Chelsea (band)

Last updated

Chelsea
Chelsea3.jpg
Chelsea in 2006
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Punk rock
Years active1976–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Website chelseapunkband.com

Chelsea are an English punk rock band which formed in 1976. [1] Three of the four original band members went on to found Generation X.

Contents

More than two decades after its release, the band's debut single, "Right to Work", was included in the Mojo list of the best punk rock singles of all time. [2]

History

Formation (1976)

The original line-up of the band was assembled in late 1976 by John Krivine and Steph Raynor, the owners of Acme Attractions, a fashion boutique shop in King's Road in Chelsea, London, comprising vocalist Gene October, guitarist William Broad (later and better known as Billy Idol), bassist Tony James and drummer John Towe; James and Towe had previously been in London SS. Raynor went on to establish the 'Boy' fashion label that became an icon of post punk British youth culture. After three support gigs playing cover versions of other bands' songs, Idol and James departed in November 1976, taking Towe with them, to form Generation X. [3]

Early singles and Chelsea (1977–1979)

October then recruited Carey Fortune (drums), Martin Stacy (guitar) and Bob Jessie (bass), with the last two soon replaced by Henry Daze (Henry Badowski) and James Stevenson.

Chelsea's first single, "Right to Work", was released in June 1977 by Step-Forward Records. [4] Recorded by the October/Fortune/Daze/Stevenson line-up of the band, [5] it was their most popular song, and also appeared on the soundtrack album (issued in 1978 by Polydor) to the 1977 Derek Jarman film Jubilee (which October had appeared in). [6]

Simon Cade Williams, aka Simon Vitesse, joined the band as bassist in 1977 for a UK tour and the band's second single, "High Rise Living". This rapid turnover of band members was characteristic throughout Chelsea's existence, with October the only constant presence. [7]

Chelsea in 1979 Chelsea-band.jpg
Chelsea in 1979

On 25 August 1978 the band released another single, "Urban Kids", which was co-written by October and Alternative TV [1] and produced by ex-Who manager Kit Lambert. [8]

After spending 1977–78 touring in the UK and overseas, they released their first album, Chelsea , in 1979.

A singles compilation, Alternative Hits , was released in 1980; it was also issued in the U.S. by I.R.S. Records, retitled No Escape. In 1980 Stevenson left to join Generation X

New line-ups, Evacuate and later albums (1982–present)

Nic Austin onstage in 2015 Nic Austin of Chelsea onstage 2015.jpg
Nic Austin onstage in 2015

After a split, October put together a new line-up, including guitarist Nic Austin, which recorded the critically acclaimed second album Evacuate (1982). [9]

October sporadically released albums with various Chelsea line-ups throughout the 1980s, including Original Sinners, Rocks Off and Underwraps' in which the band were joined by Clash drummer Nicky 'Topper' Headon on a cover of The Clash's song "Somebody Got Murdered" '. [10]

In the early 1990s, a line-up featuring the returning Austin and new bassist Mat Sargent released The Alternative (1993) and Traitors Gate (1994) albums. In 1999, the line-up from the first album, including Stevenson, reformed for the Social Chaos Tour across North America. A live album, Metallic F.O.: Live at CBGB's (released 2002), was recorded at CBGB in New York City during this tour. Augmented by Buzzcocks bassist Tony Barber, the band released Faster, Cheaper and Better Looking in 2005. [11]

Austin and Sargent returned in 2011, and this line-up released the album Saturday Night Sunday Morning in 2015. The Mission Impossible album followed in 2017 with Stevenson guesting on both albums. Both albums were recorded at Panther Studios in Surrey and produced by Dick Crippen of Tenpole Tudor, King Kurt and The Weird Things. [12]

May 2021 saw the release of Chelsea’s 12th studio album Meanwhile Gardens on Westworld Records. The long-standing line up of October, Austin and Sargent was joined by drummer Steve Grainger and featured guest performances from past band members Martin Stacey, James Stevenson, Bob Jesse and Rob Miller. The album was recorded at Panther Studios in between the 2020 COVID lockdowns with Dick Crippen producing. [13]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alternative TV</span>

Alternative TV are an English band formed in London in 1977. Author Steve Taylor writes: "Alternative TV pioneered reggae rhythms in punk and then moved on to redefine the musical rules".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dead Boys</span> American punk rock band

The Dead Boys are an American punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. The band was among the first wave of punk, and regarded by many as one of the rowdiest and most violent groups of the era. They were formed by vocalist Stiv Bators, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Zero, bassist Jeff Magnum, lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome, and drummer Johnny Blitz in 1975, with the later two having splintered from the band Rocket From The Tombs. The original Dead Boys released two studio albums, Young Loud and Snotty, and We Have Come for Your Children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sham 69</span> English punk rock band

Sham 69 are an English punk rock band that formed in Hersham in Surrey in 1975. They changed their musical direction after seeing the Sex Pistols play live in early 1976. They were one of the most successful punk bands in the United Kingdom, achieving five top 20 singles, including "If the Kids Are United" and "Hurry Up Harry". The group's popularity saw them perform on the BBC’s Top of the Pops, and they appeared in the rockumentary film, D.O.A.. The original unit broke up in 1979, with frontman Jimmy Pursey moving on to pursue a solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stiv Bators</span> American singer and guitarist (1949–1990)

Steven John Bator, known professionally as Stiv Bator and later as Stiv Bators, was an American punk rock vocalist and guitarist from Girard, Ohio. He is best remembered for his bands Dead Boys and The Lords of the New Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slaughter & the Dogs</span> English punk rock band

Slaughter and the Dogs are an English punk rock band formed in 1975 in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Their original line-up consisted of singer Wayne Barrett McGrath, rhythm guitar Mick Rossi, drummer Brian "Mad Muffet" Grantham, lead guitarist Mike Day and bassist Howard Bates.

Angelic Upstarts are an English punk rock / Oi! band formed in South Shields in 1977. AllMusic calls them "one of the period's most politically charged and thought-provoking groups". The band espouse an anti-fascist and socialist working class philosophy, and have been associated with the punk and skinhead subcultures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne County & the Electric Chairs</span> Punk band

Wayne County & the Electric Chairs was a rock band that was part of the first wave of punk bands from the 1970s. The band was headed by Georgia-born singer Jayne County and became known for their campy, foul-mouthed ballads, glam punk inspired songs and image which was heavily influenced by Jackie Curtis and the Theatre of the Ridiculous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illegal Records</span> British record label

Illegal Records was an independent record label, founded in 1977 by Miles Copeland III with his younger brother Stewart Copeland and the manager of The Police, Paul Mulligan. The label released The Police's debut single, "Fall Out".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Generation X (band)</span> English punk rock band

Generation X were an English punk rock band, formed in London in 1976. They were the musical starting point of the career of their frontman Billy Idol, and issued six singles that made the UK Singles Chart and two albums that reached the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony James (musician)</span> English pop musician and record producer

Anthony Eric James is an English pop musician and record producer, who was the bassist for the 1970s–1980s bands Generation X, Sigue Sigue Sputnik and the Sisters of Mercy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theatre of Hate</span> British post-punk band

Theatre of Hate are a British post-punk band formed in London, England, in 1980.

Blitz were an English punk rock band from New Mills, Derbyshire, formed in 1980 which recorded several singles, EPs and albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Business (band)</span> English punk band

The Business were an English punk band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London, England. The band lasted for four decades until their frontman Micky Fitz died from cancer in December 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Stevenson (musician)</span> British guitarist

James Stevenson is an English punk/alternative rock guitarist, at one time a member of the Alarm, Gene Loves Jezebel, Gen X, the Cult, Holy Holy, the International Swingers and Chelsea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene October</span> British singer and songwriter

Gene October is a British singer and songwriter who was a formative figure in London's punk rock movement in the late 1970s, fronting the band Chelsea.

Captain Oi! Records is a punk rock and Oi! record label based in High Wycombe, England. The company has released over 300 albums by many notable punk and Oi! bands of the late 1970s and 1980s. The label was set up by Mark Brennan, former bassist of The Business, who had previously co-run Link Records and the Dojo subsidiary of Castle Records. Brennan's inspiration had been Ace Records, with Captain Oi! targeted at being "the Ace Records of retro punk rock", reissuing material by classic punk bands.

<i>Alternative Hits</i> 1980 compilation album by Chelsea

Alternative Hits is an album by British punk rock band Chelsea. Since all the album's tracks had been previously released as singles except "Come On". Alternative Hits is regarded as a compilation album. Songs include a version of the Seeds' "No Escape", and "Urban Kids", which was co-written by Chelsea frontman Gene October and Alternative TV.

<i>Evacuate</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Chelsea

Evacuate is the second studio album released by British punk rock band Chelsea. Originally released in 1982 by Step Forward Records, it was reissued in 2008 by Captain Oi! Records.

Henry Badowski is a British multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer, who was a member of several punk rock bands in the 1970s before embarking on a solo career.

Major Accident is a punk band from the North East of England.

References

  1. 1 2 "Chelsea - Chelsea - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  2. Mojo (October 2001) – 100 Punk Scorchers , Issue 95, London;
  3. "Generation X Exclusive Interview With Tony James". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  4. "Chelsea (2) - Right To Work". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  5. "Chelsea - Right To Work". 45cat.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  6. "The Chelsea Punk Band Home". Chelseapunkband.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  7. "TrouserPress.com :: Chelsea". Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  8. "Chelsea - Discography". Punkygibbon.co.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  9. "Evacuate - Chelsea - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  10. "Chelsea - Album Discography". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  11. "Faster, Cheaper & Better Looking - Chelsea - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  12. "PUNK LEGENDS CHELSEA RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM: 'MISSION IMPOSSIBLE'". Westworldrecordings.co.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)