British Punk

1 of 4 Pages     Next ›

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1977–82) The charismatic Adam Ant (b. Stuart Goddard) was a prominent figure in the boutiques and clubs of the punk scene, appearing in Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee, and releasing Dirk Wears White Sox in 1979. After his backing band became Bow Wow Wow, he started from scratch, gaining huge fame with his follow-up – 1980’s Kings Of The Wild Frontier. Powered by African-style drumming, courtesy of Merrick and Terry ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
173 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1984–95) Mick Jones followed his stint as a founder member of The Clash with the genre-hopping BAD. He enlisted filmmaker Don Letts on ‘effects’ and adventurously married punk, hip hop and electronica on 1985’s This Is BAD. The album’s single, ‘E=MC2’ scored highly in the UK. Jones recruited old chum Joe Strummer for the similar No. 10 Upping Street (1986). An excitingly innovative outfit at the outset, BAD succumbed ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
92 Words Read More

(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1954) One of new wave’s most celebrated songwriters, Costello (born Declan Patrick MacManus) initially portrayed himself as an angry, revenge-obsessed young man before steadily maturing into a genre-straddling elder statesman. His cheeky appropriation of the name ‘Elvis’ was in tune with the iconoclastic mood of 1977, when his debut album My Aim Is True was released. Temporary backing band Clover were superseded by The Attractions – Bruce Thomas ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
178 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1976–81) A London punk band consisting of Billy Idol (William Broad, vocals), Tony James (bass), Bob Andrews (guitar) and Mark Laff (drums), Generation X were viewed with suspicion by the punk cognoscenti for their pop leanings and failure to toe the party line. They scored a Top 20 hit with ‘King Rocker’ in 1979 but otherwise their success was limited, and after three albums (one as Gen X) they ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
166 Words Read More

(Vocals, b. 1954) Sharp-suited keyboardist and singer Jackson, from Portsmouth, rode the new wave with quirky love songs such as ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him’, and a varied US Top 20 album Look Sharp (1979). He then reverted to his musical background in jazz. With 1981’s Joe Jackson’s Jumpin’ Jive he updated big band swing. More eclectic albums, Night And Day (1982) and Body And Soul (1984) and a ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
96 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1976–80) One of the UK’s most important post-punk bands, Joy Division’s often bleak and claustrophobic music continues to inspire and influence. Enthused by The Sex Pistols’ legendary first Manchester gig in 1976, school friends Bernard Sumner (guitar) and Peter Hook (bass) formed Stiff Kittens, quickly renamed Warsaw. Recruiting Ian Curtis (vocals) and Steven Morris (drums), they became Joy Division in late 1977. Working with maverick producer Martin Hannett for independent ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
165 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1986–present) When guitarist Richey Edwards disappeared/committed suicide in 1995 the end of the line seemed in sight for this band of Welsh Generational Terrorists. However, James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitar), Nicky Wire (bass) and Sean Moore (drums) soldiered on delivering Everything Must Go (1996). Retaining the artistic integrity that was one of their punk-inspired founding principles, it yielded hit anthem after hit anthem. Subsequent albums were equally compelling as ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
96 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1980–present) Alongside The Levellers and Chumbawumba, this long-lived punk folk band from Bradford have kept alive the tradition of rock protest songs married to listenable music. Justin ‘Slade The Leveller’ Sullivan (vocals, guitar), Stuart Morrow (bass, guitar) and Robb Heaton (drums) first launched their sonic assault on Margaret Thatcher with 1984’s Vengeance. An expedient alliance with EMI started a steady flow of Top 50 albums from No Rest For ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
96 Words Read More

(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1969) Hailing from the UK’s ‘West Country’, P.J. Harvey is now eight albums into her career. Trading in a primeval, highly feminine strain of blues rock, Polly Jean Harvey has moved from stripped-down rock to sophisticated acoustic ballads before a stomping brand of indie that is incendiary when caught live. She has influenced many female acts since the mid-1990s, and has guested and duetted with artists as diverse ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
97 Words Read More

(Guitar, singer-songwriter, b. 1958) Weller had already written himself into pop history with the feisty guitar pop of The Jam and soulfully commercial groove of The Style Council when he went solo in 1990. Musically and spiritually renewed by live work, Paul Weller (1992) laid strong acoustic foundations for the masterful Wild Wood (1994). This mature collection of songs showcased Weller’s emotional depth and confirmed a songwriting genius not afraid to ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
166 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1977–80) A rabble-rousing punk group from Hersham, Surrey, led by the garrulous singer Jimmy Pursey with Dave Parsons (guitar), Dave Treganna (bass) and Rick Goldstein (drums). The terrace-chant choruses and suburban lyrics of singles like ‘If The Kids Are United’ and ‘Hurry Up Harry’ made Sham 69 popular but attracted a thuggish right-wing element to their gigs, many of which were disrupted by violence. After four albums, Pursey went ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
89 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1976–96, 2002) A legendary punk band, The Banshees did not release their first single, ‘Hong Kong Garden’, until 1978. Vocalist Siouxsie was accompanied by Steve Severin (bass), John McKay (guitar) and Kenny Morris (drums). McKay and Morris left abruptly in 1979 to be replaced by Budgie (ex-Slits) and John McGeoch, formerly of Magazine, whose more sophisticated, nimble-fingered guitar steered the band away from the punk assault of old and ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
91 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1978–83, 1987–present) The Belfast outfit, comprising Jake Burns (guitar, vocals), Henry Clunie (guitar), Ali McMordie (bass) and Brian Falloon (drums) converted to punk on seeing The Clash in 1977. With lyrics by journalist Gordon Oglivie, Fingers’ early material, particularly the debut album Inflammable Material (1979), expressed anger at the troubles in Northern Ireland. Characterized by Burns’ raw-throated vocals, the band split in 1983 and reformed four years later, remaining ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
90 Words Read More

(Vocal group, 1977–79) A London punk band comprising T.V. Smith (guitar, vocals), Gaye Advert (bass), Howard Pickup (guitar) and Laurie Driver (drums), The Adverts’ debut single ‘One Chord Wonders’, an incisive comment on punk, demonstrated Smith’s lyrical skill as did the Top 20 hit ‘Gary Gilmore’s Eyes’. The first album Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts (1978) is an unsung classic, but The Adverts split after the disastrous reception that ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
92 Words Read More

If The Sex Pistols were the face of UK punk, The Clash were the soul. The band was formed in the summer of 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones (born Michael Geoffrey Jones, 26 June 1955) and bassist Paul Simonon (born 15 December 1955) after their proto-punk band, London SS, broke up. They Fought The Law They recruited guitarist Keith Levene and drummer Terry Chimes before luring singer/guitarist Joe Strummer (John Mellors, 1952–2002) ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
823 Words Read More
1 of 4 Pages     Next ›

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.