London SS

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London SS
GenresPunk rock
Years active1975–1976, 2012-present
MembersEunan Brady
Jimi McDonald
Taj
Michael Kane
Andre Gomes.
Past membersGeir Wade
John Brown
Mick Jones
Kelvin Cyril Blacklock
Tony James
Brian James
Roland Hot
Websitethelondonss.com

London SS is a British

rock group founded in March 1975 by drummer Geir Wade, bassist John Brown, guitarist Mick Jones, and guitarist Eunan Brady (formerly of the Hollywood Brats). They later became associated with the then new punk rock scene when the Sex Pistols broke in early 1976. In 2012 Brady put together a new lineup, featuring himself along with Jimi McDonald, Taj Sagoo, Michael Kane, and Andi Emm.[1]

History

The origin of the name "London SS" is disputable. Geir Wade claims to have been the first to propose it:

The New York Dolls and The Hollywood Brats.[2]

The group's name caused disquiet in some quarters, because "SS" was generally understood to refer to the

Jewish) when The Clash
became Britain's premier left-wing political band. When questioned about the name, Tony James stated:

We hadn't thought at all about the Nazi implications. It just seemed like a very anarchic, stylish thing to do.[3]

The London SS recruited Kelvin Cyril Blacklock to front their band. Blacklock's arrival led to Geir Wade and Mick Jones's departures. The band then changed its name to Violent Luck.

Even while still with Overtown, Kelvin had kept his options open by attending auditions for several other bands. One of the

Brunel University in Uxbridge, on the western outskirts of London and living in Twickenham, a few miles to the south.[2]

The second lineup of The London SS started with Blacklock and James.[4] The band spent most of their short history auditioning potential members. Besides Blacklock and James, guitarist

The Boys. Future Clash bassist Paul Simonon also auditioned for the group, albeit unsuccessfully.[2]

Recordings

London SS's only recording was a demo featuring James, Jones, James, and Hot. Musically, they played straightforward

R&B. An example of this is their song "1–2 Crush on You", which was later recorded by The Clash
. The reformed version did release a limited edition Demo CD, entitled "High Jinks On A Low Budget" which was sold at The Rebellion Festival in 2013, following their successful gig there.They also recorded an EP, whilst they were signed to the French label, Combat Rock Records. The E.P. is entitled "No Beards, No Beerguts, No Beginners"

Later bands featuring members of The London SS

Brian James and Rat Scabies joined Johnny Moped guitarist Ray Burns and backed up music journalist Nick Kent in the shortlived Subterraneans.[5] James and Scabies later formed The Damned. Tony James joined the band Chelsea with Billy Idol and the two later started Generation X. According to Chelsea drummer John Towe,

When Brian James played with London SS he wrote a song called 'Why Won't She Talk' [...] October kept the tune but put new words to the song and re-titled it 'Get Out and Walk'. When he discovered that the tune had been ripped off (early '77) he dropped it from Chelsea's set.[6]

Jones and Simonon teamed up with Joe Strummer and founded The Clash. Ultimately, The London SS members were more famous for what they did later than they were for anything that they accomplished during the band's existence. As described by music critic Dave Thompson, the band is "regarded as the testing ground-cum-meeting place for what became a who's-who of punk".[5]

References

  1. ^ "We're not Nazis, says London SS, punk band barred from Upper Street venue". Islington Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781857021462
    .
  3. OCLC 76794852
    .
  4. ^ Deming, Mark. "allmusic ((( Carbon/Silicon > Overview )))". allmusic.com. Retrieved 6 November 2008.
  5. ^ a b Thompson, Dave (7 February 1992). "The Damned". Goldmine. Retrieved 19 June 2018 – via Rock's Backpages.
  6. ^ John Towe's letter to the editor (Spiral Scratch magazine 1/1991, p.19)
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