GENERATION X - Untouchables (Live & Demos 1981)

"This group are important. They are something new, young and exciting. They're fuckin great!" Mark P.(Sniffin Glue 5.11.1976). This nice release was brought to us by A William Broadcasting Production and I don't know the exact release date but that doesn't matter, fifteen live recordings in a modest quality, plus three demos gather here for an hour to document the early days of Generation X, formed in London during the fall of 1976, Billy Idol (guitar), Tony James (bass & vocal) and John Towe (drums) perform a few gigs, under the name Chelsea with Gene October as frontman. Idol and James are also developing a song writing partnership, the results of which are not performed by Chelsea due to a lack of fit with the current group. Idol and James eventually decide to leave Chelsea so that they can create a group based upon their own vision and songs. John Towe comes along as well. On December 4th Billy finds the missing key to their new line up at the Fulham Arts Centre, when he sees seventeen year old Bob "Derwood" Andrews playing guitar in the band Paradox. Derwood is quickly recruited, given a hair cut, and within as little as three weeks after leaving Chelsea, Generation X play their first gig. In mid April 1977, Generation X decide that the weak link in their line-up is drummer John Towe, and he is asked to leave. After auditioning over twenty different drummers, they decide upon eighteen year old Mark Laff (a.k.a. Mark Laffoley). He was drumming for Subway Sect, and upon completion of their lengthy tour with the Clash, leaves to join up with Generation X. With Mark Laff now on-board, the "classic" line-up of Generation X is complete.In May 1979, Bob "Derwood" Andrews tells the other band members, that he is quitting the band. However, his departure is short lived and he soon comes back to finish the remaining live dates (including a tour of Japan) as well as recording sessions for the 3rd LP Sweet Revenge. On December 19th 1979, Derwood again announces to the band that he is leaving and this time sticks to his decision. On January 23rd 1980, Billy and Tony ask drummer Mark Laff to leave the band as well. Bob "Derwood" Andrews and Mark Laff go on to form the group Empire and release one LP Expensive Sound in 1981, before breaking up. Billy Idol and Tony James recruit former Chelsea guitarist James Stevenson and ex-Clash drummer Terry Chimes, re-christen the group Gen X, and go on to release one LP Kiss Me Deadly in 1981, before breaking up.(Source: Mark Gale & Mark Laff) I think you are well informed now so enjoy their sound at maximum volume!

Ready Steady Go/Trying For Kicks/Triumph/Anna Smiles/Valley Of The Dolls/Revenge/Day By Day/Rock'N'Roll/Shakin' All Over/Heavens Inside/Untouchables/Andy Warhol/Poison/Kiss Me Deadly/New Orders/Dancing With Myself/Taxidriver

- Great Thx again to Reinhard -

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