The Destructors (band)

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The Destructors
Origin Peterborough, England
Genre(s) Punk rock
Years active 1977-1984, 2006-present
Label(s) Void, Paperback, Carnage Benelux, Criminal Damage, Death Records, Illuminated, Radical Change, Rowdy Farrago, Captain Oi!
Associated acts 6ck 6ck 6ck, Speed, The Gestapo, Five Go Mad In Europe, The Now
Members
Allen Adams
Dave Colton
Steve Rolls
Rob Baylis
Ian Stapleton
Former members
Phil Atterson
Dip (Paul Wicks)
Joe MacColl
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Butler
Neil Singleton
Dave Ivermee
Andy McDonald
Graham Butt
Nigel Davis
Steve Crosby
Lee Reynolds
Simon Stabler

The Destructors (aka The Blanks, Destructors V) are a punk rock band from Peterborough, England, formed in 1977 and active with a varying lie-up until 1984. They re-formed as Destructors 666 in 2006.

Contents

[edit] History

The band was formed by former 6ck 6ck 6ck members Allen Adams (vocals), Phil Atterson (guitar), and Dip (Paul Wicks) (bass), along with a varying line-up including Andy Butler (drums).[1] They changed their name to The Blanks before their controversial debut 1979 single, "The Northern Ripper" (released at the time that The Yorkshire Ripper was on the loose).[1] The Destructors name was resurrected by Adams and Jackson with a new line-up of Neil Singleton (vocals), Andy McDonald (drums), and 'Dave' (lead guitar), with Jackson and Dave replaced by Dave Ithermee (rhythm guitar) and Graham "Gizz" Butt (lead guitar, formerly of The System, among other bands) before their next release, 1982's Senseless Violence EP.[1] Butt took on the job of writing about half of the band's music, with Adams writing the lyrics. Singleton remembered the songs: "They could be very complicated and a right bastard to remember. He also seemed to have a fixation with serial killers!".[2] A series of EPs and two albums followed before 1984's final album Bomb Hanoi, Bomb Saigon, Bomb Disneyland. The band split shortly after Bomb Hanoi, their records never living up to their live shows, and the band members falling out.[1] According to Singleton: "I don't think we ever made a really good record! They never ever lived up to our live shows; We were so much better on stage".[2] Of the frictions within the band, Butt said: "Neil couldn't get on with Alan, and me and Dave didn't want Andy on drums any more. We weren't happy with Alan organising everything and neglecting his bass-playing role".[2] Adams immediately formed a new band, Five Go Mad In Europe, and resurrected the band name as Destructors V in 1984. Singleton went on to front Trench Fever.[2] Butt went on to form The Desecrators, joined English Dogs, and later formed Janus Stark, also playing guitar with The Prodigy.[2]

The band name was resurrected again in 2006 as Destructors 666, with former members Adams, Dave Colton, and Steve Rolls joined by a (largely) new group of musicians. They released a series of EPs from 2006 onwards and continue to perform live.

[edit] Discography

Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[3]

[edit] Singles

  • "The Northern Ripper" (1979) Void (as The Blanks)
  • Senseless Violence EP (1982) Paperback (#33)
  • Religion... There Is No Religion EP (1982) Carnage Benelux (#34)
  • Jailbait EP (1982) Illuminated
  • Forces Of Law EP (1983) Illuminated (#26)
  • Cry Havoc and Unleash The Dogs EP (1983) Criminal Damage (#31)
  • "Electronic Church" (1983) free with Trees and Flowers magazine
  • "TV Eye" (1984) Criminal Damage (as Destructors V)
Destructors 666
  • Tracks on 3 Split EP's (2006) Rowdy Farrago
  • "06:06:06" (2006) Rowdy Farrago
  • Tracks on 2 Split EP's (2007) Rowdy Farrago
  • "Sichien Lassen Mit Fremden Machtem" (2007) Rowdy Farrago
  • Caveat Emptor EP (2008) Rowdy Farrago

[edit] Albums

  • Exorcise The Demons of Youth (1982) Illuminated (#12)
  • Armageddon In Action (live) (1983) Radical Change (#10)
  • Merry Christmas and Fuck Off (1983) Death Records
  • Bomb Hanoi, Bomb Saigon, Bomb Disneyland (1984) Carnage Benelux
  • Punk Singles Collection (2006) Captain Oi!
Destructors 666
  • Many Were Killed, Few Were Chosen (2007) Rowdy Farrago

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Glasper, Ian (2004). Burning Britain: The History of Punk 1980-1984. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 1-901447-24-3. 
  3. ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4. 

[edit] External links