S*M*A*S*H
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S*M*A*S*H are a punk trio who enjoyed brief notoriety in the early 1990s in the UK. S*M*A*S*H was formed by Ed Borrie (vocals, guitar), Salvatorre Alessi (credited as Salv) (bass), and Rob Hague (drums) in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, England.
The band's sound recalled the late 1970s and early 1980s punk and New Wave bands. The British music press were extremely enthusiastic about the band creating a non-existent scene called New Wave of New Wave, along with similar UK bands of the time such as Echobelly, Sleeper, Compulsion and These Animal Men. Most bands strongly disliked the term.
The band's second single was a tribute to feminism called "Lady Love your C*nt". It appeared on their debut mini album "S*M*A*S*H" which was a compilation of their first two limited edition 7" singles, and was well received by critics. The band made some memorable appearances on UK late night music TV programmes such as Naked City, when a mob of crazed fans stormed the stage to share the limelight, as well as some stirring live performances, including a collaboration with Billy Bragg during an Anti-Nazi League rally.
With a record deal obtained, the band toured tirelessly, increasing press coverage and attention from fans by playing small venues for low prices, literally bringing their music to the masses. Playing gigs almost every night of the year, the trio still found time to laugh at themselves and their critics, occasionally performing under the name S*H*I*T*E.
The trio made a memorable appearance on Top of the Pops, singing "Shame" live to a backing track which had been recorded at a studio especially for the programme. They became the first to appear on the BBC's flagship chart show without officially releasing a single - their debut EP reaching number 26 in the album charts.
The band's finest moment was arguably the single "I Want to Kill Somebody", an angry and passionate list of members of the current UK Conservative government, and how the band though that each should be disposed of. The song had an appropriately controversial video in which Salv appeared to bite off John Major's penis. In the song the band stated that they did not think that the people named should actually be killed, but simply that they believed that the world would be a better place had they never existed. The single was only available in the shops for one day in May 1994 and there was enough press interest to ensure a UK chart hit. Not surprisingly the song was banned on most radio stations and was heavily censored on Radio One's top forty programme, and there was a brief tabloid backlash which worked in the band's favour.
Their debut full-length album, "Self Abused", was not a commercial success; due perhaps to some difficult production and a release date which coincided with new albums from the period's top acts, however, the group remained a favorite of critics.
Although renowned for their heavy, unapologetic political anthems, such as "Bang Bang Bang", Borrie's writing also displayed a sensitive and highly literate intelligence, most notably in slower songs such as "Oh Ovary" and album track "Time" which features the memorable line, "I may never live to see Machiavelli, on my telly."
The band recorded a single for Seattle label Sub Pop, but S*M*A*S*H remained virtually unknown outside the UK, despite a whistle-stop tour of America and support slots across Europe. The EP "Another Love Song E.P." followed in 1995 with a typically generous selection of tracks, before the group released their final single, "Rest of My Life", a year later. The band split up in 1996. The band did not fit into the Britpop mould as some other New Wave of New Wave bands did (such as Sleeper and Echobelly) and consequently their releative lack of further success compared to their former contemporaries was disappointing.
In 1997 bass player Salv joined Carter USM as a full time member, but in 2004 the trio reformed, recording a number of tracks for a forthcoming EP and playing several gigs around the UK.
