For Gareth Sager, it started with The Pop Group. Emerging in the late-'70s post-punk era, this militant gang of leftist radical politicos from Bristol, England, specialized in a funk-driven cacophony of sound that was abrasive, strident, and ultimately very exciting. Railing against Margaret Thatcher's Tory government, the state of pop music, racism, sexism, etc., the Pop Group were an interesting melange of primitive rhythms and avant-garde guitar noise. Led by the squalling "vocals" of Mark Stewart, The Pop Group were challenging, joyfully noisy, and downright weird. Never intending to make a serious run at the pop charts, the Pop Group imploded after three albums. Gareth Sager, then formed the wild Rip Rig & Panic (named after a Rahsaan Roland Kirk LP), which also featured the lead vocals of a then-teenage Neneh Cherry.

Rip, Rig & Panic answered the question: What happens when avant-garde post-punks collide headlong with a pop/soul singer and play a mutated form of jazz? A loosely knit collection of ex-Pop Group members (Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith) and young stars-to-be (Neneh Cherry), Rip, Rig & Panic formed in 1980 as quintessential avant-garde bohemians. They eschewed pop for a more primal, percussive foundation. Rip, Rig & Panic were all about fun and playfulness. Even the song titles ("Constant Drudgery Is Harmful to Soul, Spirit & Health" and "Those Eskimo Women Speak Frankly") sounded more like surreal announcements than they did traditional, catchy song titles. Arguably the most likable bunch of avant-garde types ever to record music, Rip, Rig & Panic called it a day after three mostly wonderful records.

After a brief sojourn under the moniker Float Up CP, Sager re-emerged with cohorts Rich Beale and Nick Sheppard as Head. The post rock sound of Head was drawing inspiration from the region's seafaring traditions. The debut album A Snog on the Rocks remains the group's finest moment, the defining statement of an improbable local-color approach to alternative rock. Head's concoction of sea shanties, wonderfully puerile innuendo, drinking songs, and good old-fashioned punk attitude stands in stark contrast to the dark and austere beats and grooves for which Bristol would become famous in the 1990s. Although Head jettisoned the politics and dissonant funk of the Pop Group, as well as the fragmented jazz experimentation of Rip Rig & Panic, its sound retained the anarchic flavor of both, albeit within a more conventionally melodic and accessible format.

"The Last Second Of Normal Time" heralds the return of ex-Pop Group majordomo, Gareth Sager. His first work since the Rip, Rig & Panic / Head period. The album is a combination of punk fired funk and melodic melancholic songs. There are several instrumental tracks that combine piani jazz influences with more avant garde overtones.