Stars In Their Eyes: where are the icons of C-Series past now?

11 July, 2024

C-Series

Since its inception, the C-Series has featured cult heroes and music legends at an early stage. Here’s what happened to them following their inclusion…

The Specials

Who: Coventry ska icons that changed the face of British music
When: C81
What Happened Next: The band released two albums – ‘The Specials’ and ‘More Specials’ – prior to their inclusion on C81. Following its release, their single ‘Ghost Town’ would head to No 1 in the UK, though they would split months later. Following various iterations and reunions, they released their final album of original music in 2019; frontman Terry Hall died in 2022, aged 63.

Orange Juice

Who: Scottish new wave pioneers led by Edwyn Collins
When: C81
What Happened Next: A year later in 1982, the group released two soon-to-be classic albums: ‘You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever’ and ‘Rip It Up’. The latter’s title track went to the Top 10 in the UK, fusing post-punk, new wave and disco and capturing their generation’s creative mindset.

The Raincoats

Who: Cult London band who influenced future rock icons
When: C81
What Happened Next: The group released their self-titled debut prior to C81, while their next two records ‘Odyshape’ (1981) and ‘Moving’ (1984) proved equally adept at incorporating experimental structures into their pop sensibilities. When Kurt Cobain first toured the UK with Nirvana in 1992, he ventured around London’s record shops seeking a copy of their debut album on vinyl.

Aztec Camera

Who: Another stalwart of Scotland’s sparkling pop scene
When: C81
What Happened Next: Their appearance on C81 came soon after they released their debut single. Across the ensuing decade they’d release four albums and have a hit single in ‘Oblivious’, which landed in the Top 3 in the UK Singles Charts in 1983.

Primal Scream

Who: Glasgow troupe that released a seminal indie-rave classic
When: C86
What Happened Next: Initially starting with a jangly indie-pop sound (as heard on their C86 entry), the Bobby Gillespie-led band released ‘Screamadelica’ in 1991, working with pioneering DJ Andrew Weatherall to capture the spirit of the UK rave scene. They released their most-recent album in 2016 and have toured the globe consistently.

The Wedding Present

Who: Leeds band who excelled in hooky, heartfelt indie-rock
When: C86
What Happened Next: the band released prolifically following their C86 appearance; in 1992 alone, they charted in the UK Singles Charts with 12 different singles, equalling a record previously held by Elvis Presley.

Mogwai

Who: Expansive, inventive post-rock from Scottish cult heroes
When: C96
What Happened Next: Everything, really. The group have released cult classics (1996’s ’Come On Die Young’), scored various films and television programs and even set up Rock Action, their own record label. In 2021, they finally landed their first No. 1 album in the UK with ‘As The Love Continues’.

Broadcast

Who: Idiosyncratic electro-indie trio from Birmingham
When: C96
What Happened Next: Their appearance on C96 came just as the band were on the up, and they would release three albums, including 2005’s ‘Tender Buttons’; lead vocalist Trish Keenan dies in 2011, aged 42. In 2024, Warp Records announced the release of previously unheard demos as the group’s final release.

Genesis Owusu

Who: Aussie-based star with strikingly original creations
When: C23
What Happened Next: Following C23’s release, Genesis released his second album ‘Struggler’, a journey through funk, rock and rap that, according to NME’s review, saw him “at the top of his game”. In 2023, he performed a spectacular headline show at Sydney Opera House.

Jockstrap

Who: London duo shaping the sound of 21st-century alt-pop
When: C23
What Happened Next: The duo submitted an acoustic edition of ‘Concrete Over Water’ for their C23 entry; months later, the band went one further by releasing ‘I<3UQTINVU’ which remixed their entire debut album, 2022’s ‘I Love You Jennifer B’. They closed out 2023 with a show at London’s Barbican venue.

Flo Milli

Who: Alabama rapper raising the bar for the US hip-hop scene
When: C23
What Happened Next: Milli had a hit on her hands with her first Billboard Hot 100 entry ‘Never Lose Me’ which attracted remixes by Lil Yachty, Bryson Tiller, SZA and Cardi B. The song featured on her second studio album ‘Fine Ho, Stay’, released in March 2024.