FEATURES
Metal Urbain Full History
Eric Debris talks
Formed in Paris in 1976, Metal Urbain were punk’s great outsiders, swapping bass and drums for synths and a drum machine, and singing in French. Ignored at home but embraced in England, they released three classic singles on three labels before singer Claude Panik left in 1978. Their influence endures.
Paris band Stinky Toys, fronted by Elli Medeiros and Jacno, were France’s first new wave act signed to a major label. After a panned 100 Club appearance and Elli vomiting over EMI’s boss, they released one single, two albums, then split in 1979. Elli and Jacno later found synth-pop success.
Reviews
“If you want loyalty, get a dog.” Cockney Rejects frontman Jeff “Stinky” Turner tells it all in I Love Being Me: the good, the bad and the West Ham. Brutally honest, packed with brilliant Ralph Steadman-style illustrations, and a reminder of how badly the music business treats bands. Rated 3/5
The reviewer finds Mark Sloper’s 50 Years of Punk unconvincing: its aim and audience are unclear, archive footage is rather thin, and interviews are dominated by first-wave names with no ordinary fans or second wave. Punk’s supposed core values, he argues, don’t hold up. Rated two 1/2 stars out of five.
My Life As The Plasmatics Drummer – Stu Deutsch
Stu Deutsch’s memoir of drumming for the Plasmatics only partly fills the gap in coverage of Wendy O. Williams and the band Focused on his own backing role, it covers producer Rod Swenson, the band’s finances and second jobs, but offers little on Wendy herself. Rated 3/5.
Newies
The utterly brilliant Lambrini Girls with Spilt another taste from the new album No Refunds.
Derik & The Disasters – Punk77 Review *****
A surprise gem: Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Del Greening, Vicky Smith and Charlie’s grandson Marley Perez jammed their way into a brilliant album. Great songwriting, hooks and Charlie’s unmistakable growl, with earworms like Scars and The Takeover. No covers, no filler. Rated 5/5 Read Review
Gloria Mundi – 10 Page maxi History
This criminally overlooked band were described by Ultravox’s John Foxx as “… the first Goths…The first London band with a synth. They were Germanic noise-electro before PIL or Joy Division, Goth before Siouxsie, New Wave before New Wave.” and John Robb as “…one of the great lost bands of the scene – visual imagery and songs of isolation, sexuality and aggression”
For the first time read their full history featuring interviews with multiple members. Read it here!
