Leave Me Alone With DIY Punk
Ah! another one of those posts featuring a band that share names, the band The Scabs referred to in this post are the U.K. punk band and not the Belgian rock band formed in the early part of the 80's....
Clubland Records & Track Listing
The Scabs self titled E.P. was released in 1979 on the Independent 'Clubland Records Label'
The track listing for the E.P. is:
- Amory Building
- Leave Me Alone
- Don't Just Sit There
- U.R.E
The record label produced a mixed bag of acts and was the house label of Fair Deal Studios in Middlesex where the recording of this E.P. was done. Acts as diverse as reggae band Misty In Roots, punk band The Ruts and post-punk outfit The Scissor Fits all recorded at the Fair Deal studio back in the day.
Band Line Up & Formation
The Scabs E.P. appears to be a one-off from them. The band were:
- James Young - Vocals
- Patrick Cunningham - Drums
- Steve Pardoe - Bass
- Simon 'Marcus' Grant - Saxophone
- John Salmons - Guitar / Organ
The band were formed whilst at Exeter University and the style they used highlights the brilliance of D.I.Y. Punk at it's very best (evidently the record sleeve was designed by the drummer who had to fold the covers and put the inserts in!). They sadly only output this one release before splitting.
Dazzling D.I.Y.
Fast, with a 'cheap' sounding organ, pumping drums and of course the almost Pete Shelley from The Buzzcocks style sneering vocals, Oh! and of course the whole 'sod-off' attitude. Brilliant record!
They did manage to blag a support slot for a favourite punk band of mine, The Members, so I guess for a bunch of young lads they didn't do too bad really. Here are The Members with their classic 'Sound Of The Suburbs' released in 1979 on the 'Virgin Records' Label, a track I remember coming out way back in the day, so, so long ago back in my early teens...sigh!
The Members first release, the excellent 'Solitary Confinement' describing the joys of being stuck in a bedsit in London after moving from sunny Camberley to escape the parents you don't get on with (a track of lyrical genius!) it was punted out in 1978 on the legendary 'Stiff Records' Label and produced by another legend, Larry Wallis who is mentioned in my other post Vampires Stole My Lunch Money, have a read at the link.
Further Info
For more information on The Scabs including memories from the drummer Patrick Cunningham go to the ever wonderful:
boredteenagers.co.uk
Video Thanks
Photo Thanks
Photo by Chris Buckwald on Unsplash