On 9th October 2026 The Pleasureheads back catalogue will be rereleased.

FM Revolver will distribute the recordings via Apple Music, Spotify etc.

The Pleasureheads
A Peterborough indie rock band, active 1986–1990 (also styled “The Pleasure Heads” on some releases). Compiled from Last.fm, the John Peel Wiki, the Cloudberry Records blog, Discogs and the “They Played Peterborough” archive curated by Paul Young.

Band Members
Core line-up

•     Dean Nicholls — vocals / drums (alternated)

•     Andy Donovan —- guitars

•     Pete Elderkin  — vocals /drums (alternated)

•     Kev Murphy — guitars - joined after the debut single, replacing Mark Randall

Line-up changes

•     Mark Randall — on the debut single only (“Falling Man” / “Don’t Fake It”), then replaced by Kev Murphy

•     Pete Herron — bass guitar - replaced for the Barfly EP (1990)

•     Dave Colton — bass guitar, joined for the Barfly EP (1990)

•     Joe MacColl — drums, joined for the Barfly EP (1990)

Note on sleeve credits: On their 1986 debut, the band used playful “-head” versions of their names — Peter Elderhead, Pete Herrahead, Andy Donnyhead, Mark Randyhead and Dean Nicholhead.

Discography (in order of release)
1. “Falling Man” / “Don’t Fake It” — 7″ single
Label: Molesworth Records (HUNTS 2)

Released: 1986

Recorded: 12–13 April 1986, University of Surrey

Producer/Engineer: Jim Abbiss (producer on this single only; never a band member)

Accolade: NME joint Single of the Week (exact issue date unknown)

2. “Holding On” — 12″ single
Label: Ediesta Records

Released: 1986

Recorded: 4–5 October 1986, The Music Room, Peterborough

Tracks: Holding On / Beside My Head / Hit the Ground

3. “Treasure” — 12″ single (+ white-label 7″ promo)
Label: Ediesta Records

Released: 1987

Recorded: April/May 1987, The Music Room, Peterborough

Engineer: David Colton

Tracks: Treasure / Madonna Eyes / Something You’re Above (12″ only)

Catalogue no.: Not documented online; likely in the Ediesta CALC 4x sequence (LP was CALC LP 43)

Airplay: John Peel played it repeatedly, August–October 1987

4. “Hard to Swallow” — LP
Label: Ediesta Records (CALC LP 43)

Released: 29 February 1988

Recorded: Winter 1987/88, The Music Room, Peterborough

Engineers: Baz Voce & David Colton

Airplay: Peel played tracks April–June 1988

5. “Within Reach” EP (Barfly EP) — 12″ single
Label: Black Records (12 REV 60)

Released: 12/8/1990

Recorded: Elephant Studios, London 

Tracks: Within Reach / There’s No Change / She Said

Line-up change: Dave Colton (bass) and Joe MacColl (drums) came in, replacing Pete Herron

Compilation appearance: “Something You’re Above” on Let’s Try Another Ideal Guest House (Shelter/Rough Trade), date uncertain.

6. “Black Out” — various artists compilation LP
Label: Black Records (a division of FM-Revolver Records Ltd.), catalogue REV LP 166

Released: 1991 (exact day/month not stated on sleeve; © 1991 FM-Revolver Records Ltd.)

Featured artists: Crazyhead, The Dream, The Pleasureheads, The Stone Roses

The Pleasureheads tracks: “Within Reach” (Side One) and “There’s No Change” (Side Two), both taken from the Barfly EP

Notes: Billed as “The best of Black Records.” Full tracklist — Side one: Here Is the Love (The Dream), Some Kinda Fever (Crazyhead), Within Reach (The Pleasureheads), Here It Comes (The Stone Roses), Suzanne (The Dream). Side two: Train (Crazyhead), Sally Cinnamon [remix] (The Stone Roses), Last Monday (The Dream), There’s No Change (The Pleasureheads), Magic Eye (Crazyhead). Manufactured in West Germany; distributed via BMG Ariola/Aris-Ariola München.

BBC John Peel Session
Recorded: 30 April 1989, Maida Vale Studios

First broadcast: 25 May 1989

Producer: Dale Griffin (ex-Mott the Hoople)

Tracks (in broadcast order): She Said / There’s No Change / Frankly / Twirling Tranquiliser Chair

Further Reading
Sugar, Gravy, Pleasure: An Indie Odyssey in Peterborough — Pete Elderkin (Troubador Publishing, 2024). Paperback ISBN 978-1-80514-428-1; also issued as an ebook and audiobook (audiobook ISBN 978-1-80514-965-1). Launched at the Met Lounge, Bridge Street, Peterborough, on 1 August 2024.

Elderkin’s memoir of the Peterborough alternative music scene includes a chapter on The Pleasureheads, written by a founding member of the band. It covers the band’s formation and early gigs, the records, and the pursuit of a BBC Radio 1 John Peel session, before moving on to the Sugar Club, the alternative club night he co-founded and which ran from 1991 to 2002. It is the fullest first-hand account of the band in print.

Known Live Appearances
The band played widely across the East Midlands, East Anglia and beyond, as well as their Peterborough home base. Peterborough Glasshouse and Miss Pears dates are drawn from the “They Played Peterborough” website archive; other dates are from the band’s own records.

Compiled June 2026. Sources: Last.fm, John Peel Wiki, Cloudberry Records blog, Discogs, 'They Played Peterborough' website (Paul Young).

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1/ New film screening at Mesa international film festival in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Screening on Sat 15 August 2026, 11am-1pm, Brittlebush block. (Mesa Convention center, Mesa, Arizona).

2/British Independent Film and Television Awards, Stroud, South West England.

Headline feature, Saturday 5th September, Standish Village Hall in Gloucestershire, England at 8pm-10pm (with short films prior).

Awards:-

'Best Director Documentary Feature', Martin Rowe, Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela). Feb 26.

'Semi-finalist' - Stockholm City Film Festival (Sweden). Apr 26.

'Best Documentary Feature' - Global Film & Music Festival (USA). May 26.         

'Honourable mention' - Athens International Art Film Festival (Greece). May 26.

Film festival selections:-

Mesa International Film Festival (Arizona, USA) - 12/8/26

South West Film Festival (UK) - 3/9/26

Global INDIE filmaker awards(UK) - 1/9/26

Global Film and Music Festival (USA) - 26/4/26

Stockholm City Film Festival (Sweden) - 25/4/26

Athens International Art Film Festival (Greece) - 6/5/26

Pictured together at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, where the 'Sugarclubbing' exhibition will take place from 12 February 2026 to 4 April 2026.

Shopify is also available to order. https://pete-elderkin-books.myshopify.com

https://troubador.co.uk/success-stories/sugar-gravy-pleasure

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/people/documentary-and-exhibition-tells-the-story-of-peterboroughs-sugar-club-5485517

https://peterboroughmuseum.org.uk/events/sugar-clubbing

***** Dean

Growing up in Peterborough—dubbed the worst place to live in the UK on more than one occasion—the Sugar Club offered us working-class teenagers a rare gem: a welcoming space pulsing with great music and even better company. Unlike the pretentious clubs that demanded smart dress and churned out dreary chart hits, the Sugar Club was a breath of fresh air. It became our weekend haven, a spot where friendships were strengthened and unforgettable nights unfolded.

This book captures that essence perfectly—the highs and lows, and the enduring spirit of the Scene that still thrives at the Met Lounge. It's a far cry from the commercial clutter served up by the countless "Townie" clubs that have come and gone. Whether you were a regular at the Sugar Club or simply lived through that golden era of nightlife, this book is a joyful ride down memory lane. Light-hearted, nostalgic, and full of charm, it’s sure to bring a smile and stir memories of the best nights of your youth.

***** Petra

My personal reminiscences stop here as I moved to London in 1991, just as the book starts to get going.
But that doesn’t mean that I was any the less interested. I don’t think that you have to had known the Peterborough scene to enjoy this book. Anyone who remembers their first forays out into local nightlife, or anyone who grew up loving ‘alternative’ music will enjoy this book. Musical genres aside - going out, underage drinking, dancing, listening to live music and just kicking it with your friends is a timeless rite of passage. No matter the era or the geographical location.
‘Sugar, Music, Pleasure’ encapsulates all that matters about being a teenager in your own locality and the pure joy of all those ‘first’ experiences before life starts getting a bit more grown up. So even though Peterborough has been voted ‘The worst place to live in England’ several times, there was a shine to that shit and this book brings out the shine of the city.

Great stuff!

***** Richard 

For any indie kid in their mid-50s, this is a nostalgic walk down memory lane. It brought back many happy memories for this Pleasureheads fanboy. Even if you’re not from Peterborough; not in your mid 50s; not obsessed with music there is still a lot to love and enjoy about this tale of growing up in a small town. I devoured it in one sitting.

Highly recommended.

"I loved it. A beautiful, big-hearted book about being a young, working class kid finding life, joy and the best music you ever heard in the most unlikeliest of places. 'Sugar, Gravy, Pleasure' is a love letter to a lost time when music was at the centre of the universe."

https://fb.watch/vzPJl3DzD7/

https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/biography/sugar-gravy-pleasure

https://www.bestofbritishmag.co.uk/september-2024/

For all personal or trade NZ Book orders or distribution enquiries, please contact [email protected]
RRP - Paperback's in store $23 NZD.

Pete's local bookstore stocks & supports the book:-
Dear Reader, 436 Richmond road, Auckland, NZ.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2409/S00198/new-memoir-remembers-running-grunge-club-nights-in-the-worst-place-in-the-uk.htm

https://www.themomentmagazine.com/virtual-magazine/september-2024-issue-79/

https://bookdna.com/best-books/british-rock-music-icons

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/new-book-charts-history-of-peterboroughs-sugar-club-in-the-90s-4698140

Photo of the audience for the book launch on 1 August 2024 at The Met Lounge, Bridge Street, Peterborough, UK.