Intense evenings burning the candle at both ends prevailed and duly paid off with a debut appearance at Liverpool's Planet X club in June 1988. The shape behind the smoke was now beginning to materialise. The introduction of three self financed cassettes (And How They Rejoice, Chapter & Verse and Retribution) heightened speculation in the band. Selling by mail order alone, they have since become highly collectable, the latter two selling in excess of 4,000 copies.

1989 saw many live engagements, firstly in the dank surroundings of Liverpool's live circuit and later further afield to Yorkshire (Shrine country!) and the South of England. One notable support act came in the shape of up 'n' coming pop duo Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine. Who may find true recognition one day!?

September 1989, Wayne Hussey (The Mission) personally invites the band to open proceedings at the now legendary fan club Shindig in Sheffield. A genuine and much celebrated move by Hussey who immediately offer the band his producing experience. Diaries were produced and dates circled. The apparent re-birth of The Mission held up the recording in December at Driffield's Slaughterhouse Studios, birth place of many of the Sisters and The Missions finest vinyl offerings. Eleventh hour madness! Producer Colin Richardson stepped in (the man responsible for The Mission's unique cacophony). The "Darkness & Light" single emerged from the frantic session -- a now classic and valuable recording. Slaughterhouse tragically burnt down to the ground shortly after this. Touring resumed during the winter of 1989 and the band's first real London appearance at the Borderline resulted in offers from interested parties. A session was undertaken at the Marquee's studios, London. The final one there before it closed down.

Released on their own Futurity label, "Darkness & Light" went to two pressings within a fortnight. The band by now attracting nationwide popularity. A sixteen date tour accompanied the release of the 12". This ingenious venture along with the band's already prolific live work and the sale of over 3,000 releases was met by a deafening silence from the British music press.

The nineties arrived and ambitious intentions still ran high in the Rosetta fold. They held out for the inevitable "break". During early 1990 further interest developed whilst the tour itinerary took in many uncharted venues. Perpetual Darkness filled the hours during October and November. Rox Music's Phil Manzanera saw that a "buzz" was going around and signed the band to his Expression label two months later. The die had now been cast and the inevitable was soon to be a reality. Further compliments flew Rosetta Stone's way when Wayne Hussey commented about the Sisters of Mercy's Wembley show that "They are better then the Nephilim but not as good as Rosetta!"

December 1990, British weekly music paper Sounds place Rosetta Stone #16 in Best new Band, and #19 Brightest hope for '91 in it's readers polls.

1991 drew in it's first fruits of labour at Gallery Studios. Surrey -- home to Roxy Music and Cliff Richard. The album was completed with the aid of adrenaline and late nights in London's West End. Rosetta Stone had an eye for the main chance and they were about to take it! Co-produced by Ash Howes and Porl Young a subsequent single was issued. "Leave me for Dead" was released in June and crashed straight into the Indie charts at #22. The first time most music journalists had seen the band's name in print. To re-create the immense sound created on the recordings, Porl Young was invited to stand in on forthcoming dates.

August. The title track of the album, "An Eye For The Main Chance", further entices the public for what is to come. Despite it's high chart position, it was met by a wall of stunned silence from the music press (now there's a novelty). Siren Magazine broke the mold and described the single as "An emotional and emotive song, textured to the point of addictive indulgence." A fitting tribute to the band who have since been celebrated in Mick Mercer's Gothic Rock book as "The next Big Thing in Goth." The word processor is truly mightier than...

"An Eye For The Main Chance," released in October 1991 is still standing the test of time. Capturing the band's most emotional musical characteristics on vinyl. Subsequently it remained in NME's Indie top ten for over a month. it was time to tour the album with Rosetta Stone now a four piece following the addition of Porl Young on second guitar. With the band high in the Indie charts now being credited as "The most tuneful aficionados to arrive in a long time" by some quarters. Yet the weekly music press still remained stubbornly tight-lipped over the whole situation.

Flying in the face of the press's ignorance. In January 1992, Rosetta Stone are cordially invited to appear at the prestigious Midem Music Festival in Cannes, France. Sharing a stage with top Swedish acts Roxette and the band's new heroes - Army of Lovers! An eye-opening experience for all concerned!

Adrenaline flowed through the veins in April inspiring the title for the fourth single and tour -- their most controversial and successful single to date. Released on two separate 12" formats. Crossing the boundaries between The Sisters of Mercy, Blue Pearl and Army of Lovers! An inspiring and interesting collaboration. Adrenaline immediately broke into the Indie top ten after a week of sales. A 15 date Polytechnic and club tour concluded with their fourth headline appearance in front of 700 anxious goths at London's Marquee Club on April 17th. A phenomenal achievement judging by the lack of exposure experienced to date. The single remained in the Indie charts for over a month taking overall unit sales to over 15,000 (in Britain alone!).