China Crisis

China Crisis formed in 1979 in Kirkby, Merseyside, with core members Gary Daly on lead vocals and keyboards, and Eddie Lundon on guitar and vocals. Their early sound was influenced by artists such as Brian Eno, Steely Dan, and David Bowie. Initially a politically charged post-punk group, they evolved into a more commercial new wave and synth-pop act. The band released their debut single “African and White” in 1981 on the independent label Inevitable. Their first significant chart success came with a re-release of “African and White,” which reached No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1982. Their debut studio album, “Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It’s Fun to Entertain,” followed in November 1982, peaking at No. 21 on the UK Albums Chart. The single “Christian” from this album reached UK No. 12 in early 1983, bringing them national recognition.

The band’s second studio album, “Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume Two,” was released in October 1983. This album marked a shift towards a less synthetic sound, incorporating brass, woodwind, and string instruments. The single “Wishful Thinking” from this album became their first and only UK top 10 hit, peaking at No. 9 in early 1984. This period saw China Crisis touring extensively across Europe and North America, including supporting Simple Minds. Their third studio album, “Flaunt the Imperfection,” produced by Walter Becker of Steely Dan, reached No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart in May 1985 and was certified gold. This album included the notable singles “Black Man Ray,” which reached No. 14 in the UK, and “King in a Catholic Style,” a top 20 hit.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, China Crisis continued to release albums such as “What Price Paradise” (1986) and “Diary of a Hollow Horse” (1989), which featured further collaborations with Walter Becker. Their sixth studio album, “Warped by Success,” was released in 1994. Although studio output became less frequent, Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon consistently performed live, often as a duo or with varying backing musicians. In 2015, they released “Autumn in the Neighbourhood,” their first studio album in 21 years, following a successful PledgeMusic campaign. The band continues to tour, celebrating their musical legacy with performances at festivals and venues worldwide, including their announced “Flaunt the Imperfection 40th Anniversary Tour” in 2025–2026. Eddie Lundon also teaches songwriting at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, demonstrating a continued involvement in music education.