Michael Moorcock hosts 1983 ITV show about the Positive Punk genre based on an NME article by Richard North.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Yashar
The Cabaret Voltaire of 1973 to 1976 was purely involved in the manipulation of these sounds and the compilation of tapes of them.
As part of the confrontational energy of punk, itself inspired by the Dada and Situationist art movements, the early titles of the records didn't mince words - 'Baader Meinhof' and 'Do The Mussolini (Headkick)' were indicators that were bound to lead to a certain notoriety. To the press they appeared to be immersed in a world of paranoia fed by conspiracy theories, political control and the use of drugs to both liberate and inhibit the individual.
The band began working with Rough Trade in 1978, producing the now seminal triumvirate of albums "Mix Up" (1979), "Voice of America" (1980) and their most prophetic album "Red Mecca" (1981), an album released to an excellent response from the music press. All these recordings were assembled in the seclusion of the band's own studio in Sheffield called Western Works.
As part of the confrontational energy of punk, itself inspired by the Dada and Situationist art movements, the early titles of the records didn't mince words - 'Baader Meinhof' and 'Do The Mussolini (Headkick)' were indicators that were bound to lead to a certain notoriety. To the press they appeared to be immersed in a world of paranoia fed by conspiracy theories, political control and the use of drugs to both liberate and inhibit the individual.
The band began working with Rough Trade in 1978, producing the now seminal triumvirate of albums "Mix Up" (1979), "Voice of America" (1980) and their most prophetic album "Red Mecca" (1981), an album released to an excellent response from the music press. All these recordings were assembled in the seclusion of the band's own studio in Sheffield called Western Works.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Atv
Alternative TV (often referred to by fans as ATV) were an English rock band, formed in London in 1976. Their punk rock and post-punk sound has proven influential for several musical artists.
As the founding editor of the pioneering Sniffin' Glue fanzine, Mark Perry gained attention in the English punk scene. He formed the band while producing the fanzine, although eventually diverted his energies solely to this band.
Key members of the band were Perry and Alex Fergusson, who described their music as "closest to Can and reggae-type rhythms".
The band's debut single was "Love Lies Limp", a free flexi disc issued with the final edition of Perry's Sniffin' Glue fanzine. On this single Perry and Fergusson were accompanied by John Towe (ex Generation X) and Tyrone Thomas. Towe left to join the Rage and was replaced by Chris Bennett, so completing a line-up which early punk fans consider to epitomise the punk era (the band subsequently underwent extensive line-up changes). Shortly afterwards they released the "How Much Longer" / "You Bastard" 7" in December 1977, the A-side being a critique of youth culture apathy.
Soon thereafter at the end of 1977, Perry sacked his chief collaborator Fergusson. The latter went on to form Cash Pussies and, a few years later, Psychic TV along with Genesis P Orridge. Fergusson was replaced by Dennis Burns.
A dub influenced single, "Life after Life," was released as well as a debut album, The Image Has Cracked. The band's second album, Vibing Up the Senile Man saw the band take a more explicitly experimental direction however, which alienated many of their followers as well as the music press. Around the same time, a live LP, split with commune-dwelling hippy band Here and Now was released (a document of their tour together), marking the band's movement further away from the ever more predictable punk/new wave scene. Alternative TV soon evolved into the avant-garde project, The Good Missionaries (taking the name from a track on the 'Vibing' album), releasing one album, "Fire From Heaven" in 1979. A series of releases under Perry's own name as well as an album under the name Door and the Window followed before Perry, Burns and Fergusson briefly reformed Alternative TV along with former members of Fergusson's Cash Pussies in 1981. Alex briefly returned to collaborate with Mark on the Alternative TV's 'pop' album, Strange Kicks which was produced by Richard Mazda.
From 1981 to 1984, Perry had a new project, Reflections, collaborating with Karl Blake (of Lemon Kittens) and Grant Showbiz among others, before concentrating on production.
Perry reformed ATV in 1985. This line up started with Karl Blake, Steve Cannell and Allison Philips. Protag and then Clive Giblin featured later on guitar and ATV released further records on and off over the following decade or so with varying line-ups, Perry being the only constant member. Another line up followed with James Kyllo and Steve Cannell which lead to the releases of "Sol" and "Dragon Love".
Lost Moment Records released the 2001 studio album, "Revolution", followed in 2003 by the official bootleg album "Viva La Rock'n' Roll - comprising of live performances recorded in the UK, France, Germany and the US. In 2004 Mark finally gave in to logic and recorded the Ramones classic "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" for a Lost Moment Single and an Argentinian Ramones tribute CD, and the world heard at last his version of the song that his pioneering fanzine took its name from. Cleopatra Records released a compilation of the Lost Moment output for the US market in February 2006, entitled "In Control".
Mark Perry is currently (Dec 2006) in the process of forming the new Sniffin' Glue Records label, which will feature a third Long Decline album as its first release.
As the founding editor of the pioneering Sniffin' Glue fanzine, Mark Perry gained attention in the English punk scene. He formed the band while producing the fanzine, although eventually diverted his energies solely to this band.
Key members of the band were Perry and Alex Fergusson, who described their music as "closest to Can and reggae-type rhythms".
The band's debut single was "Love Lies Limp", a free flexi disc issued with the final edition of Perry's Sniffin' Glue fanzine. On this single Perry and Fergusson were accompanied by John Towe (ex Generation X) and Tyrone Thomas. Towe left to join the Rage and was replaced by Chris Bennett, so completing a line-up which early punk fans consider to epitomise the punk era (the band subsequently underwent extensive line-up changes). Shortly afterwards they released the "How Much Longer" / "You Bastard" 7" in December 1977, the A-side being a critique of youth culture apathy.
Soon thereafter at the end of 1977, Perry sacked his chief collaborator Fergusson. The latter went on to form Cash Pussies and, a few years later, Psychic TV along with Genesis P Orridge. Fergusson was replaced by Dennis Burns.
A dub influenced single, "Life after Life," was released as well as a debut album, The Image Has Cracked. The band's second album, Vibing Up the Senile Man saw the band take a more explicitly experimental direction however, which alienated many of their followers as well as the music press. Around the same time, a live LP, split with commune-dwelling hippy band Here and Now was released (a document of their tour together), marking the band's movement further away from the ever more predictable punk/new wave scene. Alternative TV soon evolved into the avant-garde project, The Good Missionaries (taking the name from a track on the 'Vibing' album), releasing one album, "Fire From Heaven" in 1979. A series of releases under Perry's own name as well as an album under the name Door and the Window followed before Perry, Burns and Fergusson briefly reformed Alternative TV along with former members of Fergusson's Cash Pussies in 1981. Alex briefly returned to collaborate with Mark on the Alternative TV's 'pop' album, Strange Kicks which was produced by Richard Mazda.
From 1981 to 1984, Perry had a new project, Reflections, collaborating with Karl Blake (of Lemon Kittens) and Grant Showbiz among others, before concentrating on production.
Perry reformed ATV in 1985. This line up started with Karl Blake, Steve Cannell and Allison Philips. Protag and then Clive Giblin featured later on guitar and ATV released further records on and off over the following decade or so with varying line-ups, Perry being the only constant member. Another line up followed with James Kyllo and Steve Cannell which lead to the releases of "Sol" and "Dragon Love".
Lost Moment Records released the 2001 studio album, "Revolution", followed in 2003 by the official bootleg album "Viva La Rock'n' Roll - comprising of live performances recorded in the UK, France, Germany and the US. In 2004 Mark finally gave in to logic and recorded the Ramones classic "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" for a Lost Moment Single and an Argentinian Ramones tribute CD, and the world heard at last his version of the song that his pioneering fanzine took its name from. Cleopatra Records released a compilation of the Lost Moment output for the US market in February 2006, entitled "In Control".
Mark Perry is currently (Dec 2006) in the process of forming the new Sniffin' Glue Records label, which will feature a third Long Decline album as its first release.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Gaznevada
Gaznevada adventure started at the end of the seventies when Billy Blade (vocal and sax), Bat Matic (drums), Andy Nevada (vocal and synth), Chainsaw Sally (bass) and Robert Squibb (guitar) decided it was time to give to their social / sonic hysteria a form.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Ivan The Terrible
Ivan is introduced in the legendary parties of the swinging London ’70. Here he knows Cat Stevens, Marc Bolan, the photographer David Bailey and the famous painter Francis Bacon.
He comes back to Italy for the military duty, but he is immediately refused because of his “strangeness”..
He starts to hold the first concerts, in meetings and in alternative pop festivals which belonged to the underground area where Ivan moved his first steps. Right there he meets Nanni Ricordi, father and inventor of all the Italian singer-writers, who propose him to take part in ULTIMA SPIAGGIA, the only Italian firm of vanguard, with CRAMPS.
In 1975 he records his first LP, “UOAEI”, like the vocals of the alphabet, in which Ivan uses his voice in an experimental way, quite like an instrument, and a completely invented language.
He comes back to Italy for the military duty, but he is immediately refused because of his “strangeness”..
He starts to hold the first concerts, in meetings and in alternative pop festivals which belonged to the underground area where Ivan moved his first steps. Right there he meets Nanni Ricordi, father and inventor of all the Italian singer-writers, who propose him to take part in ULTIMA SPIAGGIA, the only Italian firm of vanguard, with CRAMPS.
In 1975 he records his first LP, “UOAEI”, like the vocals of the alphabet, in which Ivan uses his voice in an experimental way, quite like an instrument, and a completely invented language.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
I Wanna Be Free
The Rings were formed by Twink (real name John Alder) veteran of many psychedelic bands including Tomorrow and The Pink Fairies. While primarily a drummer he took on the role of front man in the band while Alan Lee Shaw played guitar and wrote the songs. Songs at the time included a mix of originals and Fairies numbers. Rod Latter played drums (later to join the Adverts). The band was completed by Dennis Stow on bass. A one off deal with Chiswick brought the excellent single I Wanna Be Free / Automobile in May 1977. Band played all the usual 'toilets' like the 100 Club and Roxy.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Fatal Microbes
The Fatal Microbes were a UK punk group that existed in the late 1970s. Honey Bane (Donna Tracey Boylan) was the lead singer. Other band members were Gem Stone (Gemma Sansom) on drums, Pete Fender (Dan Sansom) on guitar, and Scotty Boy Barker (Scott Barker) who was briefly replaced as bassist by It (Quentin North).
In 1979, Small Wonder and XNTRIX Records co-released a split 12" EP entitled "Violence Grows", which also featured the (at that time) Epping based Poison Girls (whose singer, Vi Subversa, was also mother to Gem Stone and Pete Fender). Due to the popularity of Fatal Microbes, Small Wonder Records released a 7" single featuring "Violence Grows", which was hailed as a classic by John Peel.
In 1979, Small Wonder and XNTRIX Records co-released a split 12" EP entitled "Violence Grows", which also featured the (at that time) Epping based Poison Girls (whose singer, Vi Subversa, was also mother to Gem Stone and Pete Fender). Due to the popularity of Fatal Microbes, Small Wonder Records released a 7" single featuring "Violence Grows", which was hailed as a classic by John Peel.
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