Wrote off to this lot following an ad in Sounds for their ‘Arnold Layne’ flexi, very much expecting a hard, punk sound following their debut single ‘Orders’ on New Puritan Records. What a surprise I got! ‘Arnold Layne’ is a slow, melodic cover of the old Syd Barrett number, and the other track ‘Indian Summer’ is a pleasant little instrumental jingle. Although not the sort of stuff I usually like, it is, at the least, pleasant and listenable, so I decided to go ahead and interview them.
When did you form and why?
London PX were formed in September 1979. There were four of us and we couldn’t play our instruments, but we thought we might as well give it a go. We were punks at the time.
What does the name mean/stand for?
London PX stands for London Punks, well, it did in the beginning, but not really now.
How many gigs have you done and who with?
To date we have played 19 gigs, some of the groups we’ve supported have been UK Subs, Infa Riot, 4x2’s, Manufactured Romance. At one gig we were the headlining group, Erazerhead (who are now quite big/well known) were bottom of the bill.
What was the best gig?
The best gig was at the Greyhound, Fulham, supporting UK Subs.
What do you think of Skunx, have you played there?
Skunx is a bad place, often very violent, and often very Nazi. The only good thing is the sound that can be achieved. We’ve played there three times, in fact we were the first group to play there, we were support on the opening night.
Do you prefer playing live to being in the studio?
I don’t prefer playing live to being in the studio, cos they are both different, but equally good. You get all the atmosphere with dancing/freaking out at a gig, and in the studio you can become creative and achieve a better sound.
Any plays to play outside London?
We have no plans at the moment to play outside London cos we haven’t got a bassist.
Have you got a decent following?
We haven’t got much of a following at the present, but back in 1980 there was enthusiasm and our gigs were quite packed. The crowds seem to have died away.
What’s London like as far as venues/bands/zines go?
If you’re a punk then London’s the place to be, but then it’s not anymore. Punk used to be good in the old days but it just got boring. The venues here that have punks bands are: the Marquee, Greyhound, Zig Zag, Central Iberico, Moonlight, George Robey, but none of them are good. There are no punk bands that are good but if I had to be subjected to one it would be the Subhumans. Sorry, I’ve forgotten I do like Six Minute War. I don’t get the chance to read zines.
Who writes the lyrics and what are they about?
Cliff Hanger used to write the lyrics, and were about basically social attitudes. But I write the lyrics now and they’re about childhood, inner feelings and love, and also just nonsense verse.
What releases have you had?
Our releases so far have been: Orders/Eviction (single), New Puritan Records June 81, Not Music EP (cassette) Terrapin Records July 1982, Arnold Layne/Indian Summer (flexi) Terrapin Records December 1982. ‘Orders’ was recorded in March 1981 at Starforee Studios London. I didn’t think much of it. It was badly recorded. ‘Not Music’ was recorded in December 1979 in the squat where Cliff Hanger lived. These were bad, unmusical songs from the days when we could hardly play – crap. ‘Arnold Layne’ – well, it had to be done.
Are you happy with the flexi, and how has it sold?
I’m happy with the flexi, though it’s not selling very well, people just aren’t interested in flexis.
Have you got a record label or record deal?
Terrapin is our own label.
What do you think of 80s punk, who do you like?
I don’t like 80s punk except for Six Minute War. My favourite group/artists are Syd Barrett (original Pink Floyd singer/guitarist), Beatles, Black Sabbath, Wire, Jimi Hendrix, Sex Pistols and TV Personalities.
What do you think of today’s punk scene compared with 77’s?
Today’s punk scene is nowhere near as good as 77’s.
How do you see the band’s music progressing?
I see the band’s music progressing into a more acoustic sound and also I’d like to add instruments such as sitar and harpsichord.
What motivates the band?
Syd Barrett motivates the band. He’s the greatest musician ever and I’m very influenced by him. Everything I write has got a touch of Syd in it.
Future plans?
We are recording an EP in March for release in Holland. It’s a one-off for an indie label called DEL’us (dunno what it means).
Anything you’d like to add?
There have been nine different line-ups of the band since we started. And I am the only original member left. The current line-up is me (Mitchell Wells) on Vocals and Guitar, and Bernard Drummond on Drums. There’s no bassist at the moment but it was Dave Yole who played Bass on the flexi.
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