The March Violets formed in 1981 by Tom Ashton, guitar, Laurence Elliot, bass, Simon Denbigh, vocals and Rosie Garland, vocals. John Peel booked them for a session, then Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy issued their first two 7″ on his Merciful Release label in 1982.

Their own Rebirth label launched in 1983 and constantly featured high in the UK indie charts; ‘Snake Dance’ was number #2 and ‘Walk into the Sun’ #1. A compilation ‘Natural History’ followed. Cleo Murray joined on vocals from the 1985 ‘Deep’ single, an indie chart #2 hit. In the US a comp ‘Electric Shades’ was issued.

In 1986 they signed to London Records. ‘Turn to the Sky’ got on the John Hughes film ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ along with a live show. However, things didn’t work out and in 1987 they split. In 1993 the CD compilation ‘The Botanic Verses’ covered their 1982-1984 catalogue.

The band reformed in 2010, with tours and recordings, but events intervened and it stalled in 2016. In 2021 an RSD 2LP ‘Big Soul Kiss’, BBC sessions with many unreleased songs. came out on Jungle. In 2022 they issued a 2LP ‘Play Loud Play Purple’ and a 5CD box ‘The Palace of Infinite Darkness’ with many rarities. This was followed by 'Made Glorious', their 2013 album.

The band reunited in 2023 with Tom Ashton, Rosie Garland and William Faith, with gigs, new recordings, a new Facebook and website. They toured the UK in May/June, and Europe and the UK in October. More dates in UK, Europe and the USA are scheduled for 2024