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.