The Oxford music scene that Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Loz Colbert and Steve Queralt grew up in was very different to the one that has evolved in the past decade.

In terms of attiude, whereas now there is hope, then there was ridicule and small-mindedness. Most bands could not see beyond the Ring Road, and the national music weeklies thought of Oxford as a place where scholars and farm animals hung out.

The cover for the Nowhere LP.

"There wasn't much of an Oxford scene at all and what there was centered on the Jericho Tavern. If you played the Jericho you were cool and that was it. Not many groups had aspirations," explained Andy Bell.

Bell took his inspiration from the numerous bands that passed through the city on tour. When he saw The Smiths play at the Apollo he knew what he wanted out of life.

"I was 14 and they definitely inspired me to get a band together. I soon realised you could do it and come from Oxford."

Ride formed at North Oxfordshire College & School Of Art in Banbury in 1988. First Bell got together with Queralt, then Gardener came on board with Colbert.

The novelty value of a band at the Art College immediately gave Ride an audience and by the time they played the Jericho there was a buzz about the band.

It took just 12 months for Ride to go from schoolboy dreamers to the top of every decent A&R man's talent list. The band's first EP convinced Creation to sign them up.

Bell said: "It happened quickly but I'd been preparing my whole life to be in a rock and roll band. It felt natural."

Read part two >>