Dead Kennedys debut!

On this date in 1978, Dead Kennedys made their live debut. It was at Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco, California.


Dead Kennedys, left to right:
Bruce Slesinger, Jello Biafra, Klaus Fluoride and East Bay Ray

Wikipedia: Dead Kennedys

Official Website: deadkennedys.com

Video: Dead Kennedys - california Uber Alles - live - 1979 - youtube

Blogload: Dead Kennedys - Demos - 1978 - live-bootleg.blogspot.com

The Records - Starry Eyes

On this date in 1978, The Records released their debut single, "Starry Eyes". It was backed by "Paint Her Face". The A side appeared on their debut album, Shades In Bed, though it was re-recorded for the album. The B side was a non-LP track. When the album was re-released on CD, both single sides were added as bonuses. The single reached the #56 spot on the U.S. singles chart. The London power pop band broke up in 1982. Singer John Wicks tried to recapture the magic under the name John Wicks and The Records and they have released a few albums.



Wikipedia: The Records

Official Website: therecords.com

Video: The Records - Starry Eyes - live - 1979 - youtube

Blogload: The Records - Shades In Bed - cdlandia2.blogspot.com

Public Image Limited debuts

On this date in 1978, Public Image Ltd made their live debut. It was at the Rainbow Theatre in London.


Public Image Limited (1978): Jim Walker, Keith Levine,
Jah Wobble and John Lydon

Wikipedia: Public Image Ltd

A Fansite: fodderstompf.com

Blogload: Public Image Ltd - Live at the Rainbow Theatre - 12/25/78 - and more - weathercade.blogspot.com

Jilted John - True Love Stories

On this date in 1978, Jilted John released his only album, True Love Stories. It contained the singles, "Jilted John" (#4 U.K.), "The Birthday Kiss" and "True Love". Jilted John's real name was Graham Fellows. The Manchester, England actor, comedian and sometimes musician also performed later under the name Graham Fellows.



Wikipedia: Graham Fellows

Blogload: Jilted John - True Love Stories - commercialzone.blogspot.com

The Rezillos - Destination Venus

On this date in 1978, The Rezillos released their fourth single, "Destination Venus". It was backed by "Mystery Action". Both tracks appeared on their second album, Mission Accomplished...But The Beat Goes On, but in live form. Both tracks in studio form were included on a later retrospective called Can't Stand The Rezillos: The (Almost) Complete Rezillos. The single reached the #43 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The Edinburgh, Scotland punk/new wave band disbanded in 1978. Eugene Reynolds and Faye Fife re-formed under the name The Revillos (due to contractual obligations, they could not use the name "Rezillos"). Jo Callis and Simon Templar formed Shake. Not long afterwards, Jo Callis would join The Human League. The Rezillos have re-formed since.



Wikipedia: The Rezillos

Official Website: rezillos.com

Video: The Rezillos - Destination Venus - on Top Of The Pops - 1978 - youtube

Blogload: The Rezillos - Can't Stand The Rezillos - The (Almost) Complete Rezillos - and more -commercialzone.blogspot.com

The Dickies - Give It Back

On this date in 1978, The Dickies released their third single, "Give It Back". The B side was "You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)" (which had already been released as a B side before). Both tracks appeared on their debut album, The Incredible Shrinking Dickies. The Los Angeles punk band is still performing.



Wikipedia: The Dickies

Official Website: thedickies.com

Blogload: The Incredible Shrinking Dickies - forestroxx.blogspot.com

The Clash - Give 'Em Enough Rope

On this date in 1978, The Clash released their second album, Give 'Em Enough Rope. It included the singles, "Tommy Gun" (#19 U.K.) and "English Civil War" (#25 U.K.). The album reached the #2 spot on the U.K. albums chart. It was their first album released in the U.S. Their debut would be released in the U.S. in 1979. The London punk band disbanded in 1986. Mick Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite. Joe Strummer was involved in many projects until his death in 2002.



Also on this date, The Clash released their seventh single, "Tommy Gun". It was backed by "1-2 Crush On You". The A side was on their second album. The B side was a non-LP track. The single reached the #19 spot on the U.K. singles chart.



Wikipedia: The Clash

Official Website: theclashonline.com

Video: The Clash - Tommy Gun - live - 1978 - youtube

Blogload: The Clash - Give 'Em Enough Rope - noxmp3.blogspot.com

999 - Homicide

On this date in 1978, 999 released their sixth single, "Homicide". It was backed by "Soldier". The A side appeared on their second album, Separates. The B side was a non-LP track that was added as a bonus track on a CD re-release. The single reached the #40 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The London punk band originally broke up in 1982 but, after a few years off, re-formed. They are still active and still fronted by Nick Cash. The London punk band originally broke up in 1982 but, after a few years off, re-formed. They are still active and still fronted by Nick Cash.



Wikipedia: 999

Official Website: nineninenine.net

Video: 999 - Homicide - from Urgh! A Music War - youtube

Blogload: 999 - Separates - personalitycrisis-jura.blogspot.com

The Jam - Down In The Tubestation At Midnight

On this date in 1978, The Jam released their sixth U.K. single, "Down In The Tube Station At Midnight". The B sides were "So Sad About Us" and "The Night". The A side appeared on their third album, All Mod Cons. The B sides were non-LP tracks but were added on as bonus tracks when the deluxe edition of the album was released on CD. The single reached the #15 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The Woking, England punk/mod revivalist band have not played together since disbanding in 1982 though Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler have toured together as The Jam since. Paul Weller is the holdout.



Wikipedia: The Jam

Official Website: thejamfan.net

Video: The Jam - Down In The Tubestation At Midnight - on Top Of The Pops - 1978 - youtube

Blogload: The Jam - All Mod Cons - futureisunwrittenmusic.blogspot.com

Patrik Fitzgerald - The Paranoid Ward

On this date in 1978, Patrik Fitzgerald released his third EP, The Paranoid Ward. It was a nine song effort. The EP was released in both 7 and 12 inch form. Patrik Fitzgerald, who once auditioned to be in London SS (the pre-Clash band that featured future Clash members, Mick Jones and Terry Chimes, future Damned guitarist Brian James and future Chelsea, Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik member Tony James) was a London punk poet whose poetry was usually accompanied by his acoustic guitar. He enlisted musicians to assist as necessary.



Wikipedia: Patrik Fitzgerald

Myspace: myspace.com/patrikfitzgerald

Blogload: Patrik Fitzgerald - The Paranoid Ward - rocketremnants.blogspot.com

Lene Lovich - Stateless

On this date in 1978, Lene Lovich released her debut album, Stateless. It contained the singles, "Lucky Number" (#3 U.K.), "Say When" and "I Think We're Alone Now" #35 U.K.). The album reached the #35 spot on the U.K. albums chart. The new wave singer was born in Detroit, Michigan but relocated to England as a child. She still performs occasionally.



Wikipedia: Lene Lovich

A Fansite: lenelovich.com

Blogload: Lene Lovich - Stateless - oskurahermandad.blogspot.com

The Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric

On this date in 1977, Wreckless Eric released his second album, The Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric. It contained the singles, "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" and "Take The Cash". The Stiff Records new wave/power pop artist from Sussex, England still makes music and tours occasionally.



Wikipedia: Wreckless Eric

Official Website: wrecklesseric.com

Blogload: The Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric - cueburn.blogspot.com

XTC - Go 2

On this date in 1978, XTC released their second album, Go 2. The U.K. version of the album did not produce any singles but the U.S. version included "Are You Receiving Me?". The album reached the #21 spot on the U.K. albums chart. The Swindon, England post punk/new wave band called it quits in 2006 when Colin Moulding expressed a desire to call it quits. Andy Partridge didn't feel that it would be XTC without the both of them.



Wikipedia: XTC

Official Website: xtcidearecords.co.uk

Blogload: XTC - Go 2 - stupidd.blogspot.com

Johnny Thunders - So Alone

On this date in 1978, Johnny Thunders released his first solo album, So Alone. It included the single, "(You Can't Put Your Arms Around A) Memory". Johnny Thunders was, of course, in The New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers before this solo effort. He had an all-star lineup of musicians helping him with this album including Steve Jones and Paul Cook of Sex Pistols, Peter Perrett of The Only Ones, Walter Lure and Billy Rath of The Heartbreakers and Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders.



Wikipedia: Johnny Thunders

Blogload: Johnny Thunders - So Alone - abc-afterglow.blogspot.com

Sham 69 - Hurry Up Harry

On this date in 1978, Sham 69 released their fifth single, "Hurry Up Harry". It was backed by "No Entry". The A side appeared on their second album, That's Life. The B side was not but was included as a bonus when the album was re-released on CD. The single reached the #10 spot on the U.K. singles chart. The Hersham, England punk band disbanded in 1980 but re-formed in the late 80's and has been on and off ever since.



Wikipedia: Sham 69

Official Website: sham69.com

Video: Sham 69 - Hurry Up Harry - on Top Of The Pops - 1978 - youtube

Blogload: Sham 69 - That's Life - plan-9fromouterspace.blogspot.com

Jah Wobble - Dreadlock Don't Deal In Wedlock

On this date in 1978, Jah Wobble released his debut single, "Dreadlock Don't Deal In Wedlock". It was backed by "Pthilius Pubus". It was a 12-inch single. Neither track appeared on an album though the A side was added to his debut album, The Legend Lives on...Jah Wobble In Betrayal when re-released on CD. The London bass player was still a member of Public Image Limited at the time of this release. He left PIL in 1980. He continues to release music.



Wikipedia: Jah Wobble

Official Website: 30hertzrecords.com

Not "Dreadlock Don't Deal In Wedlock" but...the original version of his debut album"
Blogload: Jah Wobble - The Legend Lives on...Jah Wobble In Betrayal - radicalriffage.blogspot.com

Ultravox - Quiet Men

On this date in 1978, Ultravox released their seventh single, "Quiet Men". It was backed by "Cross Fade". The A side appeared on their third album, Systems Of Romance. The B side was a non-LP track that was later added as a bonus on a CD re-release. This was their last album with John Foxx as their singer. John left the band and Midge Ure was recruited to take his place. The London post punk/new wave band lasted until 1987. They re-formed in name in 1992, though without much resemblance to their classic lineups, released two albums and shut it down in 1996. They have performed again recently.



Wikipedia: Ultravox

Unofficial Website: ultravox.org.uk

Video: Ultravox - Quiet Men - live - 1978 - youtube

Blogload: Ultravox - Systems Of Romance - littleknowntreasures.blogspot.com

Spizzoil - 6,000 Crazy

On this date in 1978, Spizzoil released their debut single, "6,000 Crazy". It was backed by "1989" and "Fibre". None of the tracks appeared on an album. In fact, they did not release an album until 1980's Do A Runner and that was under the band name of Athletico Spizz 80. They were, during their career, known as various names, including Spizzoil, Spizzenergi, Athletico Spizz 80, The Spizzles and Spizzenergi:2. The Birmingham, England punk/new wave band effectively disbanded in 1982 but has gotten together occasionally since and released a holiday single in 1994 (under the name Spizzmas).



Wikipedia: Spizzenergi

Official Website: spizzenergi.com

Blogload: Spizzoil - 6,000 Crazy - 7 inch (all three tracks) - and more - pukekos.org

The Dead Boys - Tell Me

On this date in 1978, The Dead Boys released their second single, "Tell Me". It was backed by demo versions of "Not Anymore" and "Ain't Nothin' To Do", both of which had different versions on their debut album, Young, Loud And Snotty. The A side appeared on their second album, We Have Come For Your Children. The punk band, who originated in Cleveland and rose from the ashes of Rocket From The Tombs, made a name for themselves in New York and were signed after several appearances at CBGB's. They disbanded in 1979 after two albums but reunited to record a live album a few months later before saying goodbye again. A few years after the band broke up, lead singer Stiv Bators launched The Lords Of The New Church.



Wikipedia: The Dead Boys

Blogload: The Dead Boys - We Have Come For Your Children - abc-afterglow.blogspot.com

The Nips - All The Time In The World

On this date in 1978, The Nips released their second single, "All The Time In The World". It was backed by "Private Eyes". They had been called The Nipple Erectors originally but radio wouldn't touch the name so they shortened it. The London punk band released four singles before disbanding in 1980. They were led by Shane McGowan (later, of The Pogues) though he was known as Shane O'Hooligan at the time. They have played some reunion gigs recently.



Wikipedia: Nipple Erectors

A Fansite: pages.cs.wisc.edu/~mroman

Blogload: The Nips - Bops, Babes, Booze & Bovver - taringa.net