Stump was formed in 1983 by Mick Lynch (vocals), Rob McKahey (drums), Kev Hopper
(bass) and Chris Salmon (guitar) in the United Kingdom, though the group was
often described as Irish‑English. The band first attracted attention with the EP
Mud on a Colon released in 1986 on Ron Johnson, followed by the self‑released
mini‑album Quirk Out produced by Hugh Jones, which included the cult track
"Buffalo" that appeared on the NME C86 compilation and received a Channel 4
video on The Tube. In 1987 the group issued the Peel Sessions EP on Strange
Fruit and secured a deal with Ensign Reco...