The band formed in the early 1980s, initially as Farmlife by Andy Mosquera (vocals), Steve Gerrard (bass), Dave Mitcheson (guitar), Simon Crane (saxophone) and Mark Thompson (drums), who met on a fine art course at Leicester Polytechnic. They released one single under this name in 1982, “Susie’s Party” (later covered by Yeah Yeah Noh); A second single on Dan Treacy’s Whaam! label was withdrawn. In 1984 Farmlife split up, and Andy “Jesus” Mosquera (vocals), Steve Gerrard (guitar), Mark Thompson (drums) formed the The Bomb Party, with Sarah Corina (bass). They took their their name from a Graham Green novel, debuting in 1985 with the Ray Gun EP on the Abstract label, the new sound described as “a Molotov cocktail of hardcore grebo gothability lying somewhere between The Cramps and Bauhaus”. The debut album Drugs appeared in 1986. Signing to the Workers Playtime label, they released a second album, 1987’s Liberace Rising, now featuring Leszek Rataj on guitar, preceded by a compilation of their early Abstract singles, The Last Supper. A year later they signed to Normal records, releasing their most commercial record, a cover of The Archies’ “Sugar Sugar” (featuring Voice Of The Beehive on backing vocals) followed in 1989 by the album, Fish. A final album, Nativity #3 appeared on Artlos in 1990, the band split up immediately after it was recorded. The band played their final gig at The Powerhaus in London on December 17, 1989.
Thompson subsequently joined members of Gaye Bykers on Acid and The Janitors in the band G.R.O.W.T.H., who released the album For Lack Of Horses They Straddle Dogs. Mosquera reverted to a career in fine art. Corina joined The Mekons and Striplight (with Alex Mitchell of Curve). She has also recorded with Bill Carter of Screaming Blue Messiahs.
