The Radio 1 sessions from Scottish Post-Punk band APB is reissued June 7

During the 1980s, APB was one of the most popular alternative bands in the New York Tri-State area, touring frequently and enjoying regular airplay on Long Island’s WLIR Radio

Liberation Hall will reissue The Radio 1 Sessions by long-running Scottish post-punk band APB on June 7.

Originally released in 2006, the title gathers 19 sessions recorded between 1981 to 1984 for BBC Radio 1 deejays John Peel, David Jensen, and Peter Powell. Newly remastered by Randy Perry, The Radio 1 Sessions will be available on CD and digital with distribution via MVD Entertainment Group (USA) and
Wienerworld (UK).

Fifteen of the songs that appear on The Radio 1 Sessions are only available on this release.
The Radio 1 Sessions is the final title in Liberation Hall’s reissue campaign for APB and it follows
Something to Believe In, Cure for the Blues, and Three.

Pre-order The Radio 1 Sessions on Amazon or Bandcamp. The first digital single “Back Inside
Your Heart” is available now.

In 1979, APB was formed in Aberdeen, Scotland. Taking inspiration from the D.I.Y. (“Do It
Yourself”) spirit of punk rock, teenagers Iain Slater (singer, bassist), Glenn Roberts (guitar), and
George Cheyne (drums) rehearsed relentlessly and signed with local independent Oily Records
at the dawn of the 1980s.

The band’s trademark post-punk dance rhythms were there from the start, with debut single “Shoot You Down” crackling with serrated guitar and Slater’s native vocal inflections.

APB was in lock step with similarly militaristic dance factions of the time — Gang of Four, Au Pairs, Delta 5 — but their own music was more celebratory and inclusive.
Everyone was invited to an APB party.

“When I bought the second APB single, ‘Shoot You Down,’ I was blown away by the pure energy
and sparse funk groove that drove the record,” said Matt Pinfield, former host of MTV’s 120
Minutes. “Over the course of the next few years, I saw the band live about 15 times. They
would always pack clubs in New York, New Jersey, and Long Island — anywhere they received
airplay.”

In 2024, APB remains an active touring band which includes original members Slater, Roberts,
and Cheyne. Over the decades, APB’s sparse, rhythmic sound has influenced everyone from the
Red Hot Chili Peppers to Franz Ferdinand. A new generation is primed to make their
acquaintance.

APB – Something to Believe In (CD/DL: Lib Hall 5085) 1. My Love | 2. Higher the Climb | 3. Crooner’s Lullaby | 4. From You and Back to You | 5. Danceability | 6. Crazy Grey | 7. Stop Before I Go | 8. Out of Town | 9. Got It in One | 10. Play It | 11. Wonderdrug | 12. Back Inside Your Heart | 13. Hypnotic Love Affair | 14. Don’t Close the Door | 15. Take Me to a Good Place | 16. What Kind of Girl? | 17. You Can’t Have Her | 18.
Something to Believe In | 19. So Many Broken Hearts.

All songs written by APB (George Cheyne, Glenn Roberts, Iain Slater). Published by Kobalt Music Publishing.

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Folk Devils : Broken Heads (Live at The 100 Club)

On March 15, 2024 London post-punk mavericks Folk Devils re-united after a 5-year absence to perform a 40th Anniversary show at the legendary 100 Club on London’s Oxford Street. ‘Broken Heads‘ is a document of that evening, seventeen songs, over an hour of hi-octane post-punk-blues-swamp-rock energy.

Named after Stanley Cohen’s book on youth subcultures “Folk Devils and Moral Panics”, this highly underrated British band was formed by Co. Durham native Ian Lowery (formerly of The Wall and Ski Patrol) in late 1983 with a line up that consisted of Mark Whiteley (Bass), Kris Jozajtis (Guitar) and Alan Cole (Drums). Throughout their short lifespan, the band released several acclaimed independent singles including 1984’s “Hank Turns Blue” and “Beautiful Monster”, 1985’s intense “Fire And Chrome” EP, and recorded three sessions for BBC Radio’s John Peel Show.

By early 1984, their heady brew of swampy rock on a bed of bastardized blues had created a vehicle for Lowery’s increasingly misanthropic worldview. A well-honed gutter poet since the early days of punk, Ian developed an idiosyncratic style, fusing a natural gift for sly wordplay and a well-turned snarky phrase with his often vitriolic and poignant lyrics channeled through an explosive onstage persona.

By 1985, their sound was becoming sharp, ominous, brooding and urgent, and had taken shape with the help of producer Richard Mazda, with whom they collaborated several times. The band gigged constantly, most memorably sharing bills with the likes of The Fall, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gun Club and Spacemen 3. They also toured extensively throughout Europe and were featured prominently in the UK music press. Sadly, by early 1986 frustration within their ranks had created a point of no return, and the band imploded. Ian Lowery passed away in 2001, age 45.

Kris and Mark reformed the band in 2016 with an idea to play occasional re-union shows which they did until 2020’s Covid lockdown forced them to shelve their plans. The new line-up of the band did however release the acclaimed “Forever” EP that year featuring two brand new songs — “Forever” and “My Slum Soul” — both included in this live set. 2024 presented them with an opportunity to re-group and celebrate 40 years of mischief and mayhem. The 100 Club was packed with friends, followers and family comprising several generations of revelers. The sound was pristine, the performances sharp (for the most part) and the mix-down superb. Enjoy this souvenir of a band still at the top of their game. Better the devil you know!

Credits:

Kris Jozajtis – Guitar, Backing Vocals

Mark Whiteley – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals

Dave Hodgson – Vocals, Percussion, Harp

Nick Clift – Guitar

Tom Fenner – Drums*

* special guest, formerly of Microdisney and Voice Of The Beehive

Mixed & Mastered by Dave Hodgson

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