Mair's music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as the co-founder and bass guitarist for the English rock band the Only Ones, co-producing their second studio album Even Serpents Shine and writing and singing "My Way Out of Here" for their third and final album Baby's Got a Gun. They released a top 60 hit in 1992 with the single "Another Girl, Another Planet". The band has maintained a cult following throughout its existence.

After originally disbanding in 1982, The Only Ones reformed in 2007 after their biggest hit song "Another Girl, Another Planet" picked up a lot of public interest after being used in a Vodafone TV advertisement commercial in 2006.

The Only Ones bassist Alan Mair, previously had success with the Scottish band 'The Beatstalkers' and uses Ashdown bass amplification.