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.