The CROOKS were formed in North London in late 1977 by guitarist/vocalist Tim Parry(aka Jim Fingers), vocalsi/guitarist Chris Dean, bassist Chris Broderick and drummer Micky Sparrow. They soon became part of the burgeoning mod revival secene. The sharp dressers, in their sharply pressed high collar button downs and toniks, secured a residency at The Pegasus, Stoke Newington, and were touted as the next JAM for a while.

They played with top mod bands like Back To Zero, The Chords, Secret Affair and Small Hour, as well supporting The Police at The Nashville on one occasion. They signed to Blueprint and theur debut single "Modern Boys" came out in October 1979. This sucessfully recaptured the spirit off 1966. They followed it up with "All The Time In The World" in January 1980, wich also featured on their album "Just Released" in April 1980. The album confirmed that their roots were very much in the mid-sixties sounds of bands of The Who, Kinks and Small Faces era, particularly on cuts like "Thousand Faces" and a superb version of the Small Faces' "Understanding". The Crooks embarked on a U.K. tour with The Merton Parkas to help promote this album.

By mid-1980 The Crooks ran out of steam. Broderick and Dean quit the music scene, whilst Parry and Sparrow formed Modern Jazz. They later became Blue Zoo,, enjoying UK hits with "I"m your man" and "Cry Boy Cry" in 1982. Parry went to co-write Yazz's 1988 N°2 hit "Stand Up For your Love Rights" and now works as an A&R man, whilst Sparrow bngs the skins for Nenah Cherry.