Play Dead was an early entry into what was becoming known as post punk and even gothic, with a much more rhythmic sound along the lines of what The Southern Death Cult and UK Decay were starting to develop. Initially a punk band, they quickly found their direction and released many singles (beginning on Fresh Records along with The Dark and UK Decay) and three albums in their relatively short existence. After they disbanded in 1986, founding members Rob Hickson and Pete Waddleton, guitarist Steve Green, were joined by Mich Ebeling of Look Back In Anger and formed Mankind’s Audio Development aka M.A.D.
Related: Oxford, UK, 1980, Punk, Gothic, The Dark,The Southern Death Cult, UK Decay, Rob Hickson, Pete Waddleton, Steve Green, Mich Ebeling, Look Back In Anger, Mankind’s Audio Development, M.A.D.
Location: Islington, London, England, UK Active: 1978-1982
Formed in London in 1978, The Dark alongside The Damned stood out as capable of more melodic and dynamic sounds, though they never achieved wide success or recognition. Despite never focusing on a particularly gothic sound as their name might imply, their single ‘The Masque’ is a cornerstone on any gothic punk compilation. Like many of their peers in the movement at the time, they highlighted political and social topics, but more directly and succinctly than style over substance bands that achieved more attention.
The majority of their music was put out on the label Fresh Records, who brought out some of the earliest UK Decay, Play Dead, and Second Layer records, some more experimental bands like Cuddly Toys and Family Fodder, not to forget about more punk fare like The Wall, Menace, and the fantastic Punk and Disorderly. Their final record was a 1982 live recording of what was to be their final gig, though their actual last gig was at the Klub Foot in August with The Lurkers.
The initial lineup consisted of John Flannagan, Billy O’Neil, Jim Kane and Phil Langham (later Action Pact and staff at Cherry Red Records), soon joined by Andy Riff. Other members over their career would include Jim Bryson and Razzle (both formerly of Demon Preacher, with Nik Wade aka Nik Fiend in Demon Preacher – the band that would become Alien Sex Fiend). Razzle would end up with Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks until his tragic death in 1984.
Related: UK Decay, The Damned, Alien Sex Fiend, Hanoi Rocks, Play Dead, Demon Preacher, Second Layer, Cuddly Toys, Family Fodder, The Wall, Menace, London, UK, 1978, Action Pact, Anagram Records, Cherry Red Records, Fresh Records, Punk and Disorderly
Sexbeat arose out of London’s Batcave club, where Hamish McDonald (guitar, vocals) was one of the core DJs. They are remembered for their self titled song on the ‘Batcave: Young Limbs And Numb Hymns’ compilation. Initial reception to the song led to a record with ABC Records but the resulting ‘Pump/Sweat’ 12″ lost the essence of the band in production – an all too common occurrence as the 80s music climate began to shift. Though they managed some high profile gigs in England and the USA (CBGBs, Danceteria), after a tour with The Cramps, they ceased activity. A posthumous 7” single of ‘Sexbeat’ was released in 2024.
Related: Batcave, Young Limbs And Numb Hymns, CBGBs, London, Hamish McDonald, The Cramps
Antiworld formed in Portland in 1995, one of the few bands in the punk scene that actively incorporated gothic and horror elements into their aesthetic in a way that 45 Grave, early Damned and TSOL did, laying the groundwork for a deathrock revival in the 2000s, ushering in new waves of gothic bands with a punk approach and vice versa.
One of the very early bands to hit the metal music genres was New York’s Plasmatics, fronted by the legendary Wendy O. Williams. Taking the bombastic stage antics of Kiss and Alice Cooper and the no limits attitude, over-the-top speed and aggression of punk, The Plasmatics were a phenomenon all their own.
Related: Metal, New York, Plasmatics, Wendy O. Williams, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Punk
Founded by Ron Hexe, formerly of long running Massachusetts punk legends The Freeze, he took his sound in a darker direction with several bands in the 1980s and 90s. Ghoul Squad, Eleventh Hour, 34 Vampires, among other projects and solo recordings were the fiendish, dark horror punk results.
T.S.O.L. in reverse; one of the monikers for the unofficial TSOL reunions in the 1990s featuring the original lineup of Jack Grisham, Todd Barnes, Ron Emory and Michael Roche, as opposed to the “official” TSOL fronted by Joe Wood, which no longer had any relation to the original band. By 1999 Jack Grisham and the original members reclaimed the legal rights to the TSOL name and resumed the band officially.
Related:T.S.O.L., Jack Grisham, Todd Barnes, Ron Emory, Michael Roche, Joe Wood
