Despite disbanding twice since its inception in 1979, the new wave band Modern English has reached multiple generations of fans with its jangly hits from the 1980s. Originally known as The Lepers, the group was formed by front man Robbie Grey, guitarist Gary McDowell and bassist Michael Conroy before expanding into a five-piece band and changing its name to Modern English. The band released its debut album Mesh & Lace, in 1981 followed by arguably its most successful record After the Show, in 1982. The sophomore effort featured the band's hit single, "I Melt With You,"a track that is just as widely recognizable thirty years later than it was while it was sitting comfortably on the US Top 100 chart. Modern English broke up for a brief time from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1989 to 1991 while Grey pursued another music project called Engine. In 1995, Engine morphed into the new version of Modern English, and the band recorded its sixth studio album Everything's Mad, released in 1996. With Grey on vocals and Matthew Shipley on keyboards, Modern English continues to tour the US and release new material such as its 2010 album, Soundtrack.
