UK DECAY
NIGHTS FOR CELEBRATION
UK DK
Pity the poor Goths who never saw UK Decay, or experienced the kind of days which may never come again, where, with a fully functioning music media, Goth started and grew effectively in the UK because small amounts of coverage were enough to get a hard working band sufficient exposure to spread their name throughout the country. If their records were any good they could be playing to thousands within months. Word-of-mouth was like a plague back then. Bands who ventured abroad spread their reputation further, and assumed a larger form onstage, as confidence inflated their imagination. While nobody was bigger than Adam & The Ants in the underground channels, UK Decay were one of the biggest bands behind them. If they had mainly concentrated on the UK they would eventually have got onto a bigger label, as they were quite capable of headlining the largest venues.
That’s the nostalgia over with, as we start a New Year, knowing full well the possibilities/limitations our bands face these days, but I started that way because someone raised an interesting point with me recently, asking who was the most important band – Bauhaus or UK Decay? The answer was the latter, in every way imaginable. Bauhaus were simply an excellent band who had the music but needed to wait to discover an image, then went their own way. UK Decay had the sound, didn’t give a toss about image, and had the Punk ethos, so they helped bands along the way, understanding the communal aspect. (Prime beneficiary of their support, for instance, was Sex Gang Children, but many benefited.) UK decay were cool, as well as responsible.
You know, there never was a more tumultuous band as UK Decay in full flight either. This CD finds them at a time when Eddie Branch’s bass and Steve Harle’s drums together would blow away any Goth band on the planet today, and with Spon’s guitar guile, their style was like an angry fountain. Songs which grew and developed in ugly, violent environments (they hardly ever had time to rehearse!), these are also celebratory items, which the crowd love. ‘Unwind’ twists handily into the exuberantly scummy ‘Werewolf’, and ‘Dresden’ is on fire (oops!), while ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Barbarians’ are dollops of ratty noise, the latter made skittishly acceptable by Harle’s flashing finesse. ‘Sexual’ still shivers in a masterful way, with a grizzly bass/drum rope ladder across which Abbo plunges and bucks, as guitar arrows fly in all directions, and ‘Stagestruck’ is a slinky bass-boosted bastard, with a hearty, howling punch.
‘Rising From The Dread’ is a lolloping spree of rusty sparks, ‘Twist In The Tale’ cavorts with wordy jousting and ‘Unexpected Guest’ has one of the greatest bass openings ever, out of which the rest crawl into a punishing roaring, semi-commercial style, where the macabre intensity festers beautifully. ‘Testament’ is as mesmerising now as it was then, with gaseous guitar drifting over rhythmic barbed wire, on which Abbo is caught, roaring happily. Then they flip backwards and give us the early ‘Black Cat’, charming by comparison, before they pound to a finish in Hammersmith with the brittle ‘UK Decay’, a Pistolian ‘For My Country’ and another ‘Unwind.’ The bonus tracks included then come from St. Albans, four months earlier. These are more faded in quality but include a blunt ‘Duel’, frantic ‘Jerusalem’, jerking ‘Mayday Malady’ and a rumbling ‘Stagestruck.’
UK Decay split up far too soon, when Abbo went off to form the thunderously dull Furyo, and with no CD reissues, due to difficulties between the band and Southern Studios agreeing on what to do, their reputation has dwindled disappointingly. Many people just don’t appreciate the essential part they played in Goth’s birth, or how fantastic they sound. Now Spon has at least got everyone to agree this can come out maybe things will change and their roles as Dark Midwives will be recognised, as well as the quality of their songs. I have no idea as to what difference the re-mastering’ element makes, but the Klub Foot material is superb, while still not as exciting as they could be! Other releases should soon follow, including their sole ‘For Madmen Only’ album.
The single most important band in the initial Goth phase, these are your spiritual forefathers and, for once, respect is due.
http://www.ukdecay.co.uk
(This limited edition version is only available to registered members of this site. Go into the forums for details. No set date has reached my ears for a normal release. I’ll let you know when I hear.)
NIGHTS FOR CELEBRATION
UK DK
Pity the poor Goths who never saw UK Decay, or experienced the kind of days which may never come again, where, with a fully functioning music media, Goth started and grew effectively in the UK because small amounts of coverage were enough to get a hard working band sufficient exposure to spread their name throughout the country. If their records were any good they could be playing to thousands within months. Word-of-mouth was like a plague back then. Bands who ventured abroad spread their reputation further, and assumed a larger form onstage, as confidence inflated their imagination. While nobody was bigger than Adam & The Ants in the underground channels, UK Decay were one of the biggest bands behind them. If they had mainly concentrated on the UK they would eventually have got onto a bigger label, as they were quite capable of headlining the largest venues.That’s the nostalgia over with, as we start a New Year, knowing full well the possibilities/limitations our bands face these days, but I started that way because someone raised an interesting point with me recently, asking who was the most important band – Bauhaus or UK Decay? The answer was the latter, in every way imaginable. Bauhaus were simply an excellent band who had the music but needed to wait to discover an image, then went their own way. UK Decay had the sound, didn’t give a toss about image, and had the Punk ethos, so they helped bands along the way, understanding the communal aspect. (Prime beneficiary of their support, for instance, was Sex Gang Children, but many benefited.) UK decay were cool, as well as responsible.
You know, there never was a more tumultuous band as UK Decay in full flight either. This CD finds them at a time when Eddie Branch’s bass and Steve Harle’s drums together would blow away any Goth band on the planet today, and with Spon’s guitar guile, their style was like an angry fountain. Songs which grew and developed in ugly, violent environments (they hardly ever had time to rehearse!), these are also celebratory items, which the crowd love. ‘Unwind’ twists handily into the exuberantly scummy ‘Werewolf’, and ‘Dresden’ is on fire (oops!), while ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Barbarians’ are dollops of ratty noise, the latter made skittishly acceptable by Harle’s flashing finesse. ‘Sexual’ still shivers in a masterful way, with a grizzly bass/drum rope ladder across which Abbo plunges and bucks, as guitar arrows fly in all directions, and ‘Stagestruck’ is a slinky bass-boosted bastard, with a hearty, howling punch.
‘Rising From The Dread’ is a lolloping spree of rusty sparks, ‘Twist In The Tale’ cavorts with wordy jousting and ‘Unexpected Guest’ has one of the greatest bass openings ever, out of which the rest crawl into a punishing roaring, semi-commercial style, where the macabre intensity festers beautifully. ‘Testament’ is as mesmerising now as it was then, with gaseous guitar drifting over rhythmic barbed wire, on which Abbo is caught, roaring happily. Then they flip backwards and give us the early ‘Black Cat’, charming by comparison, before they pound to a finish in Hammersmith with the brittle ‘UK Decay’, a Pistolian ‘For My Country’ and another ‘Unwind.’ The bonus tracks included then come from St. Albans, four months earlier. These are more faded in quality but include a blunt ‘Duel’, frantic ‘Jerusalem’, jerking ‘Mayday Malady’ and a rumbling ‘Stagestruck.’UK Decay split up far too soon, when Abbo went off to form the thunderously dull Furyo, and with no CD reissues, due to difficulties between the band and Southern Studios agreeing on what to do, their reputation has dwindled disappointingly. Many people just don’t appreciate the essential part they played in Goth’s birth, or how fantastic they sound. Now Spon has at least got everyone to agree this can come out maybe things will change and their roles as Dark Midwives will be recognised, as well as the quality of their songs. I have no idea as to what difference the re-mastering’ element makes, but the Klub Foot material is superb, while still not as exciting as they could be! Other releases should soon follow, including their sole ‘For Madmen Only’ album.
The single most important band in the initial Goth phase, these are your spiritual forefathers and, for once, respect is due.
http://www.ukdecay.co.uk
(This limited edition version is only available to registered members of this site. Go into the forums for details. No set date has reached my ears for a normal release. I’ll let you know when I hear.)
Mick Mercers Review 2nd Jan. 2005
http://www.mickmercer.com
Purchase Details below
Presented by UK Decay Communities
Sunday, December 12, 2004
UK Decay Exclusive CD members release
Available Now!
UK Decay CD Available
The CD's are now shipping. Available to registered member's of this website forum. or
'sign-in' Here...return to this page....then click 'Here' for purchase details....Register now.
Special Members Numbered Edition
NOW AVAILABLE!
Only 50 left!
The first official release from the original 'Goth' pioneers
UK Decay
'Nights for Celebration'
A unique collectors item
£10.00 plus postage/packaging
"This album-length cassette catches their very last performance
at the Klub Foot where they promised, “it may be sad, but the best
is yet to come.”The whole gig’s here and apart from the disorientating
effect that onstage echo has on my tape recorder, it’s a pristine
sound. Nice clear vocals, deep twangy bass, striking drumming and
flowery, expressive guitar; the Decay hallmarks."
Melody Maker 1983
"
"Once upon a time there was a band called UK Decay, and if it wasn't for them most of you young Gothlings would have nothing to listen to. It really is that simple, because they bridged the Punk to Goth era in a helpful, motivating, inspirational manner. For more than twenty years their records have been collectors items among people of taste, but nothing has been re-released on CD. This changes next year, but for now, for anyone registered on http://www.ukdecay.co.uk there is a chance to get a limited edition re-release of 'Night For Celebration', the recording of their final gig at the Clarendon Ballroom. Just thought you might like to know."
Mick Mercer December 2004
Presented by UK Decay Communities
UK Decay CD Available
The CD's are now shipping. Available to registered member's of this website forum. or
'sign-in' Here...return to this page....then click 'Here' for purchase details....Register now.
Special Members Numbered Edition
NOW AVAILABLE!
Only 50 left!
The first official release from the original 'Goth' pioneers
UK Decay
'Nights for Celebration'
A unique collectors item
£10.00 plus postage/packaging
"This album-length cassette catches their very last performance
at the Klub Foot where they promised, “it may be sad, but the best
is yet to come.”The whole gig’s here and apart from the disorientating
effect that onstage echo has on my tape recorder, it’s a pristine
sound. Nice clear vocals, deep twangy bass, striking drumming and
flowery, expressive guitar; the Decay hallmarks."
Melody Maker 1983
"
"Once upon a time there was a band called UK Decay, and if it wasn't for them most of you young Gothlings would have nothing to listen to. It really is that simple, because they bridged the Punk to Goth era in a helpful, motivating, inspirational manner. For more than twenty years their records have been collectors items among people of taste, but nothing has been re-released on CD. This changes next year, but for now, for anyone registered on http://www.ukdecay.co.uk there is a chance to get a limited edition re-release of 'Night For Celebration', the recording of their final gig at the Clarendon Ballroom. Just thought you might like to know."
Mick Mercer December 2004
Presented by UK Decay Communities
Monday, September 27, 2004
Friday, August 27, 2004
Furyo home
Furyo home
FURYO: a Background
by Paulrabjohn
FURYO;
"Cavalcade to Obscurity ?"
Like naughty little teases, Abbo, Steve and Eddie sneaked out a couple of low profile releases on compilation albums during the first half of 1983. These turned out to be a useful appetiser for what was to come, even though few probably realised it at the time. Both featured an anonymous guitarist called Patrick who disappeared before Furyo hit the boards, unaccredited and unloved. First came the track “Slave Drive” on Dave Roberts’ “The Whip” album, a near-instrumental featuring a barrage of Steve’s drums and some very aggressive acoustic swooping on guitar. I recall John Peel playing this and it sounded great on the radio, keeping elements of the DK sound yet moving into fresh territory. I wanted more…..
Presented by UK Decay Communities
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Punk life in Dunstable
First
I went to some classic gigs in Dunstable including seeing The Stranglers at the Cali, an absolute corker. I cant remember what year but it was towards the end of the Cali era. Near the end of the set the stage got invaded by a mass off fans, you could not see any of the band. The bouncers were totally overun, yet the Stranglers carried on with endless encores regardless.
This was around the time of Rattus Norvegicus and their set included the whole album, brilliant. Still rate it in the top ten of all gigs i have been to.
Also saw endless bands throughout the seventies and eighties at the Queensway Hall ( and even played there myself once I think) Including Hawkwind's Space Rituall gig, they liked the Queensway, it reminded them of a giant cosmic egg., Thin Lizzy ( shock horror) and loads of other bands, but the gig that stands out is that of The Sex Pistols.
It was unlikely that the Pistols should play dunstable especially at the height of their notoriaty in 1976-7??
There was an audiance of about 80 or no more than a hundred and like myself at the time, probablly felt embarassed at being there, as at that time in Luton and Dunstable it was really uncool , to be into Punk.
Glen Matlock was still on bass and Johnny Rotten Lydon of course on vocals. I had never heard anything like the sound of the Pistols, they were very anarchic and didnt give a dam about any of the musical rules
Neither could they give a dam about their dress sense
At the end of the gig, J.R. just sat on the Drum riser, with his kind of strange look of indifference, watching all the punters leave. On the way out lodsa punters were lets say being very critical about the gig, well, a few months later it would be a totally differant story.
But this gig turned my head, made me realise the folly of the old way.
The funny thing is.I dont remember a darned thing about The Jam, who supported the pistols.
read more
Pesented by UK Decay communities
I went to some classic gigs in Dunstable including seeing The Stranglers at the Cali, an absolute corker. I cant remember what year but it was towards the end of the Cali era. Near the end of the set the stage got invaded by a mass off fans, you could not see any of the band. The bouncers were totally overun, yet the Stranglers carried on with endless encores regardless.
This was around the time of Rattus Norvegicus and their set included the whole album, brilliant. Still rate it in the top ten of all gigs i have been to.
Also saw endless bands throughout the seventies and eighties at the Queensway Hall ( and even played there myself once I think) Including Hawkwind's Space Rituall gig, they liked the Queensway, it reminded them of a giant cosmic egg., Thin Lizzy ( shock horror) and loads of other bands, but the gig that stands out is that of The Sex Pistols.
It was unlikely that the Pistols should play dunstable especially at the height of their notoriaty in 1976-7??
There was an audiance of about 80 or no more than a hundred and like myself at the time, probablly felt embarassed at being there, as at that time in Luton and Dunstable it was really uncool , to be into Punk.
Glen Matlock was still on bass and Johnny Rotten Lydon of course on vocals. I had never heard anything like the sound of the Pistols, they were very anarchic and didnt give a dam about any of the musical rules
Neither could they give a dam about their dress sense
At the end of the gig, J.R. just sat on the Drum riser, with his kind of strange look of indifference, watching all the punters leave. On the way out lodsa punters were lets say being very critical about the gig, well, a few months later it would be a totally differant story.
But this gig turned my head, made me realise the folly of the old way.
The funny thing is.I dont remember a darned thing about The Jam, who supported the pistols.
read more
Pesented by UK Decay communities
Thursday, August 05, 2004
UK Decay :: View topic - What is Gothic?
UK Decay :: View topic - What is Gothic?
When I was a kid I was taught that it was the visigoths that had sacked Rome. The Romans had called them 'barbarians' and primitive, but in fact the 'barbarians' who inhabited central eastern Europe, prevailed over the mighty roman empire that had ruled the world for hundreds of years. For the Romans the visigoths were their Armageddon!
Later i pictured Goth as being those tall cathederals with flying buttresses and gargoiles that were built all over Europe in the dark ages by the knights templars and the Benedictine monks. These were temples to the light for the illuminated which gave birth to freemasonry! For others in the dark ages, the dark ages were dark! with plagues, famines, fires, inquisitions, fuedal barons, warfare, brutality and rampant exploitation of religion, human life was cheap, all the nightmare's that were later recorded in the imaginations and prophesies of Nostradamus and heronimus Bosch! this summed up gothic in my picture.
Then came the eighteenth century and the classic horror stories such as Frankenstein, Dracular and all the spinoffs. Often stories that wove folklore and mythology into the themes. This led on to Edgar Allen Poe with the classic dark motives ie the black cat. Then there was H.P.Lovecraft with perhaps the ultimate use of imaganitive gothscapes in his writings.
I think that goth is definitely in league with dark as it is known in the contemporary drum and bass culture today. Similar atmospheres are created with a combination of dark and evil vocalisation samples and dark sounds which is currently seen as being cool on the streets! At least here in the uk......
read more...
When I was a kid I was taught that it was the visigoths that had sacked Rome. The Romans had called them 'barbarians' and primitive, but in fact the 'barbarians' who inhabited central eastern Europe, prevailed over the mighty roman empire that had ruled the world for hundreds of years. For the Romans the visigoths were their Armageddon!
Later i pictured Goth as being those tall cathederals with flying buttresses and gargoiles that were built all over Europe in the dark ages by the knights templars and the Benedictine monks. These were temples to the light for the illuminated which gave birth to freemasonry! For others in the dark ages, the dark ages were dark! with plagues, famines, fires, inquisitions, fuedal barons, warfare, brutality and rampant exploitation of religion, human life was cheap, all the nightmare's that were later recorded in the imaginations and prophesies of Nostradamus and heronimus Bosch! this summed up gothic in my picture.
Then came the eighteenth century and the classic horror stories such as Frankenstein, Dracular and all the spinoffs. Often stories that wove folklore and mythology into the themes. This led on to Edgar Allen Poe with the classic dark motives ie the black cat. Then there was H.P.Lovecraft with perhaps the ultimate use of imaganitive gothscapes in his writings.
I think that goth is definitely in league with dark as it is known in the contemporary drum and bass culture today. Similar atmospheres are created with a combination of dark and evil vocalisation samples and dark sounds which is currently seen as being cool on the streets! At least here in the uk......
read more...
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
UK/DK the Movie
UK/DK the Movie
Well not excactly but yes, check out the web, there is a movie available called 'UK DK'. A Punk movie that came out in the Mid-Eighties. Understanding that 'UK decay' often shortened their names to 'UK DK' or people often found it easier to abreviate it to ' UK DK'
The movie makers must have been inspired to name their movie after the band, however their is no footage or music by the band in this movie!. Have they just nicked the bands name?
Anyway here is a picture of the soundtrack CD to the movie
Anyone out there seen this movie???
Well not excactly but yes, check out the web, there is a movie available called 'UK DK'. A Punk movie that came out in the Mid-Eighties. Understanding that 'UK decay' often shortened their names to 'UK DK' or people often found it easier to abreviate it to ' UK DK'
The movie makers must have been inspired to name their movie after the band, however their is no footage or music by the band in this movie!. Have they just nicked the bands name?
Anyway here is a picture of the soundtrack CD to the movie
Anyone out there seen this movie???
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
UK Decay Communities Freinds Forum
UK Decay Communities Freinds Forum
Where are the 'Tribe' now?
Luton bands 1 2 3
The
Switch club! Does anybody Remmember? 1 2
Nervous Surgeons
'Pneumania'
190 Wellington Street 1 2
Club for Heroes
Where are the 'LU7 Punks' now?
Grapevine Crew Where are you?
Karma Sutra
THe Statics?? 1 2
'The Chronic Outbursts'
The Well
Paul goodwin,s still here
Luton Punk family tree
get Together
pokers punk rock'n'roll
'The Friction' 1 2
Luton Town FC
Does this face ring a bell? 1 2
Rattlesnakes, anyone? 1 2
'The Trashers'
gaynor
turkish delight
First US tour - Seattle
'24 Colours' 1 2
Plastic Records audition nights
Stingray club
'The Clips'
The Rubber Box, 50 club
Gigs in Luton
'Click Click' ('Those nervous Surgeons')
Where are the 'Tribe' now?
Luton bands 1 2 3
The
Switch club! Does anybody Remmember? 1 2
Nervous Surgeons
'Pneumania'
190 Wellington Street 1 2
Club for Heroes
Where are the 'LU7 Punks' now?
Grapevine Crew Where are you?
Karma Sutra
THe Statics?? 1 2
'The Chronic Outbursts'
The Well
Paul goodwin,s still here
Luton Punk family tree
get Together
pokers punk rock'n'roll
'The Friction' 1 2
Luton Town FC
Does this face ring a bell? 1 2
Rattlesnakes, anyone? 1 2
'The Trashers'
gaynor
turkish delight
First US tour - Seattle
'24 Colours' 1 2
Plastic Records audition nights
Stingray club
'The Clips'
The Rubber Box, 50 club
Gigs in Luton
'Click Click' ('Those nervous Surgeons')
Monday, July 26, 2004
Welcome to the the UK Decay Blogspot
The primary aim of this Blogspot is to accompany the online 'UK Decay' Communities website
with additional thoughts provided by chairman Werewolf
Welcome to the Home of UK Decay!
We are currently compliling scanning and editing scores of Flyers, Posters, Photos, Press reviews, fanzine reviews and other memorobilia. that we will soon be publishing on the website.
There is in addition a full discography of all the bands releases with a little background on each. There will also be UK Decay chronology detailing the various band members and 'crew' as well as a detailed history!
There will be a special tribute to ex founding band member 'Steve Harle'
( Drummer ) who sadly passed away in India in 1995
There are also Forum's where visiting 'users' can leave their 'calling cards' or register to receive the latest news or perhaps to communicate with 'band members', friends or 'fans'. If you were present at any of UK Decays concerts ( you know who you are! ) you may want to share memories with people you havnt seen in years, this is the place.
UK Decay online recomended for those with 'HI-Band' ( DSL, ADSL, etc) 'Flash' player required.
UK Decay online LO recomended for 'LO-Band' (Dial-up) users.
We do hope you will enjoy your visits there and please 'Bookmark', 'Favourite' this page
and check back from time to time for further developements.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)