 While still in his teens, Nick Van Eede (born Nicholas Eede) recorded a few UK solo singles in the late 1970s, and later was in the band The Drivers, which found success in Canada, particularly with their 1982 single "Tears On Your Anorak".While touring Canada, The Drivers had a support band called Fast Forward, whose line up included guitarist Kevin Macmichael.Van Eede was so impressed with Macmichael's guitar playing that he asked him to form a new band with him.