the origin of kula shaker can be traced back to 1988 when crispian mills (grandson of sir john mills and son of actress hayley mills and film director roy boulting) met alonza bevan at richmond upon thames college in south-west london. the two went on to play together in a band named objects of desire, formed later that year. the band's initial line-up consisted of mills on lead guitar, bevan on bass, marcus french (aka frog) on drums, leigh morris on rhythm guitar, and marcus maclaine (then hayley mills' boyfriend) on lead vocals. in 1991, paul winterhart joined the band, replacing french on drums. during this period, crispian and alonza were also responsible for running the mantra shack, a psychedelic nightclub at the back of richmond ice rink, and consequently, the objects of desire would often perform at the venue.