Whistling In The Dark 🎵

Well as it is that time of year again and Easter is upon us🐣. I thought I would try to find a band with a reasonably apt name, so what you are getting is... Easterhouse, another 80's band with strong political views drawing inspiration from The Revolutionary Communist Party, Bob Marley to Irish Politics (nothing too deep and serious then!😁). It kind of follows on from my previous post relating to left wing bands 'The Redskins - Lean On Me' and as I mentioned Easterhouse in that post I thought I'd better get down to writing something up about them and what they stood for.

Band & Formation

They were formed in Stretford, Manchester in the early part of the 1980's and were named after the Easterhouse area of Glasgow (not perhaps the most affluent place north of the border) and an area that suffered more than most during the pandemic, you can get the detail at 'Glasgow Live' website. The band on the other hand were most definitely known for their leftist leanings and strong political stance. They were:

• Andy Perry - Vocals, Harmonica
• Ivor Perry - Guitar
• Peter Vanden - Bass
• Gary Rostock - Drums
• Michael Murray - Rhythm Guitar

Whistling In The Dark

Inspiration

Track Listing on 'Inspiration'

• Inspiration
• Easter Rising
• Nineteen Sixty Nine
• Johnny I hardly knew you

Bobby Sands was caught in an I.R.A. operation in Northern Ireland in 1976 in which they held customers and staff of a Furniture Shop at gunpoint, they then marched them to a basement and then set up bombs in the shop's showroom. The men were apprehended in the attempt and several shot and wounded, Sands who was subsequently caught during an escape was sentenced to serve 14 years.

I think the problem lies in the fact that he died in a hunger strike wanting 'Special Category Status' to which the British Government did nothing useful to stop the prisoners, although it is a hard call to be judgemental about any of 'The Troubles' (I think there were rights and wrongs from both sides of the fence)  it is much more of a pity that the successive Governments of the day didn't try to at least attempt to forge better negotiations and discussions in an attempt to stop the terrorist acts in the day and to stop the hunger striking as well.

I guess 'inspiration' to me at least means he lived and died for his strong and passionate political beliefs. Reading more about him you can get why he had an 'axe to grind' after him and family enduring increasing sectarian harassment during the late1960's and early 1970's. Just to get some stuff in context growing up in England in the '70's, it wasn't exactly a peaceful place, London especially in the 1970's was a 'hot target' for bombing, the list at the link shows just how many bombings, injuries and deaths occurred during that period and into the 1980's/90's 'Terrorist Incidents In London'.

Other Work & Smith's Links

The band appear to cut nine 7" singles/E.P.'s and just a couple of albums and they appeared also to call time in 1989, reforming for a 'one off gig' in 2005 featuring Andy Rourke from The Smiths on bass. Their links with The Smiths seem to have occurred a few times, the band evidently supported them at Dingwalls in London in '83 and when Johnny Marr eventually left The Smiths Ivor Perry was considered as his replacement.

Finally catch their 'signature' track called '1969' with video directed by film maker Derek Jarman (responsible for directing the dystopian cult film 'Jubilee' released in 1978) at the youtube link. The track and lyrics taking a swipe at the Labour Party for supporting the sending of troops into Northern Ireland back in the day.

As I say, a band very passionate about their beliefs, some of which I would find hard to agree with whereas some views I guess I can understand. As said before regardless of their views the music does the talking.

So, finishing this post up and like a stale hot cross bun offering you another Easter related article at this site on the link 'Easter, Set Me Free Alt Rock Style'.

Wishing you all a pleasant and relaxing Easter Break and catch you all again sometime soon😉

Information & Picture Sources

For more information on the band go to, with lyrics and descriptions of their songs at this wonderful link: londoncelticpunks.wordpress.com.