Locating UK Bands Trivia Quiz

This punk band formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1977. Their early songs were inspired by the clashes between Catholics and Protestants, known as 'The Troubles'. Early singles were called 'Suspect Device' and 'Alternative Ulster', reflecting this period. The band didn't hit the singles charts, but their albums sold well. The band was active until 1982 before splitting up only to reform in 1987 and are still performing into the 2020s. Lead singer Jake Burns is still with the band.

Another band from Belfast was Them, famous for being where Van Morrison began his long career.

The first of two Scottish bands in the quiz, Simple Minds hail from Glasgow where they created their band in 1977. The band is still together in the 2020s with lead singer Jim Kerr still performing with them - Charlie Burchell is the only other original member still remaining. The other members joined only this century.

The band has issued numerous studio albums, plus live albums, compilations and box sets. Of their singles, 'Promised You a Miracle' (1982) and 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' (1985) are probably the best known. The latter was helped considerably by being included on the soundtrack of the successful film 'The Breakfast Club' in 1985.

Edinburgh was where one of Scotland's most successful bands formed, although they took their name from Bay City in Michigan. The band which became the Bay City Rollers got together in the 1960s, but their heyday was the 1970s when they had numerous hits. Members included guitarist Eric Faulkner and singer Les McKeown and the band adopted a distinctive appearance, wearing tartan trimmed jackets and three-quarter length trousers.

Hits during this period included UK number ones 'Bye, Bye, Baby' and 'Give a Little Love'. The band also had some success in the USA. By the end of the decade, though, their star had fallen and several members quit, or were kicked out, including McKeown. A version of the band continues to perform into the twenty-first century.

Other Edinburgh bands include Idlewild and The Incredible String Band.

The Manic Street Preachers got together in a place called Blackwood, near Caerphilly, South Wales, in 1986 and are led by singer James Dean Bradfield Richey Edwards joined the band in 1989 with his primary role being to provide lyrics for the band's songs. He disappeared in 1995 and has been declared dead subsequently. Among the band's songs are 'A Design for Life' (1996) and 'The Masses Against the Classes' (2000).

Stereophonics are another well known Welsh band, who formed in Cardiff - too close to Caerphilly on a map to be included as well.

Formed in 1991, Oasis was a band based on the two Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam. They were both born in Manchester and that was where the band got together, although Noel joined a little later than Liam. Success came relatively quickly, with every one of the seven albums released between 1994 and 2008 reaching number one on the Official UK Albums Chart. The first was 'Definitely Maybe' - others include '(What's the Story) Morning Glory' (1995) and 'Standing on the Shoulder of Giants' (2000).

The band went through an acrimonious breakup in 2009, with the brothers each pursuing their own individual careers, while suing each other over various comments and songwriting credits. Ironically, between my starting the quiz and finishing it they announced their 2025 reunion tour.

Other bands from Manchester are The Hollies, The Smiths and M People.

The best known members of The Animals are Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler and Alan Price. The band formed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the northeast of England in 1963 and their first big hit was 'The House of the Rising Sun', the following year. They followed this success with songs such as 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' and 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place', both in 1965.

Chas Chandler left the band and became a successful music producer while Alan Price departed in 1965 to form his own, very successful, band. Burdon still performs using variations of The Animals name but with none of the original band members.

One of the many bands to come from Liverpool, Frankie Goes to Hollywood formed in 1980 with Holly Johnson as the lead vocalist. Their first album, 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome', was released in 1984 and spawned hits such as 'Relax', 'Two Tribes' and 'The Power of Love'. The first song, in particular, caused some controversy due to the lyrics, but the story of it being banned by the BBC only increased sales.

The band was relatively short-lived, releasing only one further album ('Liverpool') in 1986 before disbanding in 1987 amid tensions between Johnson and the rest of the band.

Other famous bands from Liverpool include Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Searchers and, of course, The Beatles.

The Moody Blues were formed in Birmingham in 1964 and their first big hit, 'Go Now', soon arrived. Two founder members then left, with Justin Hayward and John Lodge joining the band to replace them in 1965. They took the band in a new direction, making them pioneers of what became known as progressive rock. Songs such as 'Nights in White Satin' and 'The Voice' mixed pop music with orchestral music and the band continued to be successful for many years.

Other bands from Birmingham are Black Sabbath and ELO to name just a couple.

A band that formed in the west of England, in Bristol, Portishead took their name from the town located on the River Severn and close to the city. Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons were the two original members, meeting in Bristol in 1991 and planning their first album 'Dummy', released in 1994. It featured the genre called trip hop. Adrian Utley joined the band after this album and the three of them remain performing into the 2020s.

Two other studio albums followed, 'Portishead' in 1997 and 'Third' in 2008. The band has garnered numerous awards during their career including the Mercury Prize, Brit Awards and MTV Awards.

One of the longest lasting bands, The Rolling Stones first got together in London in 1962. Their first regular line-up consisted of Mick Jagger, the lead singer, guitarist Keith Richards, drummer Charlie Watts, bass guitarist Bill Wyman and the original band leader Brian Jones. After Jones left, or was sacked, in 1969, Jagger and Richards became the leading forces of the band - Jones died from drowning soon after departing.

The Stones had a harder edge than their contemporaries, The Beatles, and also had a successful song writing partnership, with Jagger and Richards writing songs such as 'Ruby Tuesday'. Ronnie Wood joined the band in 1975 and he, Richards and Jagger are still performing with the band in the 2020s despite being well beyond the normal retirement age.