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Several singles preceded their debut LP, Pop Said in 1989 and as their public profile increased, they became cover stars of Melody Maker. The album reached the top 30 in the UK album charts and it seemed as if they were well placed to make a step up, both domestically and internationally.

But things weren't going as well as the band and their label needed: original drummer Bloss was replaced by Jimmy Hughes, from Black. Their second album, Crawdaddy, was more sophisticated than its predecessor, but was critically adjudged to lack some of the rawness of Pop Said.

The Darling Buds stuck to their guns for their third album, Erotica, in 1992. They toured in support of the set, but they weren't able to make a dent in the world's pop consciousness and split soon after.

The band remain a fondly-remembered example of British indie's female-fronted movement of the time, but always suffered against the male-dominated Madchester and grunge juggernauts.