| It
was way back in 1978, in Northern Ireland, that the DEFECTS first
picked up guitars, playing covers of punk classics to their mates. The
original line-up consisting of Buck(vocals), Dukie(guitar),
Glenn(drums) and Geoff(bass). By 1980 Geoff had been replaced
by Gary and with leathers, studs & bristles intact,
the band were ready for their assault on the music biz. The band recorded the obligatory demo tape, but the response from English records companies was zero. Enter Dennis MILLIGAN, a friend of the band who offered to split the cost of releasing an EP with the boys. So with money borrowed from Bucks mum(amongst others), they set up their own Casualty Records label and their debut 45 "Dance Till You drop" hit the streets in 1981, quickly selling out of its 2000 pressing. Before the band even had the chance to think about repressing copies of the debut 7" or even releasing a follow up, in stepped John Curd, promoter and owner of the newly formed WXYZ Records. John had been pointed in the right direction by Melody Makers punk journalist Carol Clerk, herself a native of N.Ireland. John signed the DEFECTS on the strenght of Carols recommandation, without ever seeing them play. The DEFECTS then ventured across the water to support label mates the ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE on their legendary 'So What Tour' in '82. The happened to coincide with the release of the bands 2nd single "Survival". A second UK tour with the METEORS soon followed and the band also played numerous gigs around the country with bands such as CHELSEA and CHRON GEN. In 1982 while they were recording their debut album "Defective Breakdown" at Surreys' Jacobs Studios the band found themselves in the next room to ageing hippy Rick Wakeman. In true punk tradition the band helped themselves to Wakemans private bar. As the DEFECTS finished recording, the BUSINESS arrived. They were about to start work on their "Suburban Rebels" album, and Wakeman blarned the unsuspecting Londoners for nicking all his booze! The DEFECTS brought label mates the Anti Nowhere League and the Meteors over for a gig in Maysfield Leisure Centre, Belfast in December '82, around the time their debut album was released to much critical acclaim. The bands next vinyl outing didn't appear until January '84 when their final single "Suspicious minds" was issued by I.D. Records. The band played their final gig on Tuesday 7th February 1984 at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, supporting the CLASH. They did however play one more support slot after this with 999, but without Buck. Glenn having to take on vocal duties. |
|
THE
DEFECTS GIGS LIST
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CLONDUFF COMMUNITY
CENTRE, BELFAST (ACME) ? AUGUST 1979 |