Back on this day 25 years ago............MONDAY MAY 16th 1977
1977
 DATE INDEX
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
|
 This their debut - a raucous, amphetamine rush of a terrace chant, comprising equal parts glam and punk failed to catapult the quartet to stardom. But it did win the working-class wannabe hooligans from the Wythenshawe estate in Manchester a recording contract with Decca, a residency at the punk mecca, The Roxy, a bit part in Don Lett's documentary on the punk scene, The Punk Rock Movie, and a cult boot-boy following. Having formed during the initial onslaught of punk in 1976, their nucleus Wayne Barrett and Mick Rossi had already written a body of songs while sloping off school, and under the wing of Mick's brother Ray soon landed a series of gigs slotted between the bingo at Labour clubs in the North. Catching the attention of Tosh Ryan, owner of hometown indie label Rabid, they landed a one-off single deal. The result, Cranked Up Really High, was produced by anodier local boy Martin Hannett, later to find fame as Joy Division's producer.
(Lois Wilson MOJO)
 |