 The British rock band Pulp grew from an underground '80s band to one of the most popular Brit-pop acts of the '90s, evolving constantly through changes in membership, record label, style and sound. From simple acoustic ballads to Bowie-influenced glam dance-rock, Pulp, led by charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker, has been a staple of the U.K. music scene for more than 20 years, one of the most enduring acts in modern English music. Pulp was first formed in Sheffield, England in 1978 by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Cocker -- then only 15 years old -- and three friends as Arabacus Pulp, named for an example commodity in one of Cocker's economics textbooks. After a series of lineup changes which brought in Jamie Pinchbeck on bass and Wayne Furness on drums, Pulp recorded a demo tape in 1981 that won acclaim from famed British DJ John Peel, who invited them to London to record a "Peel Session" with him. The following year a new lineup -- featuring Cocker and Furness, as well as ex-Artery/future Mission UK member Simon Hinkler -- recorded Pulp's 1982 debut album, It, for Red Rhino Records. A largely acoustic album, It received little media attention, but did land Pulp a deal with Fire Records. During the late 1980s Pulp concentrated on developing artistically and solidifying its lineup, remaining sidelined while the group rapidly evolved. Now featuring Cocker, Russell Senior (guitar/violin), Steve Mackey (bass), Candida Doyle (keyboards) and Nick Banks (drums), Pulp resurfaced with Separations, recorded during the height of the rave/acid house/"baggy" movement of '88/'89, but not released until 1992, after the advance single "My Legendary Girlfriend" was selected as NME's "Single of the Week." Now superstars in their homeland (and the object of a devoted U.S. cult following), Pulp, and specifically frontman Jarvis Cocker, began to appear in U.K. tabloids regularly. In January 1996 Cocker stormed the stage when Michael Jackson appeared at the Brit Awards, prompting weeks of media attention. That summer the band embarked on a world tour, but in early 1997 there was a brief setback when Russell Senior, Cocker's bandmate for nearly 13 years, unexpectedly quit the group. The band pressed on, recording This is Hardcore, released in March 1998. Seth Hindin
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