Haircut 100

Haircut One Hundred, also known as Haircut 100, is a British pop group formed in 1980 in Beckenham, London. The band was founded by Nick Heyward, Les Nemes, and Graham Jones. Early on, Heyward and Nemes had been involved in multiple bands such as Rugby, Boat Party, and Captain Pennyworth. These earlier projects did not release music. After forming Haircut 100 with Graham Jones and eventually joined by drummer Patrick Hunt, saxophonist Phil Smith, and percussionist Marc Fox, the group signed with Arista Records in 1981.

The band’s debut single, “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl),” released in late 1981, reached No. 4 in the UK Singles Chart. During the recording of their debut album, “Pelican West,” Blair Cunningham replaced Hunt on drums. In January 1982, their second single, “Love Plus One,” became another UK top 10 hit. “Pelican West” was released in February 1982, reaching No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart. The band achieved international recognition and toured globally. “Love Plus One” also entered the US top 40. In 1982, they secured further UK top 10 hits with “Fantastic Day” and “Nobody’s Fool.”

In early 1983, Nick Heyward departed from the band due to internal tensions and stress, although he later clarified that he was effectively dismissed. Following his departure, Marc Fox assumed lead vocal duties. The band then signed with Polydor Records and released the single “Prime Time,” which reached No. 46. Subsequent singles and their 1984 album, “Paint and Paint,” did not replicate earlier success, leading to the band’s split. Heyward subsequently pursued a successful solo career. Haircut 100 has since reunited on multiple occasions, including for a VH1 “Bands Reunited” episode in 2004, and later for performances in 2011 and from 2023 onwards. In 2024, the band toured the United States and Canada, releasing a new single, “The Unloving Plum.”