Stuart Curran (formerly of The Magazine Spies), drummer Paul Thompson (formerly of Roxy Music), and keyboardist Matthieu Hartley (another former member of The Cure).

[4] The band was reformed under the name Fools Dance with Biddles on vocals, plus saxophonist Ron Howe, and (after using drum machines for a short period) drummer Pete Gardner.

[6][7] In 1987, Biddles reformed Fools Dance with bassist Jean-Jacques Burnel from The Stranglers, a returning Paul Thompson on drums, and guitarist Campbell McKellar.