Kitchens of Distinction did not attain the commercial success or widespread recognition of their other shoegaze contemporaries, as Fitzgerald was openly gay and touched upon the topic often in his lyrics.

[6][10] An example was at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town on 6 August 1990, where the band appeared in drag and played ABBA, David Bowie, and Bauhaus covers.

Their second album Strange Free World was released in February 1991,[11] and spawned some moderately successful A-sides in "Drive that Fast" and "Quick as Rainbows", both of which were very well received by college radio in the US.

In retrospect, Swales said that the tour was a "complete waste of time and a disaster from start to finish" because of the mismatch between Vega's soft rock stylings and Kitchens of Distinction's loudness.

OLI rejected the album twice, and eventually, both label and band agreed to bring in up-and-coming producer Pascal Gabriel to work on a couple of tracks.

and signing to the London-based indie label Fierce Panda Records, they issued a single, "Feel My Genie" in May 1996,[8] which was named 'Single of the Week' by Melody Maker, but the group officially disbanded that summer after a farewell gig at Kings Cross in London.

He also formed Lost Girls, a project with 4AD recording artist Heidi Berry; one single titled "Needle's Eye" was released, eventually followed by a full album in 2014.

Despite rumours of a collaboration with Terry Bickers (of The House of Love and Levitation),[citation needed] Swales moved into writing scores for film, theatre, and dance.

Lost Girls' long-awaited album was released in October 2014 by 3 Loop Music on vinyl, download and as a 2CD expanded edition (featuring demos and extra tracks).