Originally known as Bauhaus 1919, this Northamptonshire, England-based quartet was formed by Peter Murphy (b. 11 July 1957, Northamptonshire, England; vocals), Daniel Ash (b. 31 July 1957, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England; vocals/guitar), David Jay aka David J. (b. David Jay Haskins, 24 April 1957, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England; vocals/bass) and Kevin Haskins (b. 19 July 1960, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England; drums). Within months of their formation they made their recording debut in 1979 with the classic, brooding, nine-minute gothic anthem, "Bela Lugosi's Dead". Their career saw them move to various independent labels (Small Wonder, Axix, 4AD Records and Beggars Banquet Records) and along the way they recorded some interesting singles, including "Dark Entries", "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" and a reworking of T. Rex's "Telegram Sam'. Often insistent on spontaneity in the studio, they recorded four albums in as many years, of which 1981"s Mask proved the most accessible. A cameo appearance in the movie The Hunger, starring David Bowie, showed them playing their memorable Bela Lugosi tribute. They later took advantage of the Bowie connection to record a carbon copy of "Ziggy Stardust", which gave them their only UK Top 20 hit. Although there was further belated success with "Lagartija Nick" and "She's In Parties", the group disbanded in 1983.
Vocalist Peter Murphy briefly joined Japan's Mick Karn in Dali's Car and the remaining three members soldiered on under the name Love And Rockets. The original members reunited in the mid-90s for several live dates in Los Angeles, which led to a fully-fledged reunion tour in 1998. Gotham Live 1998 captured the band's performance at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. They reunited for a second time in 2005, and continued touring into the following year while working on a new studio album. A series of download only live albums were released during this period, before Go Away White was issued at the start of 2008. True to form, by the time the album was released the quartet had already disbanded.
