 At the age of 14 , singer and guitarist Grant Nicholas joined a band called ' Sweet Leaf ' , named after a song by Black Sabbath , who were the first band he had seen play live . At this time Japanese bassist Taka Hirose and drummer Jon Lee were playing in different covers bands , but did not know each other . While playing in different bands on the Newport gig circuit , Grant and Jon became friends . They formed an electronic duo called ' Temper Temper ' after Jon left Newport band The Darling Buds . Shortly thereafter , they formed a band called Raindancer . Both of these bands failed to win a recording contract , with the sound of the latter once being compared by Grant with that of The Waterboys . On 20 June 1991 , Raindancer were invited to appear on Stage One , a late night television show on ITV Central , showcasing up and coming bands . The gig was filmed at The Town and Country Club , London without an audience present . 
