The Golden Dawn were formed by Robert Smith (guitar), Kenny Forte (guitar) and Eugene Dawydiak (keyboard) in 1986. They were joined by Ulric Kennedy (bass) and began recording demos with their first "drummer" Pers on production duties.
While Eugene took a sabbatical to complete his university studies, the band changed direction radically, incorporating musical influences from the noise-core bands who formed their staple listening, new songs written collaboratively during extended improvisation sessions and a new drummer in Sharon Scott.
On Eugene's return, they played their first gig at a Transmission Gallery event after which Sharon left to be replaced by Peter Claughan on the drums.
This definitive line-up recorded a 9-track demo and within weeks were signed to Sarah Records for whom they recorded two EPs - led off by My Secret World and George Hamilton's Dead respectively - before being dropped after turning in a third single whose long, self-indulgent B-side was a feedback squall too far for Clare and Matt's delicate sensibilities.