An art-rock band that practically started the Liverpool new wave scene single-handed, Deaf School were formed in January 1974 by a large group of students at Liverpool Art College. The original line-up extended to 15 but was reduced to; Bette Bright, Thomas Davis, Steve Allen, guitarists Clive Langer, bass player Mr Average, keyboards player the Rev. Max Ripple, drummer Tim Whittaker and saxophonists Ian Ritchie and Mike Evans. The remaining eight-piece line-up developed an entertaining blend of rock music and almost vaudevillian stage theatrics. This combination helped them win a Melody Maker Rock Contest in which the prize was a recording contract with WEA Records. They signed to Warner Brothers Records after being championed by then head of Warner UK, former Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boys publicist Derek Taylor. The band feel into, appropriately considering the place of their formation, the category of 'Art School Rock' which usually meant an elaborate stage show, fancy costumes etc. while musically carrying on musical traditions of groups like the early Roxy Music or Cockney Rebel. At this time they also made regular headlining appearance at the newly opened Erics Club which was to become the centre of the Liverpool punk scene which was to produce bands such as Echo & The Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Pete Wylies Wah and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Two more albums and three singles emerged before Deaf School finally dissolved after Bette Bright appeared in The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle. Clive Langer formed the Boxes but had more success as a producer; Steve Lindsey replaced Holly Johnson in Big In Japan. The Rev. Max Ripple became the head of the Fine Art department at Goldsmiths College in London."I was so taken by Deaf School that I married the singer. Clive Langer, their guitarist, went on to produce all of Madness's records." Suggs, Madness."Deaf School - the band that brought Liverpool music back from the point of extinction!" Paul Du Noyer"The was nothing happening in Liverpool before Deaf School..." Ian Broudie, Lightning Seeds"I thing we were a really good band who happened at a really bad time..." Bette Bright, Deaf School"