State of Play was a funk-based pop band that included Dean Garcia, Tony Halliday, Olle Romo, and Julie Fletcher (Garcia's wife). Garcia and Halliday had been introduced to each other by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Garcia had played bass in Stewart's group and Halliday had been an acquaintance of Stewart since being spotted by him on television in the early '80s. The group released one ill-fated record for Virgin, 1986's Balancing the Scales, before calling it quits. Halliday either left or was kicked out of the band due to an issue with the band's management before the remaining members decided to stop. After lawsuits and a few years spent away from each other, Halliday and Garcia re-teamed for Curve. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi