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{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}


'''Play Dead''' were an [[English language|English]] [[post-punk]] group from [[Oxford]] that grew out of the fading English [[punk rock|punk]] scene of the late 1970s/early 1980s. Although the band became identified with other music groups like [[UK Decay]] and [[Sex Gang Children]], the band felt they didn't belong under the ''[[Gothic rock|Gothic]]'' title. The band made three [[studio album]]s for four different small [[record label|label]]s — [[Fresh Records (UK)|Fresh Records]], [[Jungle Records]], [[Situation 2]], and [[Clay Records]] — before forming their own label, Tanz, for their final album, ''Company Of Justice'', which they released in 1985.
'''Play Dead''' were an English [[rock music|rock]] band from [[Oxford]] that grew out of the English [[punk rock|punk]] scene of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band made three [[studio album]]s and one-off singles for four different small [[record label|label]]s — [[Fresh Records (UK)|Fresh Records]], [[Jungle Records]], [[Situation 2]] and [[Clay Records]] — before forming their own label, Tanz, for their final album, ''Company of Justice'', produced by [[Conny Plank]], which they released in 1985.


The original line-up of Play Dead consisted of Rob Hickson ([[vocals]]), Pete Waddleton ([[bass guitar]]), Mark "Wiff" Smith ([[drums]]) and Re-Vox ([[guitar]]). In July 1981, Re-Vox was replaced by Steve Green, a very talented guitarist who took the band in a far more successful direction with his unique{{cn|date=October 2020}} style of playing.
The original line-up of Play Dead consisted of Rob Hickson ([[vocals]]), Pete Waddleton ([[bass guitar]]), Mark "Wiff" Smith ([[drums]]) and Re-Vox ([[guitar]]). In July 1981, Re-Vox was replaced by Steve Green.


During their active years, Play Dead were well respected among their peers, including the likes of [[Killing Joke]], [[The Cult]] and [[The Sisters Of Mercy]] in the UK, all of whom had Play Dead as a support band at one time or another. An appearance on Channel 4's flagship music TV show, ''[[The Tube (TV series)|The Tube]]'' in late 1984 also cemented their credibility as a serious band who, despite their own attempts to dis-establish themselves from the Goth genre, were actually true pioneers of the movement with their dark, tribal music and often enigmatic image (photographs of the band members never appeared on any of their vinyl releases).
During their active years, Play Dead supported a number of acts, including the likes of [[Killing Joke]], [[The Cult]] and [[The Sisters Of Mercy]] in the UK. They also appeared on Channel 4's music TV show, ''[[The Tube (1982 TV series)|The Tube]]'' in late 1984.


A string of singles were released (many through Stoke-based [[Clay Records]]) from late 1983, throughout 1984 and early 1985. Play Dead toured frequently around the UK and Europe and, by 1985, felt they had enough quality material to be able to put out their first ever live album, "Into The Fire", which was released in May of that year. However, against the backdrop of similar artists such as [[Spear Of Destiny]], [[The Cult]], [[The Sisters Of Mercy]] and [[Fields Of The Nephilim]], whose success was evident through having higher profiles in the music press, Play Dead struggled to compete.
A string of singles were released (many through Stoke-based [[Clay Records]]) from late 1983, throughout 1984 and early 1985. Play Dead toured frequently around the UK and Europe and by 1985, felt they had enough material to be able to put out their first ever live album, ''Into The Fire'', which was released in May of that year. However, against the backdrop of similar artists such as [[Spear Of Destiny]], [[The Cult]], [[The Sisters Of Mercy]] and [[Fields Of The Nephilim]], whose success was evident through having higher profiles in the music press, Play Dead struggled to compete.


In 1984, Rob and Pete created the project [[Mankind's Audio Development]] (nicknamed M.A.D.). Only one single [[(music)|single]] was recorded with the two songs "Craving" and "Sunfeast." Waddleton left the group in 1986 and, after a brief period as '''The Beastmaster Generals''', the band dissolved.
In 1984, Rob and Pete created the project [[Mankind's Audio Development]] (nicknamed M.A.D.). Only one [[single (music)|single]] was recorded, with the two songs "Craving" and "Sunfeast." Waddleton left the group in 1986 and, after a brief period as The Beastmaster Generals, the band dissolved.


==Discography==
==Discography==
⚫
===Albums===
*1983 - ''[[The First Flower]] [freud 3] -'' #10 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]''<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>''
*1984 - ''[[From the Promised Land]] [CLAY LP 11]'' - #5 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1985 - ''Into the Fire [CLAY LP 16]'' - #19 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1985 - ''[[Company of Justice]] [TANZLP1]'' - #3 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
⚫
*1992 - ''[[Resurrection (Play Dead album)|Resurrection]]''


===7" Singles===
===12" singles===
⚫
*September 1983 - "Shine/Promise/Gaze" [SIT 28T]
⚫
*March 1984 - "Break/Blood Stains/Blood Stains Pleasure" [12 CLAY 31]
⚫
*July 1984 - "Isabel/Solace (Extended Version)" [12 CLAY 35]
⚫
*1984 - "Propaganda (1984 Mix)/Sin of Sins (1984 Mix)" [JUNG 17]
⚫
*1984 - "Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy/Conspiracy (Saigon Mix)" [12 CLAY 40]
⚫
*1985 - "Sacrosanct/Pale Fire/Holy Holy (Catholic Mix)/Sacrosanct (Heretic Mix)" [12 CLAY 42]
⚫
*1985 - "This Kind of Heaven/This Kind of Heaven (Serious Mix)/Last Degree" [TANZ 1]
⚫
*1985 - "Burning Down (MezCal Mix)/Still in Chains/Burning Down" [TANZ 2]


⚫
===7" singles===
*1981 - ''Poison Takes a Hold/Introduction [FRESH 29]''
*1981 - ''T.V. Eye/Final Epitaph [FRESH 38]''
*1981 - "Poison Takes a Hold/Introduction" [FRESH 29]
*1982 - ''Propaganda/Propaganda (Mix) [JUNG 2]''
*1981 - "T.V. Eye/Final Epitaph" [FRESH 38]
⚫
*1982 - "Propaganda/Propaganda (Mix)" [JUNG 2]
*1983 - ''Shine/Promise [SIT 28]''
*1983 - "Shine/Promise" [SIT 28] - #14 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1984 - ''Break/Blood Stains [CLAY 31]''
*1984 - "Break/Blood Stains" [CLAY 31] - #9 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1984 - ''Isabel/Solace [CLAY 35]''
*1984 - "Isabel/Solace" [CLAY 35] - #9 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1984 - ''Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy [CLAY 40]''
*1984 - "Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy" [CLAY 40] - #18 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
⚫
*1984 - ''Propaganda (1984 mix) [JUNG 17]''
*1984 - "Propaganda (1984 mix)" [JUNG 17] - #17 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1985 - ''Sacrosanct/Pale Fire [CLAY 42]''
*1985 - "Sacrosanct/Pale Fire" [CLAY 42] - #4 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>
*1985 - ''This Kind Of Heaven ''
*1985 - "This Side of Heaven" [TANZ 1] - #5 [[UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts|UK Indie]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm</ref>

⚫
===12" Singles===

⚫
*September 1983 - ''Shine/Promise/Gaze [SIT 28T]''
⚫
*March 1984 - ''Break/Blood Stains/Blood Stains Pleasure [12 CLAY 31]''
⚫
*July 1984 - ''Isabel/Solace (Extended Version) [12 CLAY 35]''
⚫
*1984 - ''Propaganda (1984 Mix)/Sin Of Sins (1984 Mix) [JUNG 17]''
⚫
*1984 - ''Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy/Conspiracy (Saigon Mix) [12 CLAY 40]''
⚫
*1985 - ''Sacrosanct/Pale Fire/Holy Holy (Catholic Mix)/Sacrosanct (Heretic Mix) [12 CLAY 42]''
⚫
*1985 - ''This Kind Of Heaven/This Kind Of Heaven (Serious Mix)/Last Degree [TANZ 1]''
⚫
*1985 - ''Burning Down (MezCal Mix)/Still In Chains/Burning Down [TANZ 2]''

⚫
===Albums===

*1983 - ''[[The First Flower]] [freud 3]''
*1984 - ''[[From The Promised Land]] [CLAY LP 11]''
*1985 - ''[[Into The Fire (Play Dead album)|Into The Fire]] [CLAY LP 16]''
*1985 - ''[[Company of Justice]] [TANZLP1]''


===BBC Radio 1 - John Peel Sessions===
===BBC Radio 1 - John Peel Sessions===

*1982 - ''Metallic Smile/Pray to Mecca/Propaganda/Effigy''
*1982 - ''Metallic Smile/Pray to Mecca/Propaganda/Effigy''
*1983 - ''Total Decline/The Tenant/Gaze''
*1983 - ''Total Decline/The Tenant/Gaze''
*1984 - ''Break/Return To The East/No Motive''
*1984 - ''Break/Return to the East/No Motive''


===Bootlegs===
===Bootlegs===

*1983 - ''May 12, 1983 Leeds Warehouse''
*1983 - ''May 12, 1983 Leeds Warehouse''
*1983 - ''Live in Norwich, Ska Ballroom - May 13, 1983''
*1983 - ''Live in Norwich, Ska Ballroom - May 13, 1983''
Line 63: Line 58:
*2003 - ''The Final Pieces (Bootleg)''
*2003 - ''The Final Pieces (Bootleg)''


===Other Stuff===
===Album appearances===
*1985 - ''The Final Epitaph Live''

*1985 - ''[[The Final Epitaph Live]]''
*1985 - ''The Singles 1982 ~ 85''
*1985 - ''[[The Singles 1982 ~ 85]]''
*1986 - ''In the Beginning - The 1981 Singles''
*1986 - ''[[In the Beginning - The 1981 Singles]]''
*1986 - ''Caught from Behind: Live in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland''
*1986 - ''[[Caught from Behind: Live in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland]]''
⚫
*1992 - ''[[Resurrection (Play Dead album)|CD Release]]''
*1992 - ''Gothic Rock Volume 1''
*1992 - ''Gothic Rock Volume 1''
*1995 - ''Gothic Rock Volume 2: 80's Into 90's''
*1995 - ''Gothic Rock Volume 2: 80's Into 90's''
Line 77: Line 70:
*[[Mankind's Audio Development]] - 1984 by Rob Hickson and Pete Waddleton
*[[Mankind's Audio Development]] - 1984 by Rob Hickson and Pete Waddleton


==References==
===The Beastmaster Generals===
{{reflist}}
In Spring 1986 the remaining members of Play Dead - Hickson, Green and Smith - teamed up with Bob Brimson and Julian Silvester and briefly formed another group, The Beastmaster Generals. The group wrote a few songs and recorded a few demos, but nothing was officially released and the new group quickly dissolved to due lack of interest from the band members themselves.


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.companyofjustice.com - Official Play Dead website]
*[http://www.companyofjustice.com Official Play Dead website]
*[http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-261339-bio--Play-Dead/ Play Dead Biography on Yahoo Music Launch]{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-261339-bio--Play-Dead/ Play Dead Biography on Yahoo Music Launch]{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}


Line 89: Line 82:
[[Category:Musical groups from Oxford]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Oxford]]
[[Category:Situation Two artists]]
[[Category:Situation Two artists]]
[[Category:Fresh Records (UK) artists]]

Latest revision as of 20:20, 8 November 2024

Play Dead were an English rock band from Oxford that grew out of the English punk scene of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band made three studio albums and one-off singles for four different small labels — Fresh Records, Jungle Records, Situation 2 and Clay Records — before forming their own label, Tanz, for their final album, Company of Justice, produced by Conny Plank, which they released in 1985.

The original line-up of Play Dead consisted of Rob Hickson (vocals), Pete Waddleton (bass guitar), Mark "Wiff" Smith (drums) and Re-Vox (guitar). In July 1981, Re-Vox was replaced by Steve Green.

During their active years, Play Dead supported a number of acts, including the likes of Killing Joke, The Cult and The Sisters Of Mercy in the UK. They also appeared on Channel 4's music TV show, The Tube in late 1984.

A string of singles were released (many through Stoke-based Clay Records) from late 1983, throughout 1984 and early 1985. Play Dead toured frequently around the UK and Europe and by 1985, felt they had enough material to be able to put out their first ever live album, Into The Fire, which was released in May of that year. However, against the backdrop of similar artists such as Spear Of Destiny, The Cult, The Sisters Of Mercy and Fields Of The Nephilim, whose success was evident through having higher profiles in the music press, Play Dead struggled to compete.

In 1984, Rob and Pete created the project Mankind's Audio Development (nicknamed M.A.D.). Only one single was recorded, with the two songs "Craving" and "Sunfeast." Waddleton left the group in 1986 and, after a brief period as The Beastmaster Generals, the band dissolved.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]

12" singles

[edit]
  • September 1983 - "Shine/Promise/Gaze" [SIT 28T]
  • March 1984 - "Break/Blood Stains/Blood Stains Pleasure" [12 CLAY 31]
  • July 1984 - "Isabel/Solace (Extended Version)" [12 CLAY 35]
  • 1984 - "Propaganda (1984 Mix)/Sin of Sins (1984 Mix)" [JUNG 17]
  • 1984 - "Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy/Conspiracy (Saigon Mix)" [12 CLAY 40]
  • 1985 - "Sacrosanct/Pale Fire/Holy Holy (Catholic Mix)/Sacrosanct (Heretic Mix)" [12 CLAY 42]
  • 1985 - "This Kind of Heaven/This Kind of Heaven (Serious Mix)/Last Degree" [TANZ 1]
  • 1985 - "Burning Down (MezCal Mix)/Still in Chains/Burning Down" [TANZ 2]

7" singles

[edit]
  • 1981 - "Poison Takes a Hold/Introduction" [FRESH 29]
  • 1981 - "T.V. Eye/Final Epitaph" [FRESH 38]
  • 1982 - "Propaganda/Propaganda (Mix)" [JUNG 2]
  • 1983 - "Shine/Promise" [SIT 28] - #14 UK Indie[5]
  • 1984 - "Break/Blood Stains" [CLAY 31] - #9 UK Indie[6]
  • 1984 - "Isabel/Solace" [CLAY 35] - #9 UK Indie[7]
  • 1984 - "Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy" [CLAY 40] - #18 UK Indie[8]
  • 1984 - "Propaganda (1984 mix)" [JUNG 17] - #17 UK Indie[9]
  • 1985 - "Sacrosanct/Pale Fire" [CLAY 42] - #4 UK Indie[10]
  • 1985 - "This Side of Heaven" [TANZ 1] - #5 UK Indie[11]

BBC Radio 1 - John Peel Sessions

[edit]
  • 1982 - Metallic Smile/Pray to Mecca/Propaganda/Effigy
  • 1983 - Total Decline/The Tenant/Gaze
  • 1984 - Break/Return to the East/No Motive

Bootlegs

[edit]
  • 1983 - May 12, 1983 Leeds Warehouse
  • 1983 - Live in Norwich, Ska Ballroom - May 13, 1983
  • 1983 - Live - July 28, 1983 Hull, Dingwalls / Live October 13, 1983 Hammersmith, Klub Foot
  • 1984 - Live in France at Forum Des Halles - July 1, 1984
  • 1984 - Oct 7th, Kolingsborg, Stockholm, Sweden
  • 1984 - Live in Norrkoping Sweden - October 10, 1984
  • 1985 - Dec 18th 1985, Tufnel Park, Penthouse, London(previously listed as 1984 )
  • 2003 - The Final Pieces (Bootleg)

Album appearances

[edit]
  • 1985 - The Final Epitaph Live
  • 1985 - The Singles 1982 ~ 85
  • 1986 - In the Beginning - The 1981 Singles
  • 1986 - Caught from Behind: Live in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland
  • 1992 - Gothic Rock Volume 1
  • 1995 - Gothic Rock Volume 2: 80's Into 90's
  • 1998 - Gothic Rock Volume 3: Black on Black

Side projects

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  2. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  4. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  5. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  6. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  7. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  8. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  9. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  10. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
  11. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074544/http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/indiehits/p.htm
[edit]
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