Another snappy English punk single from the early 80's today, this time from Croydon band The Transistors.
Forming in 1979, the line up was Paul Easley (vocals), Keith White (guitar), Roy Tuppen (bass) and Steve Easley (drums). Tuppen died following a motorbike accident and was replaced on bass by Dave Cumming. They released a couple of 7"'s. on their own Open Circuit Records, the first was from 1981 and featured Riot Squad/636 Stop 63636 Stop 63636 Stop/Sniffing Glue. Four years later the line up had changed but they were back with a follow up featuring the songs Mothers Pride/Change Your Ways/Batman.
From the debut single, this is Riot Squad......
Sick and tired of getting pushed around
The time has come for us to stand our ground
The government blame's it on our unemployment
But we're today's generation and we know what we want
Riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
Can't you see it's a political putdown
We're all together and we're gonna fight
For what we believe in, what we think is right
You've had your warning now don't get in our way
You'll finish your job then you're gonna pay
Riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
Stop telling us what we're going to do
There's police lights flashing right in front of my eyes
Sirens wailing, ringing through the night
The crowd is gathered and the atmosphere's tight
Cos we're going on a rampage and we're going tonight
Riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
We are the riot squad
I'm Alright and I ain't going nowhere
I was Paul's girlfriend at the time and helped with writing Riot Squad. Was a bit pissed off when I got no credit!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember Roy dying. My memory of the change to Dave playing bass was that they didn't think Roy really fit the band. Dave's mum and dad paid for the single to be made and 1000 copies were pressed. I remember traipsing around the record shops seeing if any would be willing to stock it.
We had some fun times. Sunday mornings were spent (usually nursing a hangover!) at the rehearsal studios in Streatham, until the area where the studio was, was redeveloped.
The gigs were fun, but the guys were lucky to make enough for a couple of beers each, after paying for the hire of a van and PA system.
Sadly, Dave died a few years ago. Keith was at Dave's funeral, but Paul and Steve were absent. The last time I spoke to Paul was about 14 years ago when he was planning on moving to (I think) Greece.
Wrong, you may be thinking of TV Times, which Paul wrote the lyrics to (maybe with your help). Keith wrote the music and ALL lyrics to Riot Squad, and most of The Transistors other songs. 1000 copies was the first pressing, it was repressed several times subsequently. You're also wrong about "they didn't think Roy really fit the band".
DeleteRepressed several times??????????
Deletethanks for the comment Jools. it's always great when someone can add something to my pretty basic intros.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thought you might like to hear from someone who was there at the time. :)
ReplyDeleteHi i was also there every weekend in Streatham practicing in the studio which was an old cinema and is now a supermarket,the picture of the four of us on the back cover, was outside the studio against a big american car,me on the right with the spray can. I didn't know Dave died until a few years after when I found Keith's brother, Dave overdosed and was found by his mum. I've been looking for Keith since, if anyone knows where he is please contact me. Transistors1@hotmail.com i get emails from bands all over doing covers,I still have a lot of recordings enough for 2 albums, I put some on my space and they got banned or blocked ?. I have a lot of good memories and stories. So please if anyone can find Keith give him my email above, maybe we can give the band another go. Thanks....stephen (drummer of the transistors)
ReplyDeleteSadly he just passed away
DeleteJust to clarify Dave didn't die of an overdose he was trying to give them up on his own without help, because he wanted to visit a friend in hospital, had a fit which caused a heart attack
DeleteRiot squad was keiths music and lyrics, i wrote those for 636stop. It was titled because of the way the riff was made up. Roy died after dave joined, was a sad day but his funeral was attended by hundreds of fellow bikers. We had some good times and usually played to a regular audience of around 25 people in the practice studio that jools spoke of. My brother and i were very sad when we heard that dave had died, nobody told us. I never did move to greece!! Oh, hi jools. P. X
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, good to "see" you again! The practice sessions were fun, but urgh at having to get up early in the morning, often with a hangover!
ReplyDeleteSteve's got my email address if you want to catch up any time, quite a bit has happened since we last spoke. Take care. x
CP gave me your mail, let me know how you are hun. mail explains a little!
DeleteS'pose it could be worse Jools - you could have been the one with fluorescent/luminous green paint put in your hair by certain people :p
ReplyDeleteYou still about Keith
ReplyDeleteI was there around those times, used to sit at the rehearsals and do a bit of backing vox for them for fun
ReplyDeleteStill in touch with Keith from time to time and jell ( second vox ) was my best mate who I still see now, Keith’s brother graham was my second drummer with IT! In the early 90’s bit haven’t seen him since
Good times in Croydon
how can I listen to the transistors as I cant find nothing on youtube as its all copyrighted! used to have some of the singles and used to go out with jell many moons ago regards sally circa crystal palace! fuck me im bored!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs Keith's son i can confirm he is still about however living abroad.. I see my uncle Graham from time to time im and around Croydon. Just thought id add a little something so that old friends of my dads know hes still about!
ReplyDeleteHi Keith's son, don't know which one you are,nice to know Keith's still alive and kicking, I'm guessing Elaine is ok too.im Stephen, you won't remember me, you was very small when I last saw you.it would be nice to catch up on old times, if Keith wants to talk, I'm easy to find,I also have every band practice and gig we recorded,if anyone is interested in mp3, and some photos Stephen
DeleteHi Steve, I'm still in need of listening to those recordings!!!! And seeing any old photos, --- graeme
DeleteHi Steve, I've literally only just seen your reply!! Can you resch out and message me on Facebook: Shambler White or Instagram: e11evn88
DeleteHi steve, love to here some of the old recordings, having been given the records by you (back in the day) was gutted when they were stolen and now can't find anything on the internet. have some old school photo of us at school(stanley tec)graffiti corner
ReplyDeleteStill waiting to find out who Paul c is, would you be Paul Cornell, I remember graffiti corner, I was given the honour of the first art piece, by the tiny head master
DeleteWould this be Paul Cornell?
ReplyDeleteHi its jell how is everyone doing I'm currently living in new addinton if anyone still around, my phone number is 07500069300 if you want to contact me be nice to see some old faces
ReplyDeleteHi. Is this the band that did "spying for the russians". I would love to hear that again if it is the same band ?
ReplyDeleteThis is Stephen, the original drummer for The Transistors,we never had a song by that name, unless it was after I was replaced.
DeleteIf anyone here is still here from the transistors or friends of those in the band, can you reach out and message me on facebook, search: Shambler White
ReplyDeleteThanks, J
hi, it's paul. i heard about your dad yesterday via the "grapevine", i am sorry for your loss. i'm rarely on here so may miss any messages. further up this page, "jools" (Julia) has also left us, we are all ageing so i hope to hear from those left at some point.
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