View source for The La's

{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{for|the self-titled album by the band|The La's (album)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = The La's
| image             = The La's in 1990.jpg
| alt               = Black and white image of The La's standing in a doorway
| caption           = The La's in 1990 <br/>Left to right: [[Lee Mavers]], Peter "Cammy" Cammell, Neil Mavers and [[John Power (musician)|John Power]]
| background        = group_or_band
| origin            = [[Liverpool]], England
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Jangle pop]]|[[Indie pop]]|[[Britpop]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2021/10/classic-album-the-las-the-las/|title=Making The La's|date=25 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/09/the-25-best-albums-of-the-britpop-era/|title=The 25 Best Albums of the Britpop Era|date=30 September 2020|website=SPIN}}</ref>|[[Skiffle]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=Andrew |title=The La's Callin' All Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/pgd3/ |access-date=1 October 2025 |date=2010}}</ref>}}
| years_active      = 1983–1992, 1994–1995, 2005, 2011
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Go! Discs|Go!]]
* [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
* [[The Viper Label|Viper]]
}}
| current_members   = 
| past_members      = [[Lee Mavers]] 
* Neil Mavers
* [[John Power (musician)|John Power]]
* Peter "Cammy" Cammell
*(see [[#Other members|Band members section]] for others)
}}

'''The La's''' were an English [[Rock music|rock]] band from [[Liverpool]], originally active from 1983 until 1992. Fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist [[Lee Mavers]], the group are best known for their hit single "[[There She Goes (The La's song)|There She Goes]]". The band was formed by [[Mike Badger]] in 1983 and Mavers joined the next year, although for most of the group's history, the frequently changing line-up revolved around the core duo of Lee Mavers (vocals, guitar) and [[John Power (musician)|John Power]] (bass, backing vocals) along with numerous other guitarists and drummers including [[Paul Hemmings]], John "Timmo" Timson, Peter "Cammy" Cammell, Iain Templeton, John "Boo" Byrne, [[Chris Sharrock]],  and Neil Mavers.

After the departure of Badger in late 1986, the band signed to [[Go! Discs]] in 1987 and started recording their debut album. Following the release of singles "[[Way Out (The La's song)|Way Out]]" (1987), "There She Goes" (1988) and "[[Timeless Melody]]" (1990) and having aborted several recording sessions with different producers, the band released their debut album, ''[[The La's (album)|The La's]]'', in 1990 to critical acclaim and modest commercial success. John Power left the La's to form [[Cast (band)|Cast]] and the group entered a prolonged hiatus in 1992. The group later reformed briefly in the mid-1990s, 2005 and 2011, but no new recordings have been released.

==History==

===1983–1986: Formation and early years===
The La's formed in 1983, with original member [[Mike Badger]] stating that the band name occurred to him in a dream, as well as it being [[Scouse]] for "lads" ("La'" is just an abbreviation for "lad", so "The La's" simply means "The Lads") and also having obvious musical connotations. The band existed briefly as an arthouse/[[skiffle]]-type outfit with a few tracks released on local compilations. [[Lee Mavers]] joined in 1984 as rhythm guitarist, eventually gaining songwriting prominence and emerging as the band's enduring figurehead. Bernie Nolan,  accomplished musician formerly of the Falcons, The Russian Rockabillys and The Swampmen was the original bassist. [[John Power (musician)|John Power]] joined the group in 1986, having met Badger on a local council-run musicianship course. Badger left the group in late 1986 to form [[the Onset]].<ref>{{cite book |title=[[In Search of The La's: A Secret Liverpool]] |author=MW Macefield |year=2003 |publisher=Helter Skelter Publishing |location=London |isbn=1-900924-63-3 |page=174}}</ref>

The band attracted the attention of several record labels after a series of performances in their hometown in 1986, and demo tapes copied from a session at the Flying Picket rehearsal studio in Liverpool began circulating. One of these demo tapes was sent to Underground Magazine. A journalist there with the task of reviewing unsigned bands gave the cassette to Andy McDonald at Go Discs. Several record labels later became interested in signing the band. The band chose to sign with [[Go! Discs]].

===1987–1990: Record deal and ''The La's'' album===
[[Image:NeilMaversLudwigDrumSet-Pic04-Oct2006.jpg|thumb|Neil Mavers' 1964 Ludwig drum kit used during his time in the La's]]

The band's first single, "Way Out", was mixed with [[Record producer|producer]] Gavin MacKillop. When it was released in October 1987, it broke into the top 100 and was praised by [[the Smiths]]' frontman [[Morrissey]] in the music magazine ''[[Melody Maker]]'', but attracted little notice. The band continued to perform around the UK and gained success as a live act, drawing comparisons to [[the Beatles]] due to their origins, vaguely [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] sound, and Mavers' expressive lyrics. "[[There She Goes (The La's song)|There She Goes]]" was released in 1988 with the [[B-side]]s "Come in Come Out" and "Who Knows". The song garnered moderate attention and airplay, but performed poorly in the charts. The [[music video]] for "There She Goes" features the La's scampering through run-down Liverpool streets and was filmed in an afternoon on a hand-held camera. It was re-released a number of times, the earliest being 1990's [[Steve Lillywhite]] mix. After working with producer Jeremy Allom at the Pink Museum Studio in Liverpool in May 1989, the band were set to release "[[Timeless Melody]]" as a single. While test pressings had been sent out for review, and it was awarded "single of the week" in ''[[Melody Maker]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philspector.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/golas_312-melody_maker-may_27-19891.jpg?w=450 |author=Bob Stanley |title=Single of the Week: The La's – Timeless Melody |publisher=Philspector.files.wordpress.com |access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref> Mavers was reportedly unhappy with the production and the single release was scrapped.

The La's then spent two years fruitlessly recording and re-recording their intended debut album, with a constantly changing band line-up, where only the core of Mavers and Power remained the same. Discarded producers included The Smiths' producer [[John Porter (musician, born 1947)|John Porter]], as well as [[John Leckie]] and [[Mike Hedges]]. Both Leckie and Hedges have nevertheless spoken positively in interviews about the band's songs and their respective sessions. The previously volatile band line-up settled in 1989 with Lee's brother, Neil Mavers on drums, and Peter "Cammy" Cammell as lead guitarist. The group then entered London's [[Eden Studios (recording facility)|Eden Studios]] in December 1989 to again record their debut album with [[Simple Minds]] and [[U2]] producer [[Steve Lillywhite]]. Despite this line-up being arguably the most stable, and press interviews from the time painting them as extremely confident, the sessions still did not satisfy Mavers. In one instance Mavers was reported to have rejected a vintage [[mixing desk]], claiming it did not have the right sound because "it hasn't got original Sixties dust on it",<ref>Steve Jelbert, "Pop: The One and Only" ''The Independent'' (London: 26 January 2001, p. 16)</ref> although this claim has since been revealed as apocryphal. The Eden sessions with Lillywhite would become the band's final attempt at recording the album. The frustration of not achieving the right sound and mood in their songs, as well as increasing friction with Go! Discs, who had spent considerable money on recording sessions for the album, led to them simply giving up on the sessions. Lillywhite pieced together the recordings he had made with the group into what became the eventually released album. The band, particularly Lee Mavers, were not pleased with this decision. Among the band's complaints were that Lillywhite used vocal guide tracks on the LP and that he did not "understand" their sound.<ref name=maconie/> In an October 1990 ''[[NME]]'' interview with [[Stuart Maconie]], Mavers said that he "hated" the album because of the sound, which was "All f---ed up like a snake with a broken back".<ref name=maconie>{{cite journal|url=http://www.the-las.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=617|journal=[[NME]]|author=Stuart Maconie|author-link=Stuart Maconie|date=20 October 1990|title=This Could Be The La's Time}}</ref>

Recognition, at least critically, came for the La's in 1990 when the self-titled album, ''[[The La's (album)|The La's]]'', was released. The album reached No.&nbsp;30 in the UK charts and received a Silver certification, but the album did not fare as well overseas. The album only reached No.&nbsp;196 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and to date has sold fewer than 50,000 copies in the U.S.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} The album included, among new material, re-recorded versions of all the previous singles, including a remixed version of "There She Goes" which was then re-released as a single. This time around, the song reached number 13 in the [[UK singles chart]] and remains the most visible and enduring of all the band's songs. Additional singles from the album included the LP versions of "Timeless Melody" and "Feelin{{'-}}". Both sold reasonably well, reaching chart placings around the [[top 40]]. A short promotional tour proceeded, accompanied by television appearances on shows such as ''[[Top of the Pops]]''.

===1991–2003: John Power's departure and hiatus===
1991 promotional tour dates were fulfilled in the UK and Europe including a few festivals, and a US tour. Bassist [[John Power (musician)|John Power]] left the group on 13 December 1991, frustrated with having played essentially the same set of songs since 1986, and resurfaced a year later with his band [[Cast (band)|Cast]]. The remainder of the 1991 concerts were performed with James Joyce on bass as well as a handful of 1992 dates. The band stopped touring and rehearsing in 1992 until further short-lived reunions, with various line-ups, throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

The La's reunited sporadically for a series of live performances throughout 1994 and 1995. The comeback was brought about due to a merchandising debt from the 1991 U.S. tour and the band played support slots to artists such as [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Paul Weller]] and [[Dodgy]]. The reformed band consisted of differing line-ups for each concert and as well as Lee Mavers other performers included several former members such as Barry Sutton, Lee Garnett, John "Boo" Byrne, James Joyce, Peter "Cammy" Cammell and Neil Mavers.

In 1996, Mavers began recording at The Arch studio in [[Kew]], London owned by ex-[[The Damned (band)|the Damned]] drummer [[Rat Scabies]].<ref name="The Lost Boy">{{cite news |title=The Lost Boy |author=Dave Simpson |url=http://www.geocities.com/the_las/laguardian.html |newspaper=The Guardian |year=1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026153956/http://www.geocities.com/the_las/laguardian.html |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=1 July 2011}} [http://www.oocities.org/the_las/laguardian.html Alt URL]</ref> Initially working alone, he was later joined in the studio by ex-[[the Stairs]] frontman [[Edgar Jones (musician)|Edgar Jones]], Lee Garnett and Neil Mavers.<ref name="The Lost Boy"/> The sessions ended because of damp in the studio, however Mavers and Summertyme continued to rehearse and record in Liverpool for a year.<ref name="The Lost Boy"/> After the collapse of [[Go! Discs]], Mavers recording contract with the label was acquired by [[PolyGram]]<ref name="The Lost Boy"/> and eventually expired in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |title=Loner Lee Has the La's Laugh |author=Ben Todd |url=http://www.geocities.com/the_las/laDailyStar.html |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=21 July 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026154005/http://www.geocities.com/the_las/laDailyStar.html |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=1 July 2011}} [http://www.oocities.org/the_las/laDailyStar.html Alt URL]</ref> In 1998, Mavers began rehearsing with the then unsigned Liverpool band [[The Crescent (band)|the Crescent]]. A bootleg recording of one of these rehearsals known as The Crescent Tape would later leak on to the Internet.

In the late 1990s, Mavers renewed contact with founder member [[Mike Badger]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lesinrocks.com/musique/musique-article/t/21221/date/1999-10-31/article/lost-las-1984-1986-breakloose/ |title=Lost La's 1984–1986 – Breakloose |date=31 October 1999 |work=Les Inrocks |publisher=Les Inrockuptibles |language=fr |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> and subsequently two compilation albums of early demos and home recordings were released by [[The Viper Label]] (founded by ex-La's Badger and Hemmings), ''Lost La's 1984–1986: Breakloose'' (1999) and ''Lost La's 1986–1987: Callin' All'' (2001). A Japan only compilation album ''Singles Collection'' (2001) was released by [[Universal Music Japan]] containing all of the band's singles and b-sides released from 1987 to 1991. A biography about the band ''[[In Search of The La's: A Secret Liverpool]]'' by MW Macefield was published in 2003. The book contained interviews with many former members of the La's including Lee Mavers, John Power, Mike Badger, Paul Hemmings, Barry Sutton, Peter "Cammy" Cammell and Neil Mavers.

===2004–2011: Reformations===
Following a reunion between Mavers and [[John Power (musician)|John Power]],<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/las/16161 |title=The La's Broadcast? |date=16 February 2004 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/news/the-la-s-eyeing-reunion-2095779.story#/news/the-la-s-eyeing-reunion-2095779.story |title=The La's Eyeing Reunion? |date=19 February 2004 |work=Billboard.com |publisher=Billboard |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> the La's reformed in June 2005 with a line-up of Lee Mavers (vocals, guitar), John Power (bass, backing vocals), ex-Cracatilla frontman [[Jay Lewis (musician)|Jay Lewis]] (guitar) and Nick Miniski (drums), playing dates in England and Ireland ahead of an appearance at the [[Summer Sonic]] festival in Japan as well as a spot at the 2005 [[Glastonbury Festival]] and other UK festivals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=73278 |title=The La's Reform For Festival Show |date=18 March 2005 |work=Xfm |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4380247.stm |title=The La's reform for UK concerts |date=24 March 2005 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> After three concerts, Miniski was replaced as drummer by roadie Jim "Jasper" Fearon,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2005/06/16/music_thelas_review_feature.shtml |title=The La's – Live! |author=Dave Monks |date=28 June 2005 |work=BBC Liverpool |publisher=BBC |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117135954/http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2005/06/16/music_thelas_review_feature.shtml |archive-date=17 January 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> who was Mavers' school friend and one time bass player for the La's. The set lists were mostly the same as in the late 1980s, although certain encores contained some previously unheard songs such as "Gimme the Blues" and "Sorry". Since the reunion gigs it has been rumoured that Mavers has continued working on the La's' elusive second album. When interviewed in August 2006, John Power explained that Mavers was still "tinkering with something that's majestic" and of the release date, "I can’t tell you where and when...' cos whatever he does, whether it’s in this lifetime or the next, it can’t be rushed".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.troubadour.co.uk/programme_view.php?view%5Btype%5D=event&view%5Burl%5D=john-power |title=John Power |date=12 October 2006 |work=Troubadour |access-date=24 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720204239/http://www.troubadour.co.uk/programme_view.php?view%5Btype%5D=event&view%5Burl%5D=john-power |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A compilation of the La's' live radio sessions ''BBC in Session'' was released on 18 September 2006. In 2008, a new deluxe edition of ''The La's'' was released containing the lost Mike Hedges album, alternate recordings and live recordings for radio and television including previously unreleased songs "I Am the Key" and a [[Buddy Holly]] cover "[[That'll Be the Day]]". Also ''Lost Tunes'' (2008) was released as a download only EP of studio out-takes and alternate recordings.

After being introduced to each other by Gary Murphy of [[the Bandits (band)|the Bandits]],<ref name="NME 26 March 2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/pete-doherty/43707 |title=Pete Doherty plays gig with The La's frontman Lee Mavers |date=26 March 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> Lee Mavers began jamming with [[Pete Doherty]] in 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/pete-doherty/39141 |title=Pete Doherty and The La's team up |date=22 August 2008 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> and appeared on stage with Doherty during his 2009 tour.<ref name="NME 26 March 2009"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/pete-doherty/43762 |title=Pete Doherty closes solo tour with Lee Mavers and a stagediving stripper |date=30 March 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> Mavers then started performing live with artists such as [[Drew McConnell]] and [[Jon McClure]] in London in April 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-las/44266 |title=La's Lee Mavers plays gig with Carl Barat, Babyshambles |date=26 April 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> In 2009 [[Babyshambles]] drummer [[Adam Ficek]] revealed plans of the La's' second album to be recorded with the Babyshambles as backing band<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/nme/44183 |title=Lee Mavers planning second La's album with Babyshambles |date=22 April 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> and Drew McConnell revealed plans for him to join the La's as bassist;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-las/44946 |title=La's Lee Mavers' second album plan revealed |date=28 May 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> this supposed lineup did not materialise and live appearances were cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-las/46260 |title=The La's and The Rascals pull out of Tramlines festival |date=22 July 2009 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref> In 2010, a four-disc box-set of singles, b-sides, studio out-takes, alternate recordings and live material ''Callin' All'' (2010) was released by Polydor which collected most of the band's still unreleased recordings produced whilst signed to Go! Discs.

In June 2011 Lee Mavers, accompanied by Gary Murphy on bass guitar, played a surprise concert in Manchester under the name Lee Rude & The Velcro Underpants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-las/57425 |title=The La's Lee Mavers makes surprise comeback in Manchester |date=19 June 2011 |work=NME.com |publisher=NME |access-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> Following this Mavers and Murphy reformed the La's and played a series of "stripped back" shows across the UK and Europe<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/TheLasOfficial/status/103178905296437249 |title=@TheLasOfficial |author=The La's |date=15 August 2011 |publisher=Twitter |access-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> including a performance at [[Rock en Seine]] festival in France in August 2011.

==Musical style and legacy==
[[File:The La's artwork on "Superlambanana" in Liverpool, UK.jpg|thumb|The "core lineup" from 1990 to 1991.{{break}}From top to bottom: Neil Mavers, Peter Cammell, Lee Mavers, John Power.]]
Lee Mavers has described their sound as "rootsy"<ref>{{cite interview |subject= John Power |subject2= Lee Mavers |interviewer=Erica Ehm |title=Much Music |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9RekCrDPbI |type=Interview: video |date=2 July 1991 }}</ref> and "raw and organic",<ref name="X-Ray"/> whilst [[AllMusic]] have noted the band's "simple, tuneful, acoustic-driven arrangements".<ref name="Allmusic review"/> The La's were also noted for their distinctly different style to other popular British bands in the late 1980s, such as [[the Stone Roses]] and [[Happy Mondays]],<ref name="X-Ray"/><ref name="Allmusic review"/> who were part of the [[Madchester]] movement.

The sound of the La's has been compared to that of [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] and 1960s British [[rock music]],<ref name="Allmusic review">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-las-r11304/review |title=''The La's'' review |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |work=Allmusic |publisher=Rovi |access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> and the band received comparisons with the earlier Liverpudlian band [[the Beatles]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Likely La's |author=David Giles |url=http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lamerseybeaks.html |journal=NME |date=14 November 1987 |location=United Kingdom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026154010/http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lamerseybeaks.html |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=1 July 2011}} [http://www.oocities.org/the_las/lamerseybeaks.html Alt URL]</ref><ref name="Side Lines">{{cite journal |author=Bob Stanley |author-link=Bob Stanley (Saint Etienne) |date=10 June 1989 |title=Side Lines |journal=[[Melody Maker]] |location=United Kingdom |url=http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lammjune89.html |access-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026154005/http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lammjune89.html |archive-date=26 October 2009}} [http://www.oocities.org/the_las/lammjune89.html Alt URL]</ref> Founding member Mike Badger has named [[Captain Beefheart]] as the La's' main influence; the band have also cited artists such as [[Bo Diddley]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Louis Armstrong]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tomgraves.blogspot.gr/2004/11/interview-with-british-cult-icon-lee.html |title=Tom Graves' Blog: Interview with British Cult Icon Lee Mavers of the La's |publisher=Tomgraves.blogspot.gr |date=1 November 2004 |access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref> the Beatles, [[the Rolling Stones]], [[the Who]], [[the Kinks]],<ref>{{cite journal |author= Andrew Collins |author-link= Andrew Collins (broadcaster) |date= 26 November 1988 |title= The La's Chance |journal= [[NME]] |location= United Kingdom |url= http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lachancenme.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091026154010/http://www.geocities.com/the_las/lachancenme.html |archive-date=26 October 2009}} [http://www.oocities.org/the_las/lachancenme.html Alt URL]</ref> [[Bob Marley]],<ref name="X-Ray">{{cite interview |subject= John Power |subject2= Lee Mavers |title= The La's X-Ray |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9RekCrDPbI |type=Interview: video }}</ref> [[Pink Floyd]], [[Jimi Hendrix]],<ref name="Side Lines"/> [[Duke Ellington]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Lee Mavers Detests The La's Debut Album |author=Greg Kot |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/06/27/soft-sell-10/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |year=1991 |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]<ref>{{cite interview |subject= Lee Mavers |interviewer=Tom Graves |title=Interview with Lee Mavers of The La's |url=http://tomgraves.blogspot.co.uk/2004/11/interview-with-british-cult-icon-lee.html |work=Rock & Roll Disc |date=September 1991 }}</ref> as influences.

''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' named ''The La's'' as one of the best [[Britpop]] albums, placing the album at number 14 in their 50 Best Britpop Albums list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 50 Best Britpop Albums|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/10045-the-50-best-britpop-albums/|access-date=2020-10-14|website=Pitchfork|date=29 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> [[Noel Gallagher]] of [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] named it as one of his 13 favourite albums,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://thequietus.com/articles/07183-noel-gallagher-favourite-albums?page=5 | title= Noel Gallagher Selects His Thirteen Favourite Albums | work=[[The Quietus]] |first=John |last=Doran | date=17 October 2011 | access-date=26 October 2018}}</ref> and they have been cited as an influence by [[the Courteeners]],{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} the Stone Roses,{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} [[The Charlatans (English band)|the Charlatans]],{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} [[the Libertines]]{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} and [[the 1975]].{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Post-La's activities==

Bassist [[John Power (musician)|John Power]] went on to form [[Cast (band)|Cast]] in 1992, releasing 4 studio albums before splitting in 2001. Guitarists Barry Sutton and Peter Cammell featured in an early lineup of the band. Cast reformed in 2010. In 2016, Jay Lewis who performed with the band in 2005, later joined Cast as bassist.

[[Mike Badger]] and [[Paul Hemmings]] later played together in [[the Onset]] and started [[The Viper Label]], releasing many early recording compilations by the La's.

In the mid-'90s, Neil Mavers joined Liverpool group Bullit, featuring David McDonnell, later of [[the Sand Band]].

In 1998, Cammell and drummer Neil Mavers continued to work together after the La's' breakup under the name Cami. The band was managed by former La's and then-current Cast manager, Rob Swerdlow. The band recorded a nine-track album with future [[Coldplay]] producer Ken Nelson at Parr Street Studios in October 1999, but the band split up leaving the album unreleased. The album tapes re-surfaced in October 2015, with plans for a near-future release. In common with many tapes from the 90s and earlier they had become sticky and required baking to restore the oxide binder to its original condition and make them playable; this was carried out at London's FX Copyroom.

Neil Mavers and Cammell briefly reunited once more in 2002, performing with another former La's member, guitarist Barry Sutton in Heavy Lemon. The band played three shows in 18 months before disbanding. Cammell also performed with Sutton again in his jam-style project Beatnik Hurricane in 2015, playing dates in Liverpool, including residencies at The Everyman Bistro and a tour of Ireland, most notably a sold-out show in Dublin.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

In 2015, previous recordings and demos by Cammell's band surfaced online (most notably the song "Make A Chain"), which led to Cammell forming a new band named Cami & the Reverbs, managed by La's associate Chris Parkes. The band consisted of Mick Marshall (guitar, the Joneses) Phil Murphy (drums, the Red Elastic Band) Leon De Sylva (drums, [[Electrafixion]]), Daniel Lunt (bass), David 'Swee' Sweeney (drums, [[the Bandits (band)|the Bandits]]), and Mark McInnes (bass, the Levons). Cami & the Reverbs played sporadic shows across Liverpool including a support slot with Liverpool group Rain and a Christmas Show at The Zanzibar.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

In 2018, a BBC TV comedy-drama series entitled ''[[There She Goes (TV series)|There She Goes]]'' features a cover version of the La's song of that name.

==Members==
=== Principal members ===
* [[Lee Mavers]] – guitar, vocals (1984–1992, 1994–1995, 2005, 2011)
* [[John Power (musician)|John Power]] – bass, backing vocals (1986–1991, 2005)
* Peter "Cammy" Cammell – guitar, bass (1988, 1989–1992, 1994–1995)
* Neil Mavers – drums (1989–1992, 1994–1995)

=== Other members ===
* [[Mike Badger]] – guitar, vocals (1983–1986)
* Sean Eddleston – guitar (1984)
* John "Timmo" Timson – drums (1984–1985, 1986–1987)
* Phil Butcher – bass (1984)
* Jim "Jasper" Fearon – bass, drums (1985, 2005)
* Bernie Nolan – bass (1985–1986)
* Tony Clarke – drums (1985–1986)
* Paul Rhodes – drums (1986)
* Barry Walsh – drums (1986)
* [[Paul Hemmings]] – guitar (1987)
* Mark Birchall – drums (1987)
* Iain Templeton – drums (1988; died 2022)
* John "Boo" Byrne – guitar (1988, 1995)
* [[Chris Sharrock]] – drums (1988–1989)
* Barry Sutton – guitar (1988–1989, 1991)
* James Joyce – bass (1991–1992, 1994)
* Lee Garnett – guitar (1994–1995)
* [[Jay Lewis (musician)|Jay Lewis]] – guitar (2005)
* Nick Miniski – drums (2005)
* Gary Murphy – bass (2011)

===Timeline===
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:90 bottom:60 top:0 right:0
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1983 till:31/07/1992
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
  id:vocals  value:red        legend:Vocals
  id:bvocals value:pink       legend:Backing_vocals
  id:guitar  value:green      legend:Guitar
  id:bass    value:blue       legend:Bass
  id:drums   value:orange     legend:Drums
  id:studio  value:black      legend:Studio_album
  id:single  value:gray(0.85) legend:Single
 
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:1983

BarData =
  bar:Badger    text:"Mike Badger"
  bar:L-Mavers  text:"Lee Mavers"
  bar:Eddleston text:"Sean Eddleston"
  bar:Hemmings  text:"Paul Hemmings"
  bar:Cammell    text:"Peter Cammell"
  bar:Byrne     text:"John Byrne"
  bar:Sutton    text:"Barry Sutton"
  bar:Butcher   text:"Phil Butcher"
  bar:Fearon    text:"Jim Fearon"
  bar:Nolan     text:"Bernie Nolan"
  bar:Power     text:"John Power"
  bar:Joyce     text:"James Joyce"
  bar:Timson    text:"John Timson"
  bar:Clarke    text:"Tony Clarke"
  bar:Rhodes    text:"Paul Rhodes"
  bar:Walsh     text:"Barry Walsh"
  bar:Birchall  text:"Mark Birchall"
  bar:Templeton text:"Iain Templeton"
  bar:Sharrock  text:"Chris Sharrock"
  bar:N-Mavers  text:"Neil Mavers"

PlotData=
  width:11
 bar:Badger    from:01/01/1983 till:31/12/1986 color:guitar
 bar:L-Mavers  from:01/01/1984 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Eddleston from:01/01/1984 till:31/12/1984 color:guitar
 bar:Hemmings  from:01/01/1987 till:31/12/1987 color:guitar
 bar:Cammell   from:01/01/1988 till:30/04/1988 color:guitar
 bar:Cammell   from:01/08/1989 till:end        color:guitar
 bar:Byrne     from:01/05/1988 till:31/08/1988 color:guitar
 bar:Sutton    from:01/09/1988 till:31/07/1989 color:guitar
 bar:Butcher   from:01/11/1984 till:30/11/1984 color:bass
 bar:Fearon    from:01/02/1985 till:28/02/1985 color:bass
 bar:Nolan     from:01/11/1985 till:30/04/1986 color:bass
 bar:Power     from:01/06/1986 till:30/11/1991 color:bass
 bar:Joyce     from:01/12/1991 till:end        color:bass
 bar:Timson    from:01/11/1984 till:28/02/1985 color:drums
 bar:Timson    from:01/10/1986 till:31/10/1987 color:drums
 bar:Clarke    from:01/11/1985 till:30/04/1986 color:drums
 bar:Rhodes    from:01/05/1986 till:30/06/1986 color:drums
 bar:Walsh     from:01/09/1986 till:30/09/1986 color:drums
 bar:Birchall  from:01/11/1987 till:31/12/1987 color:drums
 bar:Templeton from:01/01/1988 till:30/04/1988 color:drums
 bar:Sharrock  from:01/05/1988 till:31/07/1989 color:drums
 bar:N-Mavers  from:01/08/1989 till:end        color:drums

 width:3
 bar:Badger    from:start      till:31/12/1986 color:vocals
 bar:L-Mavers  from:01/01/1984 till:end        color:vocals
 bar:Power     from:01/06/1986 till:30/11/1991 color:bvocals

LineData =
 layer:back
 at:01/10/1990 color:studio
 at:02/11/1987 color:single
 at:31/10/1988 color:single
 at:03/09/1990 color:single
 at:04/02/1991 color:single

</timeline>

==Discography==

===Studio album===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Title
! rowspan="2" |Album details
! colspan="2" |Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br/><ref>{{Cite web |title=LA'S {{!}} full Official Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24568/las/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Official Charts Company}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard 200|US]]<br/><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The La's Chart History: Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-la's/chart-history/billboard-200 |access-date=May 21, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The La's (album)|The La's]]''
|
* Released: 1 October 1990
* Label: [[Polydor Records|Polydor]], [[Go! Discs|Go!]], [[London Recordings|London]]
* Format: LP, CD
|30
|196
|}

===Compilation albums===
* ''Lost La's 1984–1986: Breakloose'' (1999)
* ''Singles Collection'' (2001)
* ''Lost La's 1986–1987: Callin' All'' (2001)
* ''[[BBC in Session]]'' (2006)
* ''Lost Tunes'' (2008)
* ''De Freitas Sessions '87'' (2010)
* ''Callin' All'' (2010)
* ''There she goes: the collection'' (2015)<ref name="auto">Apple Music</ref>
* ''The La's 1986-1987'' (2017)<ref name="auto"/>
* ''The La's Live (1986–1987)'' (2021)<ref name="auto"/>

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Title
! rowspan="2" | Year
! colspan="4"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2" |[[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! rowspan="2" |Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br/><ref name="ChartStats">{{cite web| url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/| title=The La's| publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]| access-date=19 March 2010| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Dutch Singles Chart|NLD]]<br/><ref name="Ultratop">{{cite web| url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+La%27s| title=Discography The La's| publisher=Ultratop| access-date=19 March 2010}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br/><ref name="Billboard">{{cite web| url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the la's|chart=all}}| title=The La's Album & Song Chart History| publisher=Billboard| access-date=19 March 2010}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Alternative Airplay|US<br />Alt.]]<br/><ref name="Billboard"/>
|-
| "[[Way Out (The La's song)|Way Out]]"
| style="text-align:center;" | 1987
| style="text-align:center;"| 86
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
| rowspan="5" |''The La's''
|-
| "[[There She Goes (The La's song)|There She Goes]]"
| align="center" | 1988
| style="text-align:center;"| 59
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
* [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]: 2× Platinum<ref>{{Cite web |title=British single certifications – La's – There She Goes |url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/13590-597-1 |access-date=January 16, 2024|publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]]}}</ref>
|-
| "[[Timeless Melody]]"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 1990
| style="text-align:center;"| 57
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 12
|
|-
| "There She Goes" <small>(re-release)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| 57
| style="text-align:center;"| 49
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
|
|-
| "[[Feelin'|Feelin{{'-}}]]"
| align="center" | 1991
| style="text-align:center;"| 43
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|}

===Other appearances===
* ''A Secret Liverpool'' (1984) "I Don't Like Hanging Around"
* ''Elegance, Charm and Deadly Danger'' (1985) "My Girl (Sits Like a Reindeer)" and "Sweet 35"
* ''Unearthed: Liverpool Cult Classics, Vol. 1'' (2001) "Don't Lock Me Out"
* ''Lo-Fi Acoustic Excursions'' (2004) "Cool Water"
* ''Lo-Fi Electric Excursions'' (2006) "Midnight Shift", "Painting Dub", "Space Rocketry"

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=[[In Search of The La's: A Secret Liverpool]] |author=MW Macefield |year=2003 |publisher=Helter Skelter Publishing |location=London |isbn=1-900924-63-3}}

==External links==
* [http://www.the-las.com/ the-las.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510193431/https://www.the-las.com/ |date=10 May 2021 }} (forum)
* {{AllMusic|id=p4717|label=The La's}}
* {{Discogs artist|id=La's, The|label=The La's}}
* {{IMDb name|2168892}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWn3Vn3W0TD37d5x6tVrGGA/ The La's VEVO]

{{The La's}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Las, The}}
[[Category:1983 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1992 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:English indie pop groups]]
[[Category:English indie rock groups]]
[[Category:English musical quartets]]
[[Category:Britpop groups]]
[[Category:English alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:English jangle pop groups]]
[[Category:Go! Discs Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1983]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Polydor Records artists]]
[[Category:The Viper Label artists]]