LONDON+ALIENS+PRETTY VACANT DJS/50 YEARS OF PUNK SPECIAL@BLACK PRINCE
Schedule
Sat, 15 Aug, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The Black Prince | Northampton, EN
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LONDON live original 1976 punk..London is a four piece punk band formed in London in 1976. The original line-up was Riff Regan (vocals), Steve Voice (bass/vocals), Jon Moss (drums) and Dave Wight (guitar). Jon Moss had briefly been the drummer in The Clash before leaving to form London.
In 1977 they recorded two singles, a 4 track EP and an album 'Animal Games' for MCA Records. Most of their songs were written by Riff Regan (including the first two singles 'Everyone's a Winner' and 'Summer of Love') or by Riff Regan and Steve Voice. All their records were produced by Simon Napier-Bell (who was also their manager) at the IBC Studios in London.
They toured extensively throughout 1977, including a major UK tour with The Stranglers (the Rattus Norvegicus tour.) Their final gig was at the Marquee Club in Wardour Street on the 8th December 1977. The band broke up shortly afterwards and MCA released their album 'Animal Games' in early 1978.
Following the split, Jon Moss first joined The Damned and then formed Culture Club with Boy George. Riff Regan released solo records on MCA and Epic before becoming a comedy writer under his real name of Miles Tredinnick; Steve Voice formed a new band The Original Vampires and Dave Wight following stints in Metro and Holly and the Italians reverted to his real name of Colin Wight and became an academic (recently appointed Professor of International Relations at Sydney University). Simon Napier-Bell went on to manage George Michael and Wham! before becoming a best selling author.
+ALIENS local original 1976 punk..
Like actual extra-terrestrials, original ‘76/’77 punks THE ALIENS visited us briefly, departing shortly thereafter, and left little physical evidence of their existence. More sightings were made around the time of the “Have Guitars Will Travel” book launch, with reports coming in as far afield as Europe. Apparently, The Aliens were from Wellingborough (which makes them aliens, of sorts) and their love of retro sci-fi and rowdy punk made them firm favourites on the local scene. Their reformation seems to be a permanent thing, and their long overdue album (like 45 years overdue!) finally arrives in the shape of “NOTHING MUCH TO LOSE”.
It seems that the 7” single was the perfect format for punk; it’s time constraints were tailor made for those blitzkrieg songs, and it eerily foreshadowed the short timespan of the original scene, and when those first wave bands graduated to long players it rarely worked out well (aside from the Clash’s debut and Wire’s “Pink Flag”). I mean, even Yes fans would struggle with the triple album “Sandinista!” (yawn) and let’s face it, the Buzzcocks’ best album was the collection of A’s and B’s, “Going Steady”. What about “Never Mind The Bollocks…”? I hear you scream. Yeah, but would it be considered a classic without the Holidays/Queen/Anarchy/Vacant axis? And don’t you dare try to tell me you’d choose “Parallel Lines” over “The Best Of Blondie”. You wouldn’t. The Aliens circumnavigate this quandary by producing an album that plays like a collection of singles (even though it isn’t) and this means you can either dip in and out, or stick around for the whole thing (and I strongly recommend the latter). The ten tracks clock in at a cool 33 minutes (33rpm?) meaning the band don’t overstay their welcome, it’s like Joey Ramone once said: “You’ve got to hit people, then get the hell out!”.
Things get off to the very best start with ‘Status Anxiety’, as the twin guitar attack of Cadge and Chief interweaves like their hiatus never happened. As with the very best punk rock, it’s something of a call-to-arms (even though the lyrics speak of “cups of tea”), the rhythm section marches with military muster and the vocals are barked with (anti)authority. It’s a strong opener, and one that spikes your interest of what’s to come. ‘Collateral Damage’ will be familiar to anyone who has seen the band live recently, it’s a highlight of their set, and it serves a similar function here. It comes infused with melody, and features the band’s trademark discordant, but catchy, guitars and is sure to turn any rainy Sunday into a sparkling Saturday night. PULSE MAGAZINE
doors 8pm..advance tickets £10/door £15
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Northampton/The-Black-Prince/London--The-Aliens/42263787
PRETTY VACANT DJS TIL 1AM
PUNK NEW WAVE SPECIAL
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Where is it happening?
The Black Prince, Northampton, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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