Hit, "Since Yesterday") and Brilliant (the post-Killing Joke band of subsequently famous producer Youth), he then founded the Food record label in 1984. Food records Food, initially funded by Balfe alone, signed Voice of the Beehive, Zodiac Mindwarp (both of whom moved on to major labels, while Balfe continued to manage them for many years), Crazyhead, and Diesel Park West, before signing a deal with EMI to fund and distribute the label worldwide while retaining creative independence. They then signed Jesus Jones who went on to have a number one album in the UK and multi-million sales internationally with their second album, Doubt, and a number one single in the U.S. with "Right Here Right Now". A year after signing Jesus Jones they signed Blur. Balfe, along with his later label partner Andy Ross, convinced the band to change their name from 'Seymour' to Blur on signing in 1989. Balfe also directed Blur's first two music videos, "She's So High" and "There's No Other Way". Disenchanted with the alternative scene in the years of grunge, Balfe decided to sell the Food label to EMI in 1994, and semi-retire with his young family to the country – inspiring Damon Albarn to pen Blur's first No. 1 hit, "Country House". Later work Balfe returned to the music business to take up a position at Sony Music from 1996 to 1999 as General Manager and Head of A&R of the Columbia label. His most notable success of that period was the million-selling Kula Shaker. Since then Balfe has received a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Bedfordshire in 2003 and, in 2006, an MA in screenwriting from the University of Westminster. In June 2010, Balfe received the Mojo Magazine 'Inspiration Award' on behalf of the Teardrop Explodes. It was presented by Alex James from Blur. In May 2018, Balfe was elected as a Labour councillor for Eastbrook Ward in Adur. But did not stand for re-election in 2022. References External links Interview English music managers English bass guitarists English male guitarists Male bass guitarists English new wave musicians Living people 1958 births The Teardrop Explodes members Scouse culture of the early 1980s Alumni of the University of Bedfordshire People from Carlisle, Cumbria People from Thingwall Big in Japan (band) members Musicians from Merseyside Musicians from Liverpool