Larry Wallis

The guiding fire behind the latter-day Pink Fairies, a founding member of Motörhead, and a house producer during Stiff Records' first flash of maverick brilliance, Larry Wallis is one of the legends of the British rock underground, an astonishing guitarist, and author, too, of one of the classic singles of the punk era, "Police Car." He was one quarter of the Takeaways supergroup (alongside Nick Lowe, Sean Tyla, and Dave Edmunds); he blazed across Mick Farren and the Deviants' seminal 'Screwed Up' EP; and he was single-handedly responsible for proving to the punk rock cognoscenti that long hair (Wallis' reached past his armpits) wasn't necessarily a sign of old-fart redundancy. In an age when Angry Young Man-style guitar was valued above any other musical attribute, Wallis played angrier (and younger) than virtually anyone you can name. 

Wallis' pedigree reaches back to the early '70s, and a roll call of bands that included free-festival favorites the Entire Sioux Nation, former T. Rex percussionist Steve Took's Shagrat, Blodwyn Pig, Lancaster's Bomber, and, briefly, metal heroes UFO, before he joined the Pink Fairies in time for their third (and possibly finest) album, 'Kings of Oblivion'. The band broke up following its release and, in 1975, Wallis reappeared in Motörhead -a move that the guitarist unhesitatingly describes as preordained: "It was just as if the serendipity fairy had arrived, Lemmy had been 'imprisoned in Hawkwind,' and was now flexing his leathern wings.... It just had to be."

 
Together, Wallis and Lemmy alchemized one of the hardest-hitting bands of the entire pre-punk era, and the handful of shows that the group played during this period was nothing short of the absolute revision of all that had taken place before. Certainly their label of the time, UA, was absolutely baffled by the band, sending them into the studio first with Edmunds, then with former beat boom survivor Fritz Fryer, before deciding that nothing the band did was actually marketable. They were dropped from the label and the tapes were buried in a lead-lined box, figuratively if not literally. And they remained there until -surprise, surprise- Motörhead became late-'70s superstars, and suddenly anything with their name attached seemed eminently saleable indeed. 'On Parole', titled for one of Wallis' own compositions, was released in 1978 and has been available ever since.

 
Wallis departed Motörhead around the same time as they were dropped and, through early 1976, he led a revitalized Pink Fairies lineup around the London club scene as it lurched from pub rock to punk. By late summer, the Fairies had signed with Stiff Records and released the single "Between the Lines," the label's second-ever release. They also appeared at the first Mont de Marsen Punk Festival that August, a gathering of the clans that pitched the likes of Nick Lowe, Little Bob Story, and Eddie & the Hot Rods into the middle of rock's latest firestorm. Of them all, the Fairies came out on top, but with a sense of timing that they had long since perfected, the group announced that this moment of absolute triumph was the ideal time to break up. 

Wallis remained with Stiff, recording "Police Car" with Hot Rods bassist Paul Gray and drummer Steve Nicol for release in spring 1977. He also produced the first two singles by the Adverts, including the Top 20 hit "Gary Gilmore's Eyes," and became a star turn on the autumn 1977 Live Stiffs tour of Britain. Billed alongside Ian Dury, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and Wreckless Eric, he took the stage with an all-star band dubbed The Psychedelic Rowdies; the Live Stiffs album includes an absolutely incendiary "Police Car." 

Wallis began work on a solo album in early 1978, recording with Deke Leonard, Big George Webley, and Pete Thomas; unfortunately, record company politics saw the record shelved (it remains unreleased) and Wallis moved on. Further stints alongside Mick Farren were interspersed by gigs with Wayne Kramer and a decade-long songwriting career with Dr. Feelgood. A mid-'80s Pink Fairies reunion was bookended by Wallis' own bands, The Death Commandos of Love and The Redbirds, while Wallis finally released a solo album, 'Death in the Guitarfternoon' in 2001. While Wallis played occasional live gigs, he steered clear of the recording studio, though his back catalog continued to be reworked for his fans. Shagrat's 'Lone Star' album was reissued in 2016, while 'Death in the Guitarfternoon' returned in an expanded edition in 2017. 2017 also saw the release of 'Sound of Speed', a collection of rare and unreleased Wallis tracks. Larry Wallis died on September 19, 2019; he was 70 years old. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

Radio Stars

Following the end of their underachieving glam supergroup Jet in 1976, the Radio Stars were formed by ex-John's Children vocalist Andy Ellison, Sparks exile Martin Gordon (bass, songwriting), and Ian MacLeod (guitar) in 1977. Later adding Steve Perry on drums, the group signed to Chiswick Records and released its debut album, 'Songs for Swinging Lovers', in 1977. On the fringes of both the punk and new wave scene, the Radio Stars were at heart a quirky rock band built around Gordon's songs and Ellison's enthusiastic vocals. Adding Trevor White (who was also in both Sparks and Jet) in 1978 they put out their second, somewhat disappointing record, 'Holiday Album'. Gordon left soon after the record tanked, effectively ending the band, though Ellison attempted to revive the band's name to little success in the '80s. The group's recordings have been anthologized twice, first on 1982's 'Two Minutes Mr. Smith' by the tiny Moonlight label, then on 1992's 'Somewhere There's a Place for Us' by Ace. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

Riff Raff

A poppy punk band that formed in London, England in 1975, Riff Raff didn't gain much attention until they relocated to Peterborough during the first half of 1978. Thanks to constant gigging around the area, the group became rather popular, culminating in a support slot at a gig with The Stranglers. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Billy Bragg, bassist Ruan O'Lochlainn (ex-Bees Make Honey), guitarist Philipp Wigg, drummer Robert Handley, and keyboardist S.D.R. Gol'fish, Riff Raff debuted in June of 1978 on Chiswick with the 'I Wanna Be a Cosmonaut' single. The follow-up single, 'Barking Park Lane', followed on Albion in 1979. In October of 1980, the band issued four singles on their own label (Geezer) on the same day -'New Home Town', 'Kitten', 'Every Girl', and 'Little Girls Know'. The band splintered soon after that. Bragg spent a little time in the Army, literally bought his way out, and began doing one-man shows under the name Spy V. Spy; eventually performing and recording under his own name, Bragg spearheaded the anti-folk movement and became a prolific and influential singer/songwriter. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

Notsensibles

The Notsensibles were one of those brilliantly oddball bands that came out of the late ’70s UK punk explosion, but far away from the usual London spotlight. They formed in Burnley, Lancashire in 1978, right when punk was spreading across the country and inspiring kids everywhere to pick up instruments and just go for it. Like a lot of regional bands, they had that raw DIY energy, but what really set them apart was their sense of humour -they never took themselves too seriously, and that became a huge part of their identity. 

 
While many punk bands of the time leaned heavily into anger and politics, Notsensibles went in a different direction. Their music was still fast and scrappy, but it came wrapped in satire, absurdity, and a kind of playful stupidity that felt intentional rather than careless. They were known for doing “silly gigs” and making “silly records,” which, in the context of punk’s often intense atmosphere, made them stand out in a really refreshing way. 

 
Their best-known release is probably “I’m in Love with Margaret Thatcher,” a track that perfectly captures their tongue-in-cheek style. It wasn’t a straightforward political statement so much as a provocation -funny, confusing, and just a bit cheeky. The song did surprisingly well on the UK Indie Chart and has stuck around as a cult classic ever since. Before that, they’d already made a splash with “Death to Disco,” which tapped into the punk vs. disco tension of the era, again with their trademark wink. 

 
In 1980 they released their only album, 'Instant Classic', which pretty much sums up their attitude right there in the title. It pulled together their mix of fast punk, oddball lyrics, and irreverent charm, and while it didn’t make them huge stars, it cemented their place in the underground scene. 

 
Like a lot of bands from that first wave of punk, their initial run didn’t last that long. By March 1982, they’d called it a day. Still, their influence and reputation didn’t disappear. Over the years, they’ve built up a loyal cult following, and they’ve popped back up for reunions here and there, proving that their mix of humour and punk still connects. 

 

Rudi

Rudi were one of the very first punk bands to come out of Belfast, forming back in 1975 -right at the moment when punk was starting to explode across the UK. They’re often credited as the band that kicked off the Belfast punk scene, and even though they never became huge commercially, their influence runs deep in Northern Irish music history. 

The band started out like a lot of others at the time, playing glam rock and rock ’n’ roll covers before punk came along and changed everything. Once they caught that wave, they quickly developed a sound that stood out from the pack. Instead of going full-on aggressive or political, Rudi leaned into something more melodic -fast, catchy songs with strong hooks and a bit of a power-pop feel. It gave them a slightly different edge compared to some of their tougher contemporaries. 

What really made Rudi special, though, was the environment they were playing in. Belfast in the late ’70s was deep in the middle of the Troubles, and most aspects of life were divided along sectarian lines. Punk gigs -Rudi’s included- became rare spaces where young people from both sides could come together. That alone made the band more than just a musical act; they were part of something bigger culturally.

 
Their 1978 single “Big Time” is a big deal historically, often considered the first proper punk release from Northern Ireland. It came out on the Good Vibrations label, which itself became legendary, and that moment helped cement Rudi’s place at the heart of the local scene. They followed it up with releases like the 'I Spy' EP and a handful of other singles, all keeping that same punchy, melodic energy. 

Live, they had a reputation for being loud, fast, and full of attitude -everything you’d want from an early punk band. They weren’t afraid to stir things up either, with songs that reflected the tension of the time. That rawness helped build their following, even if it didn’t translate into mainstream success.

In the end, Rudi are one of those bands people love to call “underrated.” They never quite broke through in the way some of their peers did, but they were absolutely crucial in shaping the Belfast punk scene. If you’re digging into the roots of UK or Irish punk, they’re one of those names you can’t really skip. 

The Wasps

The Wasps emerged as part of Britain's 1977 punk wave alongside bands like The Cortinas, Drones, and Suburban Studs. In their early days, the quartet issued two singles -"Teenage Treats" and "Can't Wait 'Til '78"- and appeared on numerous compilations. After signing with the majors in 1979, they released "Rubber Cars" before abruptly splitting up. Revived in 2019, the re-formed band penned a full-length album, 2021's 'Punk Prayer'. 

Formed in East London in February 1976, the original Wasps lineup included guitarist Gary Wellman, vocalist Jesse Lynn-Dean, drummer John Rich, and bassist Steve Wollaston, who hailed from the capital city's less glamorous borough of Walthamstow. However, they were teenage regulars at the Roxy and were inspired enough by the scene to get their own band together. Fourplay Records issued The Wasps' debut effort in November 1977; "She Made Magic"/"Teenage Treats" is generally rated as a classic one-off single of the era. The Wasps next appeared on December 1977's 'Live at the Vortex' compilation, which followed similar affairs taped at the Roxy and CBGB's. The group contributed a breathless original, "Can't Wait 'Til '78," and a suitably jittery romp through the Velvet Underground's "Waiting for My Man," which became an obligatory cover. (Eater, Slaughter & the Dogs, and the U.K. Subs quickly followed with their own versions.) 

Soon thereafter, The Wasps recruited new management and a fresh look, signing with RCA in February 1979 and issuing the single "Rubber Cars"/"This Time." By then, only Wellman and Lynn-Dean remained from the 1977 era, while lead guitarist Neil Fitch, drummer Tiam Grant, and bassist David Owen completed the lineup. Despite it being one of RCA's fastest-selling singles the week of release, the band split up due to managerial disputes.

 
Bootleggers filled the gaps until Overground's long-awaited 'Punkryonics' reissue appeared in the summer of 2003. After another extended hiatus, Lynn-Dean revived The Wasps name in late 2019. Now based in Spain, she wrote a new album, 'Punk Prayer', which was released that December. 

 

Slaughter And The Dogs

Formed during the initial onslaught of U.K. punk in 1976, Manchester's Slaughter & the Dogs were the first group to release a single (the overlooked classic "Cranked Up Really High") on trailblazing hometown independent label Rabid Records. Clearly influenced by the more raucous end of glam rock -the band's name was drawn from the albums 'Slaughter on 10th Avenue' by Mick Ronson and 'Diamond Dogs' by David Bowie- the group's lineup consisted of vocalist Wayne Barrett, guitarist Mick Rossi, bassist Howard Bates, and drummer Mad Muffet.

 
Gigs at the noted London punk mecca the Roxy Club led to the band's inclusion in filmmaker Don Letts' documentary of that scene, "The Punk Rock Movie", and they eventually received a contract from Decca Records. Further top-notch singles followed in "Where Have All the Bootboys Gone" and "You're Ready Now," and they recorded their debut album, 'Do It Dog Style', in 1978. However, disagreements with Decca and the departure of vocalist Barrett, a key to the group's sound, combined to sabotage a promising career. Guitarist Billy Duffy was added, and future Smiths leader Morrissey was briefly considered as a vocalist before the group decided to continue with Rossi singing. This arrangement lasted only briefly, though, and Rossi, Bates, and Duffy re-christened themselves, first as Slaughter and then as the Studio Sweethearts. After this unit's breakup in the summer of 1979, there was a Slaughter reunion late in the year with Barrett making a token appearance before being replaced by former Nosebleeds singer Ed Banger (born Eddie Garrity). This aggregation released the album 'Bite Back' (under the name Slaughter) in 1980 to no avail and broke up permanently in 1981. 

Duffy went on to co-found Theatre of Hate and later found success in The Cult. In 1991, Wayne Barrett and Mick Rossi began writing songs together again, and the two cut an album called 'Shocking', credited to Slaughter & the Dogs. In 1996, Barrett and Rossi assembled a new edition of Slaughter & the Dogs to perform at Blackpool's vintage punk festival Holidays in the Sun, with Nigel Mead on bass and Noel Kay on drums. (Their set was later released on the album 'Cranked Up Really High in Blackpool 1996'.) Jean Pierre Thollet would later replace Mead on bass, and the group would record a studio album in 2001, 'Beware Of…' In 2016, the original lineup of Slaughter & the Dogs reunited for a brief tour, while Barrett and Rossi announced they were at work on a new studio album. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

The Drones

The Drones were a British punk band, specifically from Manchester, comprised of guitarist Gus "Gangrene" Callendar, bassist Steve "Whisper" Cundall, vocalist/guitarist M.J. Drone (Mike Howells), and drummer Peter "Perfect" Howells. They began as an R&B-influenced pub band named Rockslide but made the transition to punk after its first waves struck. Having gigged in their first incarnation since early 1975, the band made the change of name and style after acquiring Howells in October of 1976. Local popularity of The Drones rivaled that of the Buzzcocks, but outside of Manchester was another story entirely -as an example, unappreciative XTC fans at a Roxy show in Covent's Garden took to rioting during their opening set. The Drones set up the O.H.M.S. label to release the six-song 7" 'Temptations of a White Collar Worker' in July of 1977; the EP was produced by Manchester scenester, future NME scribe, Art of Noise member, and author Paul Morley, who managed the band for a brief period. The group landed on the Valer Records label for their second release, the rather successful 'Bone Idol' single, which was issued only a couple months after their debut. The LP 'Further Temptations' was released in November, containing both sides of 'Bone Idol' and re-recorded versions of two songs from their first 7". Morley had acrimoniously extracted himself from the group just in time to review the record; much of the shared venom had to do with Morley's support of the group's competition, including a young band called Stiff Kittens -the band that would later become Joy Division. After their first LP, The Drones signed with Island offshoot Fabulous. The sessions were never completed and the band split in 1979. A couple decades later, they reunited for 2000's 'Sorted', released on Captain Oi! [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

The Killjoys

Birmingham, England-based punk band The Killjoys grew out of the artsier Lucy & the Lovers, achieving notoriety for the feisty 1977 single 'Johnny Won't Get to Heaven', released on Raw Records. Featuring Kevin Rowland and Heather Tonge on vocals, drummer Joe 45, bassist Gem, and guitarist Mark Phillips, the band's lone release earned the enthusiastic support of influential radio DJ John Peel, who had the band down to the BBC studios for two Peel Sessions. The band split before recording another single; Rowland went on to form the popular Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Gem banged some head in Girlschool. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

Menace

Rarely considered among the first-generation punk bands, Menace was nevertheless there or thereabouts from very early on, forming in late 1976 and becoming a regular feature on the live circuit throughout early 1977. Preempting Sham 69's identification with the skinhead clan, Menace lined up as Morgan Webster (vocals), Steve Tannett (guitar), Charley Casey (bass), and Noel Martin (drums) and quickly developed a serious no-nonsense approach, effortlessly encapsulated by their debut single, "Screwed Up," released on Miles Copeland's IRS label in August 1977. A second 45, "I Need Nuthin'," was recorded with John Cale at the helm, but was scrapped when the band moved to the Small Wonder label.

 
"G.L.C." in 1978, and two further singles in 1979, the 'Final Vinyl' EP and "Last Year's Youth," wrapped up Menace's career -ironically at a time when the burgeoning Oi! culture was beginning to latch onto them. It would be close to 20 years before Casey and Martin relaunched as The Collection, with vocalist John Lacey and guitarist Andrew Teedie. The band performed all new material, bar the classic "G.L.C."; it was the response to that song, from audiences who didn't actually recognize the bandmembers, that convinced them that Menace might be worth relaunching. The group played its official comeback at Holidays in the Sun in 1997. 

A pair of new Menace EPs, "Society Still Insane" and "C&A," appeared in 2000; 'Live in Bermondsey' and a new studio set, 'Crisis', followed. Their second album, 'Rogues Gallery', featuring new vocalist Oddy and guitarist Uncle Albert, was released in 2004. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]