2nd Layer were an electronic, machine-based outlet for Adrian Borland and Graham Bailey, both being founding members of "The Sound".
2nd Layer were born as Borland's former band "The Outsiders" reached their peak, "The Outsiders" were soon to disband, as drummer Adrian "Jan" Janes and bassist "Bob" Lawrence changed paths. Leaving Adrian and Graham to find a "new way of life" giving birth to "The Sound"
2nd Layer were already recording as "The Sound" emerged.
Adrian supplied guitars, lyrics and vocals whilst Graham provided keyboards, bass, machine manufacture and programming.
2nd Layer were the first to use a "drum machine" on record, this being designed and constructed by Graham, the earliest recordings, with which, were made in 1976.
2nd Layer never performed live, preferring the studio environment.Two singles were released on Tortch-r records:- in 1979 "Flesh as Property" and in 1980 "State of Emergency".
A full length LP, "2nd Layer's World of Rubber" followed, released in 1981, on Cherry Red records
Since the duo were central to the sound of "The Sound", 2nd Layer retained a similar feel, although in a slightly detached way, which is to be expected when machines replace humans.
Borland's song-writing isn't much less personal here than it was for the Sound.
