After The Fire were formed in the UK in 1972 by keyboard player Peter Banks, Andy Piercy (guitar, bass), Ivor Twidell (drums) and John Russell (guitar). The market was responsive to UK adult-orientated rock during the early 70s but the band's mixture of "pomp Christian pop" was slow to break through. They eventually secured a contract following the release of their debut album on their own label. CBS Records invested in them and they were rewarded with a UK Top 40 hit, "One Rule For You", in 1979. The accompanying album, although polished, sold only to the converted. The band's subsequent recordings were minor hits until the unexpected major success of "Der Kommissar". Originally recorded by Falco in his native Germany, After The Fire's version went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, and made the US Top 5. However, by the time it charted, the group had already broken up, frustrated by record company indecision and the Christian ethos that "made things worse, as we couldn't have a good old swearing and slanging match." Banks built his own studio before becoming managing director of Maldon Computer Company, a software and networking enterprise. Twidell released three Christian rock solo albums, Waiting For The Sun (1981), Secret Service (1981) and Duel (1983), after leaving the group following the debut album. He then became a member of the Bedfordshire police force. Russell was last sighted working in a hi-fi shop. Piercy retained the rights to the name, although it was now abbreviated to ATF. Still a practising Christian, after submitting an unreleased solo album for CBS he went on to do production work for the Truth, T'Pau (when they were known as Talking America) and Gary Numan. (Source : VH1)

Short Change

I think it’s time we talked a while together
And I mean face to face
This time we don’t just talk about the weather
I'll pick the time and the place
I think its time they told us what they’re doing
It’s turning to a disgrace
They promise us the world
But all we ever get from them is —

Shortchange - they got us standing in line
Shortchange - I think they’re wasting our time
Shortchange - I’m looking round for a sign
Shortchange - life is a serious crime I think

It’s time they came out of the darkness
I want to look in their eyes
They think that truth is something they can harness
I’m tired of hearing their lies
This time there’s going to be a confrontation
And they will get the surprise
‘cause they promise us the world
But all we ever get from them is-

Shortchange - they got us standing in line
Shortchange - I think they’re wasting our time
Shortchange - I’m looking round for a sign
Shortchange - life is a serious crime I think

It’s time we talked a while together - Talk a while Talk awhile,
I think it’s time we talked awhile
I think it’s time we talked together, face to face,
Face to face, face to face, let’s talk together face to face
This time we don’t just talk about the weather,talk about talk about,
the weather, we can talk about
‘cause they promise us the world
But all we ever get from them is-

Shortchange - they got us standing in line
Shortchange - I think they’re wasting our time
Shortchange - I’m looking round for a sign
Shortchange - life is a serious crime
Life is a serious crime
Life is a serious crime

Music Lyrics