Often accused of merely being a lightweight, sugary AOR act, FM nonetheless blossomed into a harder edged, blusier Rock band following disappointments with major labels. The individuals involved in the formation of the band had enjoyed varying success in their former bands. Indeed, drummer Pete Jupp and bassist Merv Goldsworthy had both played together in SAMSON, although the bassist started his career with Burnley's STREETFIGHTER prior to a brief stint with DIAMOND HEAD, whilst the Overland brothers, Steve and Chris, were previously in WILDLIFE with ex-FREE and BAD COMPANY drummer Simon Kirke.

FM was at first managed initially by erstwhile SAMSON manager Dave King and came together after the demise of Jupp and Goldsworthy's first post SAMSON project with guitarist Dave Colwell (who left to join TERRAPLANE briefly), former RAGE vocalist Dave Lloyd and guitarist Andy Marshall. When Marshall joined COREY HART's touring band, Jupp and Goldsworthy teamed up with the Overlands and former THE INVADERS, EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND, GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS and MAX AND THE BROADWAY METAL CHOIR keyboard player, and major Sci-Fi fanatic, Phil Manchester (a.k.a. Didge Digital). FM's line-up was firmed up in November 1984.

Portrait, an American subsidiary of CBS Records, snapped FM up on the strength of a four track demo recorded at Ezee Studios in London. In December 1984 the group debuted live as support to MEAT LOAF's European dates. In early 1985 two tracks, 'That Girl' and 'Frozen Heart' were recorded, ,followed up by a Radio 1 session cut at the BBC Maida Vale studios. In April FM was back in action on the live front, opening for MAMA'S BOYS on an Irish tour prior to a second round of European dates, this time supporting TINA TURNER. A brace of shows was then slotted in guesting for REO SPEEDWAGON at London's Hammersmith Odeon with an opening slot to FOREIGNER's Dublin concert in June.

The band's debut album, 'Indiscreet', was recorded in Ibiza and Comfort Studio in Surrey under Dave King's production guidance. In September 1985 FM guested for GARY MOORE's UK tour. The coinciding first single, 'Frozen Heart', reached number 92 on the UK charts. FM appeared at the Reading Festival then a headline London Marquee concert in November was put in prior to final wrap-up sessions on the album.

1986 was ushered in by the shooting of a promotional video for the song 'That Girl' in Jamaica. In June 1986 FM performed a second Radio 1 session, for Tommy Vance's 'Friday Rock Show', plus gave a performance for the television show 'No Limits'. 'Indiscreet' emerged in America during 1986 before being released at home after another support tour, this time to MAGNUM in September. In the USA the record was issued under the revised band monicker of FM (UK) to avoid confusion with other North American acts with prior claim to the name, specifically the eclectic Canadian outfit fronted by NASH THE SLASH. Yet another British jaunt had FM guesting for BON JOVI in November 1986. Quite novelly for the times, FM's image saw the musicians topped with de rigeur 80s heavily back-combed barnets but clad in expensive suits. Merv Goldsworthy in particular scored notoriety with his infamous pink suit.

'Frozen Heart' was re-issued in early 1987 but only attained a number 64 place on the UK charts. Headline January dates were capitalised on by the band's third European run, this time around backing STATUS QUO. Another single effort, 'Love Be The Leader', hit number 71 preceded German concerts supporting GARY MOORE. A second showing at the Reading Festival was followed up by another round of recordings in preperation for a second album.

The tours and heavily promoted singles would keep the group in the public eye but, despite the fact the band's musical pedigree and songwriting ability was never in question, never quite translated into album sales. Unfortunately for FM, manager Dave King was implicated in a chart rigging scandal. Nevertheless, even IRON MAIDEN thought highly of the band, as evidenced by their cover version of 'That Girl' featured as a B side to their November 1986 single 'Stranger In A Strange Land'.

Even after the emergence of second album, 1989's 'Tough It Out', produced with Neil Kernon and mixed by Nigel Green and issued via Epic Records, a record that contained co-writes with the likes of hot songwriter Desmond Child, FM still found the high chart placings to be elusive. The initial single, 'Bad Luck', was boosted by a video filmed at Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose aero hanger in Los Angeles, but only reached number 54 on the British charts. Second single 'Someday', launched in October, entered the charts at number 64. 'Tough It Out', preceded by UK headline shows, peaked at number 34 in the UK, but did find appreciation in Sweden. In 1990 the third 'Tough It Out' single, 'Everytime I Think Of You', hit number 73.

The band signed to Music For Nations and launched into a successful British club tour with CRASH N' BURN as support act. By this stage FM was promoting the album 'Takin' It To The Streets', actually a collection of demos recorded in Winchester. Eventually enough was enough for Chris Overland who quit in 1991 to be replaced by former URCHIN, BROADWAY BRATS and MARSHALL FURY guitarist Andy Barnett, who had actually enjoyed a songwriting credit on the first album's 'That Girl'. FM issued the single cover version 'Heard It Through The Grapevine'.

It wasn't long before Didge Digital also departed, the keyboard player's final FM performance being as support to STATUS QUO in Bournemouth on December 21st 1991. His place was taken on a temporary basis by ROMEO'S DAUGHTER man Tony 'Slim' Mitman. The band would enjoy a return to popularity with a shift in direction to a blusier sound and released some rather critically acclaimed albums in the subsequent period with 1992's 'Aphrodisiac'. Ironically, 'Aphrodisiac' was to prove the band's cheapest album to record and would go on to sell the most units.

In 1994, the year FM signed a new deal with Raw Power, Steve Overland performed on the 'Metal Christmas' album, a gathering of assorted Rock types, including ex-IRON MAIDEN vocalist PAUL DIANNO, erstwhile WINGS man Denny Laine and THE QUIREBOYS' Guy Bailey, delivering Rock versions of traditional Christmas tunes

Ex-TOBRUK, MIDNIGHT BLUE and UFO keyboard player Jem Davies joined the band in 1995 to fill a gap that had previously only been filled on a temporary basis by Tony Mitman. After FM's demise Davis would also contribute keyboards the following year to RAINBOW vocalist Dougie White's solo project band CHAIN before forming the pop act SHRUNK.

In the wake of FM's split, the band feeling that they had gone as far as they could, Andy Barnett toured Britain with a side project titled ANDY BARNETT'S BARNSTORMERS involving both Goldsworthy and Davis. Steve Overland also conducted solo British shows in 1996.

By 1997 Merv Goldsworthy had created THE SLAVES with erstwhile ROMEO'S DAUGHTER members and was reported to be working on film soundtracks. The same year FM found their track 'Closer To Heaven' being covered by the Swedish ex-ALIEN and SNAKECHARMER vocalist PETE SANDBERG for his solo 'Back In Business' album.

1999 had Barnett treading the boards with an act titled XFM complete with former RAINBOW and MIDNIGHT BLUE vocalist Dougie White.

In 2001 erstwhile FM members Steve Overland, Pete Jupp and Jem Davis would all figure on a UFO tribute album entitled 'Only UFO Can Rock Me'. During early 2002 Steve Overland announced a union with erstwhile IAN GILLAN and present day HEARTLAND guitarist Steve Morris for a project entitled SHADOWMAN. Later recruits to this band project included THUNDER and MAGNUM drummer Harry James and THUNDER and GO WEST bass player Chris Childs. Drummer Pete Jupp would also be back in the news, performing on the NEWMAN 'Sign Of The Modern Times' record.

FM signed to the Italian Frontiers during late 2002, the first fruits of this association being a re-release of the Japanese 'Paraphernalia' album coupled with a bonus disc of 'Aphrodisiac' plus songs from the 'Tough It Out' sessions. Plans were also unveiled for a new album provisionally billed as 'Discoveries'.

In early 2003 it would be revealed that former DARE, TEN, ASIA and ULTRAVOX man VINNY BURNS had joined the band. Burns would also be touting a brand new band project entitled BURNS BLUE which involved Pete Jupp on the drums alongside former SAMSON singer Sam Blue and WISHBONE ASH bassist Bob Skeat. That same year ex-member Didge Digital was to be found on the covers circuit with PINK FLOYD tribute band OFF THE WALL. He would then move on to an EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER homage act BLACK MOON.

A 2005 FM double digipack, entitled 'Long Lost Friends' and released by Escape Music, would see a re-packaging of the 1991 album 'Takin' It To The Streets' and the 1995 album 'Dead Man's Shoes' with added bonus tracks. Andy Barnett resurfaced in early 2006 as a member of the resurrected NWoBHM band METAL MIRROR.

FM, counting Merv Goldsworthy, Steve Overland, Pete Jupp, Andy Barnett and Jem Davies, reunited for the first time in twelve years to perform at the Firefest 4 event held at Nottingham Rock City on October 27th 2007.

Guitarist Andy Barnett left the band in November 2008. Jim Kirkpatrick was announced as replacement on 20th February 2009. FM made an appearance at the 24th October 2009 'Firefest' event in Nottingham.