Formed in 1996 in London by Malcolm Cross. Mal had always written songs and played in bands (right back to his junior school gang 'The Bumbos') but Morello was his first attempt to lead and front one. Despite the cherry logo, Morello is actually a reference to his childhood hero, drummer Joe Morello (immortalised in the 1960 hit 'Take Five' with the Dave Brubeck Quartet.) First incarnation of the band included Chris Johnson (keys), Mike Gibbons (guitar)