The Honey Smugglers (credited as Honey Smugglers on later releases) emerged on the London indie scene in late 1988, guided by front man Spence's enigmatic take on life and powered by a neo-psychedelic backbeat of drums, bass and Vox Continental organ. Their pop sensibilities won them many admirers on the London gig scene, and they were courted by most of the major record labels. In reality however, they were perhaps too eccentric for mainstream consumption.