Generation X (band)
| Generation X | |
|---|---|
 Generation X, 1977. L-R: Billy Idol, Tony James, Bob Andrews, and Mark Laff. |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Gen X |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Punk rock, dance-punk,[1] pop punk[2][3][4] |
| Years active | 1976–1981 |
| Labels | Chrysalis |
| Associated acts | Chelsea Subway Sect Sigue Sigue Sputnik London SS The Clash Cowboys International Carbon/Silicon Empire Paradox |
| Past members | |
| Billy Idol Tony James Bob Andrews John Towe Mark Laff Terry Chimes James Stevenson |
|
Generation X (also known as Gen X) was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
Three members of Gen X were previously in Chelsea along with lead singer Gene October, they soon broke away from October and selected the name Generation X (after Jane Deverson's 1965 sociology book, a copy of which was owned by Idol's mother).[1] Idol switched from guitar to vocal duties, and Bob "Derwood" Andrews joined as lead guitarist after leaving the Fulham band 'Paradox' which included well known local musicians of the time, Gary Claydon and Chris"Noggin" McCullough.This was the band that were at the centre of the infamous riot at Fulham Art centre in 1976, which is where Billy Idol first saw Bob Andrews. Generation X played their first concert on 21 December 1976 at The Roxy (becoming the very first band to play at the venue).[1][5]
Towe was later replaced on drums by Mark Laff (ex-Subway Sect), to complete the 'official' line-up, before the band signed to Chrysalis Records and released their first single, "Your Generation" in September, 1977.[6] This configuration would remain through their first two albums, the self titled, Generation X (1977), followed by Valley of the Dolls (1979).[6]
Generation X were one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC Television music programme Top of the Pops.[7] Unlike other punk bands, Generation X ignored some of the 'rules' and 'ideals' adopted by UK punk rock bands, taking inspiration from British pop of the 1960s.[8] In 1977, they covered John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth", and in 1979 they teamed up with veteran old-school rocker Ian Hunter who produced their second album Valley of the Dolls.[7]
There were differences in the group's musical direction that they struggled to resolve.[7] They wanted to remain true to their punk roots while pursuing a heavier rock sound.[7] Internal disagreements came to a head in late 1979 during the recording of what was to have been their third album. This was released decades later as part of the Anthology boxed set under the title, Sweet Revenge.
In 1980, Andrews and Laff left the band (subsequently forming the post-punk band, Empire), to be replaced in Generation X by The Clash and Cowboys International's former drummer Terry Chimes, and former Chelsea guitarist James Stevenson.[6]
Generation X made a last stand, re-recording some of the Sweet Revenge material, as well as several new songs. With this final release, Kiss Me Deadly (1981), the band abbreviated its name to Gen X.[6] Kiss Me Deadly included a version of "Dancing with Myself", first recorded as part of Sweet Revenge with Andrews and Laff, and which Idol would later include on his first EP as a solo artist to kick-start his own career with a hit.
Idol went on to pursue a solo career in New York, where he became a substantial pop star.[9] James later formed Sigue Sigue Sputnik[7] and performed with bands including The Sisters of Mercy and, much later on, Carbon/Silicon. Stevenson later joined Gene Loves Jezebel then The Cult then The Alarm.[6] Chimes rejoined The Clash.[6]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- 1978 - Generation X UK #29
- 1979 - Valley of the Dolls UK #51
- 1979 - Sweet Revenge (Unreleased until 1998, reissued in 2003 as a second disc for the Anthology.)
- 1981 - Kiss Me Deadly (As "Gen X".)
[edit] Compilation albums
- 1985 - The Best Of Generation X
- 1991 - Perfect Hits 1975-81
- 2002 - Radio 1 Sessions
- 2003 - Anthology
[edit] Live albums
- 2002 - Live at the Paris Theatre '78 & '81 (Reissued (and edited) in 2003 as One Hundred Punks - BBC Live In Concert.)
- 2003 - Live at Sheffield
- 2005 - Live
[edit] 7" singles
- 1977 - "Your Generation" b/w "Day By Day" UK #36
- 1977 - "Wild Youth" b/w "Wild Dub" UK
- 1978 - "Ready Steady Go" b/w "No No No" UK #47
- 1978 - "King Rocker" b/w "Gimme Some Truth" UK #11
- 1979 - "Valley Of The Dolls" b/w "Shakin' All Over" UK #23
- 1979 - "Friday's Angels" b/w "Trying for Kicks" / "This Heat" UK #62
- 1980 - "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Ugly Rash" (As "Gen X".) UK #62
[edit] 12" singles/EPs
- 1980 - "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Loopy Dub" / "What Do You Want" (As "Gen X".) UK
- 1981 - "Dancing with Myself EP" (As "Gen X".) UK #60
- "Dancing with Myself"
- "Untouchables"
- "Rock On"
- "King Rocker"
- 1981 - "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Hubble, Bubble, Toil and Dubble" (As "Gen X".) US
[edit] See also
- D.O.A. (1980 film)
- Bromley Contingent
- List of British punk bands
- List of musicians in the first wave of punk music
- List of New Wave bands and artists
- Music of the United Kingdom (1970s)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Generation X - A Punk Rock History with Pictures
- ^ "Generation X - A Punk Rock History with Pictures". Punk77.co.uk. http://punk77.co.uk/groups/generationx.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ^ Pop Punk Image via Wikipedia (2010-12-05). "Pop Punk". Musicbase.org. http://www.musicbase.org/rock/punk-rock/pop-punk. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ^ "IDOL LINKS - Popular Musicians". Idollinks.bravepages.com. 1955-11-30. http://idollinks.bravepages.com/popularmusicians.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ^ The band's early performance at The Roxy and offstage interactions are included as part of The Punk Rock Movie (1978), being a compilation of punk band performances at The Roxy during this period.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 472. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ a b c d e "Biography by Greg Prato". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4351/biography. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "King Rocker" by Generation X Songfacts
- ^ Billy Idol: the return of Billy the kid The Telegraph (London). Retrieved 30 November 2011
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 224. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
