Drowning Craze

Initially a vehicle for Angela Jaeger, a New York-born vocalist who had moved to London to study voice and musical theater, Drowning Craze was only together from 1980 to 1982. Although its post-punk approach put them on the cutting edge of early-'80s British music, they're best remembered as the breeding ground for musicians who went on to greater things. Jaeger left the band following the release of its debut single, "Storage Case", to return to college and went on to sing with The Monochrome Set, Billy MacKenzie, Disconnection, Bush Tetras, Pigbag and Instinct, while bassist Simon Raymonde became an important member of the Cocteau Twins. Drowning Craze released its most promising single after Jaeger's departure. Featuring the vocals of Chicago-born Frankie Nardiello (aka Groovie Mann), "Trance" was named "single of the week" by British music magazines, NME and Melody Maker. The group, however, never had a chance to fulfill their potential, disbanded by late 1982.