A band that got little reputation is Ski Patrol from London, which founded 1979 by former The Wall and future Folk Devils singer Ian Lowery and Nick Clift of The Debutantes. Inspired by the darkwave and Punk-funk sounds and emotions of British PostPunk bands, and also influenced by the Jamaican rhythms and politically charged environment, Ski Patrol set about writing angular, moody songs that fused Lowery's dark lyrical pre-occupations with Clift's ringing guitar. Joined by fellow North-Eastern transplants Peter on bass and drummer Bruce (original drummer in The Wall), the band began playing shows at the London Circuit. They recorded four songs at Alaska Studios in Waterloo, two of which became their first singles. In early 1980, Bruce left and was replaced by Alan. More shows followed, and the four came to the attention of Malicious Damage (Killing Joke label). In June 1980, this new partnership produced the second single Agent Orange. Largely inspired by the film Apocalypse Now, Lowery's lyrics referenced the defoliant used in the Vietnam War and the song itself was built around a pulsing three-note bassline, guitar harmonics and a metronomic beat with catchy synthesizer atmospherics, the single was released later in 1980 and became their best known song, both are found in this post. In early 1981 Peter had left to join Fad Gadget, and was replaced by bassist Francis. The new line-up recorded a session for John Peel's BBC show in January 1981 and three tracks were broadcast on 19 January and repeated again later that year. A third single Cut was released on Malicious Damage in early Summer. The band's final recording session, in April 1981 yielded three new songs but none were released at the time, the band finally fell apart in August. A collection of the band's work, Versions Of A Life (Recordings 1979-1981), which includes the three tracks from the final recordings session was released in 2014. Their songs have drive and are extra class, driving and emotional and never get boring.
