Pulp

Pulp is the vehicle of geeky English auteur Jarvis Cocker, who formed the band with Sheffield schoolmates in 1978 at the age of 15, but didn't achieve success until the 90s. Before then they tried many different styles, and many different band-members, but with frustratingly similar results - widespread apathy. One exception was Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who granted Pulp a number of live radio sessions - again though, very little caught the public imagination.

Eventually signing to Island in the early 90s, it was their major-label debut His 'n' Hers in 1994 that finally saw Pulp breaking into public consciousness. In Cocker they had an enigmatic singer and a sharp, witty lyricist: and new wave pop singles like "Lipgloss" and "Do You Remember The First Time?" were anthemic enough to break the UK charts. At the height of the Britpop craze, Pulp were at the forefront along with Suede, Oasis and Blur. Their follow-up album, 1995's Different Class, was an even bigger success, spawning three Top 10 singles - "Mis-Shapes/Sorted for E's & Whizz", "Disco 2000", and "Common People". The latter is arguably the definitive anthem of the Britpop movement.

Cocker then achieved international notoriety for a protest against Michael Jackson at the 1996 BRIT Awards. Unhappy at Jackson's Christ-like performance, Cocker (and a friend) invaded the stage, ran around a bit and showed his backside to Jackson. He was then arrested on suspicion of assaulting three children, who somehow were injured in the melee. Cocker was never charged. Though some were unhappy at his "immature" antics, many were impressed by his public show of distaste for Jackson's perceived megalomania.

Pulp followed Different Class with This Is Hardcore in 1998, and We Love Life in 2001, and though both were well received, the peak of Britpop fever - and so Pulp fever - had passed. Pulp have been on an indefinite break ever since, while Jarvis Cocker pursues a solo career under his own first name.