The CHEFS, from Brighton, East Sussex, England, only survived three singles before splitting, and one of those was a reissue. Along with other aspiring local talent in the late 70s, the CHEFS - Helen McCookerybook (bass-vocals), James McCallum (guitar), Russell Greenwood (drums), and Carl Evans (guitar) - were signed to the town's resident label, ATTRIX Records. The EP "Sweetie", issued in September 1980, was far from being sweet, dealing frankly with sex, personal hygiene and other matters. But "24 Hours"(1981) was nothing short of a great pop song and was strong enough to warrant a reissue on the Midlands label Graduate Records.

 

The band changed their name to SKAT for a guitar-based cover version of the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale". Helen McCallum then left to form Helen And The Horns, a bold brass-dominated group with influences taken from the American west. 'Pioneer Town' and a remake pf Doris Day's "Secret Love" were both interesting excursions, although the band eventually floundered due to Helen's increasing stage fright.

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