Cleveland based punk band who were noted for their entertaining live shows and playing supports to several ‘name’ punk bands including the Rezillos.

Micky Dunn, Alan King & Jonathan Pratt all went to the same school (Acklam High School, Cleveland) along with Alf Hookem our roadie. The other two members, Graham Moses & Dave Martin joined after replying to a wanted advert in the local paper.

Dunn had previously led the fifth form band Sweet Cheer, pick-up band Block Capital & The Bold Types and Newcastle University pub rock outfit Linus. He then had the misfortune to play with two subsequent bands, both of whom’s drummers died in car accidents. The Lice formed, originally as the Somme before discovering another London-based band of that name, after Dunn was thrown out of university and returned to Middlesbrough. He was forced to miss one of the band’s biggest shows, supporting the Rich Kids, after an accident at the local Head Wrightson’s steelworks. Instead affiliate member Chris Bell stood in.

In June 1978, when Dunn was persuaded to join local band Blitzkrieg Bop replacing Ray Radford, Bell took over on guitar on a permanent basis. The group eventually changed name to Post Mortem, with new permanent guitarist John Youdale – the brother of Jet from the Gladiators TV nonsense. Later, Moses too would make the transition to Blitzkrieg Bop in early October 1978, and the Lice roadie Alf Hookem, also took over the roadie duties for Bop, where he was nicknamed “Mad Alf”..

Cheers

Jon

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above photos were taken while the band were rehearsing at at the "Sadlers Pub" in Thornaby-On-Tees

 

 

The above snippet appeared in the North East Punk fanzine "Gabba Gabba Hey" #4 from 1977

The above snippet appeared in the North East Punk fanzine "Teeside Smells" #1 from 1979

Above is an original gig ticket from the 'Starlight Club', Thornaby from Monday 5th December 1977

Thanks to 'Alex Ogg' for the text & Jonathan Pratt for the photos.

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