The Wanderers

The departure of Jimmy Pursey from Sham 69 in 1980 left guitarist Dave Parsons, bassist Dave Tregunna and drummer Ricky Goldstein looking for a new direction. Rather than abandon the group, the three decided to continue working together, bringing in American vocalist Stiv Bators, best known as the frontman of Cleveland punk legends The Dead Boys. Bators had recently moved to England following the release of his first solo album, 'Disconnected' (1980), and his arrival gave the new line-up a different character. 

 
Initially operating under the name The Allies, the quartet eventually became The Wanderers, taking their name from the 1979 film directed by Philip Kaufman. The British music press sometimes referred to them as "Dead 69" or "Sham Boys", reflecting the combination of Bators' American punk background and the musicians' connections with Sham 69. Although the project was originally intended to continue Sham 69 with a different singer, contractual complications prevented them from using that name.

 
Their only album, 'Only Lovers Left Alive', was completed in late 1980 but didn't appear until May 1981, through Polydor Records. Moving beyond the straightforward punk approach associated with their previous bands, the record took the form of a dark concept album built around political paranoia, conspiracy theories and fears of an approaching global catastrophe. Part of its inspiration came from the bizarre recorded speeches of American conspiracy theorist Dr. Peter Beter, whose predictions about secret political plots, international communism and impending world conflict provided the basis for the album's unsettling storyline. Tracks such as "Fanfare For 1984", "A Little Bit Frightening" and "There'll Be No Tomorrow" helped develop its dystopian atmosphere. 

 
Two singles also appeared in 1981: 'Ready To Snap / Beyond The Law', released in March, and a version of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'", backed with "It's A Little Bit Frightening", which followed in June. The group played at London's Lyceum Theatre in March, but commercial expectations weren't met, and plans for a self-financed American tour failed to materialise. 

 
The Wanderers came to an end during 1981, with Dave Parsons' illness contributing to the split. Bators and Tregunna soon teamed up with former The Damned guitarist Brian James, eventually joining forces with drummer Nick Turner to establish The Lords Of The New Church. Their new group brought together elements of punk, gothic rock and glam, becoming a considerably longer-running project. Parsons continued with other musical activities, while Goldstein later became involved with The Bootleg Beatles. 'Only Lovers Left Alive' was eventually reissued on CD by Captain Oi! in 2000.