Burning The Ground Exclusive
For today’s Closet 80s feature, we shine a light on a band that seemed poised to break through—but ultimately remained one of the decade’s more intriguing “what ifs.” Enter Ten Ten, a Richmond, Virginia-based New Wave outfit whose debut single “When It Rains” arrived in 1986 as a fully-formed statement of mood, melody, and transatlantic ambition.
Formed in 1984, Ten Ten—Mark Lewis (guitar/vocals), Peter Bell (bass), Don Ruzek (keyboards/guitar), and Lee Johnson (drums)—quickly found themselves in an unusual position for an American band. Rather than being compared to their U.S. contemporaries, the American press consistently drew parallels between Ten Ten and British acts. That association would ultimately shape the band’s trajectory.
Leaning into those comparisons, Ten Ten signed with the UK-based Chrysalis Records and focused much of their energy overseas. It was a strategic move that made perfect sense—their sound, driven by shimmering guitars and introspective lyricism, aligned naturally with the UK’s alternative and New Wave scenes of the time.
“When It Rains”, their debut single, encapsulates that aesthetic beautifully. There’s a cool, atmospheric restraint to the track—jangly guitars ripple across a steady rhythm while subtle keyboard textures add depth and mood. Mark Lewis delivers the vocal with a detached, almost wistful tone that enhances the song’s reflective quality. It’s not flashy—it’s immersive.
The single also benefited from a music video that received airplay on MTV in the spring of 1986, giving the band a valuable platform at a time when visual exposure could make or break a new act. While it didn’t catapult them into superstardom, it certainly helped cement their place within the alternative underground of the era.
Ten Ten’s momentum carried them onto some impressive tours. In autumn 1985, they hit the road with The Waterboys, followed by tours in 1986 supporting Simply Red and later Pete Shelley. These associations further reinforced their connection to the UK scene and exposed them to audiences that were already primed for their sound.
Despite these opportunities, Ten Ten never quite achieved the commercial breakthrough their music suggested was possible. Over the course of their career, they released just two singles and two albums, leaving behind a compact but compelling catalog. By 1991, after several years of playing club shows around their hometown of Richmond, the band quietly disbanded.
Listening back to “When It Rains” today, it’s easy to hear why Ten Ten stood out. The song captures a very specific mid-80s atmosphere—thoughtful, slightly melancholic, and deeply melodic—without sounding dated or overproduced. It’s the kind of track that rewards repeat listens, revealing more of its understated charm each time.
For collectors and fans of the era, Ten Ten represents one of those bands that slipped through the cracks—not for lack of talent, but perhaps due to timing, geography, or the unpredictable nature of the music industry.
If “When It Rains” is new to you, give it a spin and let it sink in. It’s a perfect example of why digging into the Closet 80s can be so rewarding—because sometimes the most memorable songs are the ones that never quite made it into the spotlight.
SIDE A:
When It Rains (Extended Version) 5:14
SIDE B:
Walk On (Live Version) 4:09
When It Rains (Edit) 4:17
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 608 429
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Europe
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Photography By [Cover] – Eric Watson (3)
- Photography By [Coverback] – Neil Matthews
- Producer – John Williams (3) (tracks: B1), Stephen Street (tracks: A, B2)
NOTES:
Ten Ten are: Mark Lewis (guitar/vocals), Peter Bell (bass), Don Ruzek (keyboards/guitar), and Lee Johnson (drums)
Printed In Germany
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
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These boys are more talented than that old UK group Tin Tin 🙂 Thanks for posting this rarity, Paul. I never saw this in the import stores, Tower Records, or on the radio (where alt radio should have played it). This was about a year after Chrysalis US changed from an independent label in the US to CBS Records for both manufacturing, distribution, and promotion…which means it got lost among the other Columbia/Epic releases of the day. Very sad this talented group got boned by the typical record industry nonsense.
Wow first time I’ve heard this. I woud have bought this back in ’86 without a doubt.
I live in England and I don’t know what the record label were doing with the band. First time I’ver ever heard of this or the band.Shame
Hello DJ Paul. Would it be possible to re-upload the ‘Ten Ten – Million Miles Away (Extended Version)’ single? You posted it a few years back, but the 24/44 and 16/44 links are down. I’ve been looking for a high-quality version, but I can only find low-quality 128 kbps files. Thanks advance.
Greetings Paul,
Quite a rousing tune, i certainly hear the ‘British influence’ in their sound. As always thank you for sharing these obscure gems,
it’s very appreciated.
peace,
dj
Hi, thank you for your comment. I have never posted that record before.
Hi Paul, you probably meant this reply for Rafinha Santos 😉
peace,
dj
Wow! What a rare gem! Thanks A Lot!
Dennis—my pleasure!
This one really is a hidden gem and exactly the kind of track I love pulling out for the Closet 80s series. Ten Ten had such a strong sound, and “When It Rains” deserved far more attention than it got.
It’s always satisfying when one of these overlooked singles connects with people all these years later. That’s what makes the digging worthwhile.
Really glad you enjoyed this one!
Really appreciate it Paul. Do you happen to have Then Jerico’s Muscle Deep? Thanks So Much Paul.
Saw them perform on Parkpop in The Hague in 1986 along with Kissing The Pink, Do-Re-Mi, Inxs, Bangles and Madness.
Wilco—that must have been an incredible lineup! Seeing Ten Ten on a bill with Kissing the Pink, Do-Re-Mi, INXS, The Bangles, and Madness sounds like an absolute dream for an 80s music fan. That really says a lot about how much Europe embraced Ten Ten compared to the U.S. They seemed to find a much warmer reception overseas, which makes sense considering how often they were compared to British bands. Their sound fit perfectly with that scene. Parkpop in The Hague must have been such a great atmosphere too—those kinds of festival memories stay with you forever. Very cool that… Read more »
No Michael Jackson upload for the release of MICHAEL? 😜
Cam—haha, I knew someone was going to bring that up😀
I figured everyone else would be covering Michael Jackson today, so I thought I’d stay true to the Closet 80s mission and shine a little light on something a bit more under the radar.
As much as I love the big blockbuster releases, there’s something especially satisfying about rescuing a forgotten gem like Ten Ten from obscurity. Besides, if I posted Michael every time there was a major anniversary, we’d never have room for the wonderfully weird stuff!
That said… never say never
This rocks Paul!! It does sound familiar, I imagine I would have come across it at some point. But you’re right, this is a perfect showcase for the Closet 80s series… It really is representative of the mid-80s sound with memorable hooks to boot. All the best the decade had to offer! Sadly this single didn’t chart, but it must have been a decent radio and/or MTV hit, and fully deserving of its success and more. Like I’ve said before, I truly believe we had access to so much great music that great singles like this slipped through the cracks.… Read more »
Retro Hound—exactly this. You summed up the whole Closet 80s mission in one comment. There was just so much incredible music coming out in the mid-80s that even tracks with hooks like this—and a solid MTV push—could still slip right through unnoticed on a larger scale. I agree with you—it definitely feels like something that got decent exposure, whether on radio or in video rotation. That familiarity factor is strong with this one. It sits so comfortably alongside the era’s sound that it almost blends into the fabric of the time… which may actually be part of why it didn’t… Read more »
This one is new to me. I’d have liked it at the time had I heard it then. Thank you!
Dean—those are always the ones that hit the hardest, aren’t they?
You can instantly tell this would’ve fit right into your rotation back then. It’s got that effortless mid-80s feel where everything just clicks—the kind of track that sounds familiar even on a first listen.
That’s the beauty (and frustration) of bands like Ten Ten—they were right there stylistically, but just didn’t get the exposure they needed at the time. Glad it finally made its way to you now.
Really appreciate you giving it a spin!
Totally missed this one before now! Definitely slipped through the cracks for me, love coming here and finding a spotlight on something new – and there’s a real difference between a random song I never heard and a curated selection that makes the cut here! What a cool mid 80s new wave crossed with synth/pop sound. So funny after listening that it has such a familiar aura despite my never having heard it before! There are some vague shades of Echo & the Bunnymen and perhaps Icehouse. Even the music video passed me by, which is saying something! The band… Read more »
JP—this is such a great way to put it, and I know exactly what you mean about that “familiar aura.” Some of these records just feel like you’ve known them forever, even on a first listen. You nailed the comparisons too—there’s definitely that atmospheric edge you’d associate with Echo & the Bunnymen, and I can absolutely hear a bit of Icehouse in the texture and mood. It’s that blend of guitar-driven New Wave with just enough synth polish to give it depth without going full-on pop. And that’s what makes Ten Ten such an interesting case—they had a sound that… Read more »
yeah, this one definitely should’ve been bigger! I remember this song very well, even though it was poorly promoted. You can tell the label didn’t really believe in them, since they’re not included on any of the streaming services, not even this song or their Plimsouls cover “A Million Miles Away”. So glad we have you to resurrect these gems!
Axel—exactly, and that’s the real kicker here. Not only are the singles missing, but both albums have never made the jump to CD or any digital platform, either. It’s like Ten Ten just fell completely through the cracks of the reissue era. For a band that had label backing from Chrysalis Records and even MTV exposure, you’d think something would have surfaced by now. It really makes you wonder about the rights situation—whether it’s tied up in the Chrysalis catalog shuffle over the years or just sitting there waiting for someone to care enough to revisit it. Because the material… Read more »
Although I don’t know the song, watching the clip here, I like what I’m hearing! Thank you, Paul, for these introductions to the many records I’ve missed. I really appreciate it!
Jeff
Jeff—this is exactly why I love doing this series. Ten Ten is one of those bands that so many people missed the first time around, not because the music wasn’t there—but because it just didn’t get the exposure it deserved. I had a feeling this one might click with you once you heard it. That clip really gives a good snapshot of their vibe—moody, melodic, and very much in that transatlantic space where an American band sounds like they could’ve come straight out of the UK scene. It’s easy to see why they ended up on Chrysalis Records and spent… Read more »