The Prats
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Prats | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Inverness, Scotland, Great Britain |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock, Post-punk, Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1977 – 1981 |
| Label(s) | Fast EP Earcom 1 Rough Trade Shops One Little Indian |
| Website | Official web site |
| Former members | |
| Paul McLaughlin David Macguire Greg Maguire Tom Robinson Jeff Maguire Elspeth McLeod |
|
The Prats is a Edinburgh based punk rock group, active from 1977 to 1981. More recently, their single General Davis was featured in the opening credits of Jonathan Demme's 2004 film, The Manchurian Candidate.
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[edit] Recording History
The group was founded in 1977 by four high school friends: Paul McLaughlin, David Maguire, Greg Maguire, and Tom Robinson. While their instruments were basic - including a cardboard drum kit - they were able to quickly produce a demo tape which they sent to a local indie label Fast Product, who also produced the Human League. Inspired by The Slits and Mekons, the Prats debuted on the Fast EP Earcom 1.[1]
In 1979, the band recorded a session with John Peel,[2] who was cited as saying "... this session has put me in a good mood for the rest of the weekend... it's terrific...a great session!"[citation needed] Peel also offered his fee from a DJing appearance to finance a single release. A series of singles then followed, including "General Davis" and "Die Todten Reyten Schnell," which was released on a German indie label.
A number of line-up changes saw Elspeth McLeod joining to provide additional guitar (including on the single "General Davis") and Jeff Maguire taking over bass duties from Tom Robinson.
In 1980, the EP "The 1990s Pop" was released on Rough Trade Music. This record contained four tracks: "Disco Pope," "Nothing," "TV Set," and "Noboty Noticed." "Disco Pope" received significant airplay under John Peel and was re-released in 2003 on Rough Trade Shops' compilation CD Post Punk Volume 1.
The end of school in 1981 meant the end of the Prats. Paul McLaughlin was quoted as saying “Bands are like marriages between four people. You just stop getting on with each other.”[citation needed]
McLaughlin, now living in Chelmsford, has released one solo single, "Party Girl." He has since then given up on music and is currently an executive with the National Union of Journalists; Dave, Jeff, Greg, Tom and Elspeth all live in the Edinburgh area.
[edit] The Manchurian Candidate soundrack
With the appearance of the song "General Davis" on the 2004 soundtrack to The Manchurian Candidate, starring Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Prats, resulting in the release of a compilation CD, Now that's what I call Prats music released by One Little Indian in 2005.[3]
