In 1976 Teesside, and in particular Middlesbrough Rock Garden, was punching above it's weight at the very earliest stages of the Punk Rock phenomena sweeping the country. Bands such as Blitzkrieg Bop, No Way and The Amazing Space Frogs quickly released singles that would become highly collectible. The Lice and others were in on the action.
No Way amassed a large following locally when they began. Remaining members today are renamed Breaking Point, after their debut EP. The Lice recently reappeared after being dormant for decades and have a wealth of Teesside Punk history in their memoirs,
In the years that followed Snide Remarks with an authentic vibe somewhere between The Sex Pistols and The Damned and Dogsflesh with their hardcore Punk-Metal appeared, and remain active today. Both bands have several releases and have toured internationally.
The Hangmen absorbed the Punk ethos into their own retro-punk sound merging it with unholy rockabilly, landing them appearances with many punk headliners, festivals and the distinction of being the only Teesside band to play at Punk Mecca CBGB's in New York to trod the same stage as The Ramones, The Cramps and Blondie. With 9 albums and a global track record to their name they are Teesside's most prolific independent band export to date.
The Inklings are the most recent formation with original numbers that flaunt an early Stranglers vibe and more.
Finally Dead Hombres, whilst a well established band from their previous London base are a recent addition to the local scene, but already gaining a good reputation for their surf-punk and psychobilly edge.
Zeitgeist 77, Give Him To Mongo, The Antiseptix and others have also carried the torch for brief periods over the years.
This day will celebrate the diversity and originality of Teesside's bands who still retain that spirit of Punk rebellion and energy handed down to them since 1976.
In no particular order:
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The Hangmen www.thehangmen.uk
The Inklings
Dogsflesh
Breaking Point
The Lice
Dead Hombres
Event Venue
Amped Up Music Bar & Venue, 21d Yarm Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
