| The Defects | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1979–1984 2010-present |
| Labels | WXYZ |
| Associated acts | Rabies, Ashanti, Doghouse |
| Past members | |
| Ian Murdock Marcus Duke Jeff Gilmore Glenn Kingsmore Gary Smyth |
|
The Defects were a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, formed in 1979.
Contents |
The band formed in 1978 with a line-up of Ian "Buck" Murdock (vocals), Marcus "Dukie" Duke (bass), Geoff Gilmore(bass), and Glenn Kingsmore (drums).[1] After playing locally, they recorded their first demo, but when this failed to gain them a record deal, they started their own Casualty Records label and issued their debut single, "Dance (Til You Drop)".[1] The single sold all two thousand copies, and brought the band to the attention of the UK music press. Melody Maker journalist Carol Clerk befriended the band and recommended them to John Curd, manager of WXYZ records, who signed them to his label.[1] Gary Smyth replaced Fenton on bass, and The Defects moved to London in 1982 and embarked on the six-week So What UK tour with labelmates The Anti-Nowhere League, Chelsea and Chron Gen. The tour was filmed by Stewart Copeland (with backing from brother Miles) with a view to cinema release but it was never issued.[2] A second single, "Survival" was issued in 1982, going on to reach number 8 in the UK Indie Chart.[3] The band recorded their debut (and only) album, Defective Breakdown in 1982. With Curd looking for ways to gain crossover success for the bands on his label, he persuaded The Defects to record a cover version of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds". With producer Ray Shulman on keyboards, the single's release in early 1984 coincided with the decline in popularity of second-wave punk, and did not sell well. With control of the band's destiny slipping away, Murdock left the band after the release of "Suspicious Minds". The band continued, playing a gig supporting 999 with Kingsmore on vocals, before Murdock rejoined to play in support of The Clash in Belfast. The band then split more permanently, with all members returning to Belfast except Duke, who stayed in London.[1] Kingsmore joined Western Justice with former members of Rabies, including Murdock's brother Gary, and was later a member of Ashanti.
Murdock revived the Defects name in 1996 for a one-off performance at a punk festival, with his brother drums, which was filmed and released on video by Barn End Video as Live At The Pavilion 12.10.96. He later started the punk and ska covers band Doghouse.[1]