Clive Culbertson’s first solo single appeared on Rip Off records in 1979 after the demise of his New Wave combo No Sweat (see No Sweat and The Sweat bios elsewhere on this site for further info on these bands). Clive had went into the studio with drummer Paddy Scanlon (Clive played all the other instruments on the single) and laid down the catchy “Time To Kill” c/w “Busy Signal” 7” single. This was to be his final recording on Rip Off Records. The single was awarded record of the week in Sounds magazine and was later picked up by Logo Records in England. Years later Clive learned that in fact this single and his 1981 single 'Kiss Me' on Mint Records had both in fact been Top Ten Hits in Japan! Clive’s association with Rip Off Records continued after his final release though and it saw him act as sound engineer on many tracks and also produced bands such as The Tinopeners and The Zipps for the label.

After just two solo singles, by 1981 Clive had become somewhat disillusioned with the music industry and became a commercial session bassist for the BBC, effectively their in-house bassist for their radio and television shows. Clive held this position up until 1986.

A further Mint single, “Kiss Me” was released in 1982 and by 1983 Clive had got back to performing live solo shows again, playing a mixture of his own material and covers of his current favourite songs. He also played bass for The John Anderson Big Band and also played bass on the multimillion selling single and album for Jive Bunny.

In 1984 Clive recorded new material at his home studio. The results of which caught the attention of Mervyn Solomon of Rip Off Records. Mervyn made contact with Clive via George Doherty, his in house producer and Clive was subsequently invited to return to their Templepatrick studio to once again record there. Lots of new material, in a variety of styles was recorded and a single, “Just A Little Bit” was released on Mint records, followed by “I Can’t Fight It” the following year (1985) on the same label. However, these were the only recordings released from those 1984 sessions. Both singles were big hits in Ireland but failed to make any impact outside of the emerald isle. Clive’s contract was terminated by Mervyn Solomon, who also retained the rights to all the recordings made in 1984. All that material would go unreleased until 2007 when Tokyo based Japanese label 1977 Records released Clive’s entire back catalogue to that point. These re releases sparked a brief reformation of The Sweat which culminated in two live sell out shows in Tokyo in November 2007. 

In 1986 Clive converted the outbuildings at his home into a working recording studio called “No Sweat” which remains his day job right up to the present day. Clive has also established himself as a much sought after producer on the busy country music scene. He has toured and recorded with many artists including Van Morrison, The Chieftains and Cliff Richard.

Clive has continued to develop his writing and performing career, notably with country rock band 'New Moon', of which he was a founding member in 1991. New Moon were hugely popular on the country festival circuit in the late 90s/early noughties’. More recently Clive has sessioned for the Hothouse Flowers in Ireland and Italy and performed on BBC Ireland's Lmeall Geal programme with guitarist/singer Fiachna O'braonain. In 1993 Clive recorded 5 songs with the legendary Irish singer /songwriter David McWilliams (R.I.P) who was responsible for such 60s classics as “The Days Of Pearly Spencer”. Clive regards these sessions as some of the highlights of his career.

In 2005 Clive joined Yap Yap Yap, playing an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, blues and swing. In 2010 Clive released a new solo album entitled “Still Havin’ Fun” to much critical acclaim. The album was recorded entirely at his Coleraine studio and is a collection of pop rock love songs that bear the hallmarks of Clive’s whole career, from powerpop to country ballads. The album features exceptional performances from some of the finest session players in the country.