Figures On A Beach

Formed in 1981 in Detroit, Figures on a Beach originally consisted of Anthony Kaczynski (vocals, bass), Christopher Ewen (keyboards), Michael Smith (drums) and Ricci Ara (guitar). Releases from this lineup include the Swimming EP on Metro-America and the Don Was-produced single "Breathless" in 1984. In 1985 the band moved to Boston, where new members John Richard Rolski (guitar) and Perry Tell (guitar, bass) replaced Ara, and Kaczynski, still the vocalist, traded in his guitar for keyboard duties. The quintet eventually signed with Sire Records Company and hooked up with producer Ivan Ivan, who steered them toward an upbeat synth-pop sound that was criticized in the press as sounding dated upon release. Notable releases from this collaboration include the anthemic "No Stars" on the album Standing On Ceremony in 1987, and the soaring, slickly produced single "Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)" from the group's eponymous 1989 album. Figures on a Beach broke up in 1993. Kaczynski and Smith went on to become founding members of Fireking, and Ewen eventually joined Future Bible Heroes.