| The Caretaker Race | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | London |
| Genre: | Indie pop |
| Years Active: | 1986–1991 |
| Label: | Roustabout, Foundation |
| Past Members: | Andy Strickland Dave Mew Henry Hersom Sally Ward Jackie Carrera Andrew Deevey |
The Caretaker Race were an English indie pop band formed in East London in 1986 when singer/guitarist Andy Strickland (also a part-time music journalist) left The Loft. Strickland recruited Dave Mew (drums), Henry Hersom (bass guitar), and Sally Ward (keyboards). The band's name came from a Star Trek paperback adventure.[1] Gaining comparisons with The Go-Betweens,[2] they initially released a brace of singles on their own Roustabout Records label before signing to the Foundation label in 1989. Hersom left to join Bob, his replacement being ex-Flatmates bassist Jackie Carrera, After two more singles on Foundation, the Stephen Street-produced album Hangover Square was released in 1990. Sally Ward left to take up teaching, to be replaced by Andrew Deevey.[3] The band split up in 1991.
Strickland also filled in on guitar for The Chesterfields in 1987.