Generation X (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Generation X | |
|---|---|
Generation X, 1977. L-R: Billy Idol, Tony James, Bob Andrews, and Mark Laff.
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Gen X |
| Origin | Chelsea, London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Punk rock, dance-punk,[1]pop punk[2][3][4] |
| Years active | 1976–81, 1993 |
| Labels | Chrysalis |
| Associated acts | London SS, Chelsea,Subway Sect, The Clash, Paradox, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Cowboys International, Empire,Twenty Flight Rockers,Carbon/Silicon |
| Past members | Billy Idol Tony James John Towe Bob Andrews Mark Laff Terry Chimes James Stevenson |
Generation X (also known as Gen X) were an English punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.[1]
Contents
[show]Career[edit]
Three members of Generation X were previously in the band Chelsea, along with lead singer Gene October. They soon broke away from October and selected the name Generation X (after Jane Deverson's 1965 sociology book, a copy of which was owned by Idol's mother).[1] Idol switched from guitar to vocal duties, and Bob "Derwood" Andrews joined as lead guitarist after leaving the Fulham band Paradox. Generation X played their first concert on 14 December 1976 at The Roxy (becoming the first band to play at the venue).[1][5]
Towe was later replaced on drums by Mark Laff (ex-Subway Sect), to complete the 'official' line-up, before the band signed toChrysalis Records and released their first single, "Your Generation" in September 1977.[6] They played this song on Marc Bolan's afternoon variety show, Marc, that same month. This line-up of the band would remain through their first two albums, the self-titled,Generation X (1978), followed by Valley of the Dolls (1979).[6]
Rise to stardom[edit]
Generation X were one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC Television music programme Top of the Pops.[7] Unlike other punk bands, Generation X ignored some of the 'rules' and 'ideals' adopted by UK punk rock bands, taking inspiration from British pop of the 1960s.[8] In 1977, they covered John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth", and in 1979 they teamed up with Ian Hunter who produced their second album, Valley of the Dolls.[7]
There were differences in the group's musical direction that they struggled to resolve.[7] They wanted to remain true to their punk roots while pursuing a heavier rock sound.[7] Internal disagreements came to a head in late 1979 during the recording of what was to have been the third Generation X album. This was released decades later as part of the Anthology boxed set under the title Sweet Revenge.
Personnel changes and break-up[edit]
In 1980, Andrews and Laff left the band (subsequently forming the post-punk band, Empire), to be replaced in Generation X by the Clash and Cowboys International's former drummer Terry Chimes, and former Chelsea guitarist James Stevenson.[6]
Generation X made a last stand, re-recording some of the Sweet Revenge material, as well as several new songs. With this final release, Kiss Me Deadly (1981), the band abbreviated its name to Gen X.[6] Kiss Me Deadly included a version of "Dancing with Myself", first recorded as part of Sweet Revenge with Andrews and Laff, and which Idol would later include on his first EP as a solo artist to kick-start his own career with a hit.
Idol went on to pursue a solo career in New York, where he became a substantial pop star.[9] James later formed Sigue Sigue Sputnik[7] and performed with bands including the Sisters of Mercy and, much later on, Carbon/Silicon. Stevenson later joined Gene Loves Jezebel, the Cult and, more latterly, the Alarm and the International Swingers.[6] Chimes rejoined the Clash.[6]
On 20 September 1993, during Billy Idol's No Religion Tour, Generation X had a one-time reunion performance at the Astoria Theatre in London.
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
- 1978 – Generation X UK No. 29
- 1979 – Valley of the Dolls UK No. 51
- 1979 – Sweet Revenge (Unreleased until 1998, reissued in 2003 as a second disc for the Anthology.)
- 1981 – Kiss Me Deadly (As "Gen X.")
Compilation albums[edit]
- 1985 – The Best of Generation X
- 1990 – The Idol Generation (Australia only.)
- 1991 – Perfect Hits 1975–81
- 2002 – Radio 1 Sessions
- 2003 – Anthology
Live albums[edit]
- 1999 – Live at the Paris Theatre '78 & '81 (Reissued (and edited) in 2002 as One Hundred Punks – BBC Live in Concert.)
- 2003 – Live at Sheffield
- 2005 – Live
7" singles[edit]
- 1977 – "Your Generation" b/w "Day by Day" UK No. 36
- 1977 – "Wild Youth" b/w "Wild Dub" UK
- 1978 – "Ready Steady Go" b/w "No No No" UK No. 47
- 1978 – "King Rocker" b/w "Gimme Some Truth" UK No. 11 (released in five various album covers.)
- 1979 – "Valley of the Dolls" b/w "Shakin' All Over" UK No. 23
- 1979 – "Friday's Angels" b/w "Trying for Kicks" / "This Heat" UK No. 62
- 1980 – "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Ugly Rash" (As "Gen X.") UK No. 62
12" singles/EPs[edit]
- 1980 – "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Loopy Dub" / "What Do You Want" (As "Gen X.") UK
- 1981 – 4 EP (As "Gen X.") UK No. 60
- "Dancing with Myself" (12" versions have an extended cut.)
- "Untouchables"
- "Rock On"
- "King Rocker"
- 1981 – "Dancing with Myself" b/w "Hubble, Bubble, Toil and Dubble" (As "Billy Idol and Gen X.") US
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