Loz Netto: The Sniff 'n' the Tears Guitarist and Songwriter

Loz Netto is a British singer, guitarist, and songwriter best known as the frontman and creative force behind the rock band Sniff 'n' the Tears. Hailing from London, England, Netto achieved international fame in 1978 when the band's single "Driver's Seat" became a global radio hit, driving their album Fickle Heart to platinum-level sales in several countries.

Early career

Born Laurence Netto in 1946, his musical journey began in London's vibrant pub and club scene during the late 1960s. He initially played in bands like The Deep Feeling and later formed the group Aerial with future Sniff 'n' the Tears collaborator Paul Roberts, honing a sound that blended rock, pop, and rhythm and blues influences.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough arrived in 1978 with the release of Sniff 'n' the Tears' debut album, Fickle Heart, on the Chiswick Records label. While the album initially garnered modest attention, the track "Driver's Seat" exploded as a single in 1979, climbing to number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and achieving major success across Europe and Canada, where it was certified platinum.

Key tracks

Driver's Seat — This definitive single propelled the band to international fame with its distinctive guitar riff and driving rhythm.

New Lines on Love — Another standout track from Fickle Heart, it showcased Netto's sophisticated songwriting and the band's tight musicianship.

Rock 'n' Roll Music — A later track highlighting Netto's enduring commitment to guitar-driven rock within the band's evolving catalogue.

The success of "Driver's Seat" created a high watermark, and despite lineup changes, Netto continued to steer Sniff 'n' the Tears. The band released subsequent albums like The Game's Up (1980) and Love Action (1981) on Atlantic Records before an extended hiatus.

Loz Netto revived the Sniff 'n' the Tears name in the 1990s, writing and recording new material. He has since overseen the release of several well-received albums, including Blue Orange (2013) and Downstream (2019), proving the longevity of his melodic rock craft.

For fans of Loz Netto's brand of intelligent, guitar-based rock, explore similar artists from the UK scene like Paul Weller who shares a knack for sharp songwriting across mod and rock genres. The melodic rock approach connects with The Jam for their energetic British sound and concise hits. Listeners may also appreciate Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel for their distinctive vocal styles and art-rock flair. The driving pop-rock of Nick Lowe offers another point of musical comparison from the same era.

The music of Loz Netto and Sniff 'n' the Tears maintains a steady presence on classic rock FM stations and specialist radio streams that celebrate the late 1970s and 1980s guitar rock era. Their signature hit is a staple on playlists dedicated to one-hit wonders and deeper album rock cuts, ensuring new generations of listeners discover their work.

You can hear the timeless rock of Loz Netto on radio stations featured across our website. Tune in to the stations available on onairium.com to discover his classic hits and deeper album tracks.