SIRE Who’s Who

Rip It Up, Issue 19, 1 February 1979, Page 9

SIRE Who’s Who

The Dead Boys Formed in Cleveland, Ohio. Moved to New York in 1976 and won a following based on their heavy metal music, their punk image and lead singer Stiv Bator's self mutilation. Second album recorded with veteran producer Felix Pappalardi.

Albums: Young, Loud and Snotty (Sire. 1977) We Ha Come for Your Children (Sire 1978).

The Flaming Groovies Only remaining original members George Alexander and Cyril Jordan began together in a Californian Bay Area band. The Chosen Few. In 1966 they became The Flaming Groovies playing 50's rock and roll and 60 s pop at a time when psychedelia ruled. In 1970 moved to New York and recorded second album. Third album. Teenage Head, in 1971 was acclaimed as a classic. Toured Britain in

1972 and came to the attention of British rocker Dave Edmunds. Collaboration with Edmunds as producer resulted in Shake Some Action (1976) and Flaming Groovies Now (1977) which maintained the Groovies’ stance as defenders of the 60’s pop tradition. Albums \ Super (Epic. 1969); Flamingo (Kama Sutra. 1970): Teenage Head (Kama Sutra. 1971); Shake Some Action (Sire. 1976); The Flaming Groovies Now (Sire. 1978). . , Richard Hell and the Voidoids Richard Hell (born Richard Myers) attended school with one Tom Miller (later Tom Verlaine). Together the two pul together the band Television to which Hell contributed both the name and many songs. Hell left after disagreements with Verlaine. Joined ex-New York Dolls Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan in The Heartbreakers. then quit after nine months. Formed Voidoids in 1976 with Bob Quine (guitar). Ivan Julian (guitar) and Marc Bell (drums). Recorded first album Blank Generation in 1977. Hell and the Voidoids have been dropped by Sire and next album to be produced by Nick Lowe. Albums Blank Generation (Sire. 1977).

The Paley Brothers Raised in New York, Andy Paley was a member of the Boston group The Sidewinders whose only album was recorded with then rock journalist (now Patti Smith’s guitarist)! Lenny Kaye as producer. Then Andy joined brother Jonathon to form the Paley Brothers a power-pop duo. Albums. The Paley Brothers) Sire. 1978). The Ramones

The four brothers Ramone Tommy. Dee Dee, Joey and Johnny emerged in New York in 1975. They allied dumb-punk minimalism and speedy three chord songs, to

tattered denims, leather jackets and mop top haircuts. Their performances of 17 songs in thirty minutes won them the tag of the fastest and smartest rock band in the universe. First album released 1976. two more followed in 1978. Drummer Tommy quit in 1978 though he continues to aid the brothers as producer and songwriter. Replacement was Marc Bell of Richard Hell's Voidoids. New album Road to Ruin sees advances on their basic sound but retains characteristic blitzkrieg bash.

Albums ; The Ramones (Sire, ' ,1976); The Ramones Leave Home (Sire. 1977); Rocket to Russia (Sire.. 1977); Road to Ruin (Sire. 1978).

The Rezillos Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1977 around nucleus of guitarist/songwriter John Callis and singers Fay Fife and Eugene Reynolds. Specialists in reviving pop garbage and writing original songs in this vein. Tied this sound to a bizarre image based around day-glo look. First single “Can't Stand My Baby” on local independent label attracted much attention and band signed to Sire records and recorded first album in New' York in 1977. though distribution problems meant release was delayed till 1978. Band split in two in late ’7B due to “differing expectations of the music industry”. Callis and the rhythm section will continue under the name of The Rezillos while Fife and Reynolds intend to form a new band.

Albums: Can' t Stand the Rezillos (Sire. 1978). Talking Heads Formed at Rhode Island School of Design by guitarist David Byrne together. with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth on drums and bass (now husband and wife). Moved to New York in. 1974 and performed at CBGBs as trio. In 1977 were joined by ex-Modern Lovers keyboardist / guitarist Jerry Harrison. First album released in 1977 to enthusiastic reviews (Rolling Stone './called it “the definitive record of the decade"). Second album produced by Brian Eno. Byrne's idiosyncratic songs and the band's young Republican image stamp them as one of the most interesting groups of the late 70s. Albums: Talking Heads 'll (Sire. 1977): More Songs About Buildings and Food (Sire. 1978).