After the Fire

After the Fire (or ATF) were a British rock band that evolved from playing progressive rock to new wave over ten years, while having one hit in the United States ("Der Kommissar") and another hit in the United Kingdom ("One Rule for You"). History Keyboard player Peter Banks originally formed the band in 1972 in London, England. After the Fire then went through several personnel changes before settling on Banks, guitarist and vocalist Andy Piercy, bassist Nick Battle, and drummer Ivor Twydell. This line-up enjoyed local success in London, and released an album, Signs of Change, in 1978, on their own label. Having become a highly priced collectors' item, it was reissued on CD in 2004 with several bonus tracks. At this time, the band's sound was similar to that of bands like Genesis and Yes. The band were explicit about their Christian faith - 'Signs of Change' is based on 'Pilgrim's Progress'. They started the new wave synth pop movement at the time most bands in their caliber were mostly punk and pub rock. When they became more successful their sound was more AOR radio friendly.