April 22, 2022

Cursed, 13th Chime Goth Rock

Early Days, Antix & Formation.

Another post with a mixed bag of music styles, Goth Rock, Punk and Psychobilly, and all based around this band...

Originally formed in Suffolk in the early 1980's, and started out with the name The Antix, this single 'Cursed' with the B Side being 'Dug Up' was not originally on a label when it was released in 1982.

This track has thunderous drums and a throbbing bass line, thrash sounding guitar in the chorus and vocals that are so non-American sounding it is quite astonishing! All round good record I really like it, dark, mean and moody just how I like it! They must have been brilliant to see live.

The members of the band are:

- Gary O'Connor (guitar)
- Mick Hand (vocals)
- Ricky Cook (drums)
- Terry Taylor aka Crow (bass)

Releases

They did release several other singles one called 'Cuts Of Love' on an Independent Label called 'Ellie Jay Records', which was a London based record label active between 1976-1982 and the other single the band released called 'Fire' in 1982, again not on a label.

They did plenty of gigging and supported fellow Suffolk band 'The Adicts' as well as bands such as 'Spear Of Destiny' and 'The Meteors'. They also managed some airplay on BBC Radio 1 courtesy of John Peel. Visit the brilliant site Noise For Zeros for more information and a wonderful catalogue of music from 1980's to current.

13th Chime reformed again in 2015 for an interview with them go to:

daily.bandcamp.com

Following the re-form they released the album 'Noir' on their own 'Chime' Label in 2016, and further release in 2018 called 'Part Time Punks Session'.

The Adicts

As mentioned above, 13th Chime supported a fellow Suffolk act. Check The Adicts Live in 1983 with their song 'Who Spilt My Beer'...

From Ipswich in Suffolk, The Adicts originated as Afterbirth & the Pinz in late 1975 but fortunately changed their name! they are mostly known for their distinctive 'A Clockwork Orange Droog Image'.

The band debuted with the 1979 EP Lunch with the Adicts.

They released their debut album, 'Songs of Praise' in 1981 on their own 'Dwed Wecords' label , funded by the band's then manager Geordie Davison. In 1982, the album was re-released on Indie label 'Fallout Records', who also issued their first single 'Viva La Revolution', it became one of the band's most iconic songs. Another personal favourite of mine is 'Easy Way Out'.

They are:

- Keith 'Monkey' Warren - (vocals)
- Pete 'Pete Dee' Davison - (guitar)
- Michael 'Kid Dee' Davison - (drums)
- Kiki Kabel - (bass since 2017)
- Highko Strom - (guitar since 2017)

Catch The Adicts web site for more information tour dates, merchandise etc.

Psychobilly Sounds With The Meteors

And, finally just for that whole 'live spirit' thing try The Meteors, another band 13th Chime supported live with 'Rockabilly Psychosis'...

Catch another of their tracks only this time at a bit of a slower pace called 'Sick Things' below

Hailing from South London they formed in 1980 with the original name of 'The Clapham South Escalators' and evidently one of the first bands to fuse punk and rockabilly thus developing the whole 'Psychobilly' sub-genre! Their fans known as 'Crazies' also inventing a new dance craze of 'Slam Dancing' a.k.a. 'going Mental/Moshing' often also known as 'Wrecking' (I guess hence the album 'The Wrecking Crew'). I remember it well from nights out at the 'Pink Toothbrush' Alt Night Club (probably still have the scars and bruises!).

They released their first single as 'The Clapham South Escalators' called 'Leave Me Alone', link by the wonderful CharlieSpliff@youtube, on independent London label 'Upright Records' the label also released tracks by bands such as 'The Higsons' which featured Charlie Higson who would later go on to T.V. comedy with 'The Fast Show'.

They are:

Paul P Fenech - Guitar/Vocals
Nigel Lewis - Double/Electric Bass/Vocals
Mark Robertson - Drums

Still going with many a line up change over the years with Hendrik Corleone on bass and Wolfgang Hordemann on drums, the only long serving member of the band is Paul Fenech.