Foreign Legion (band)
| Foreign Legion | |
|---|---|
 Foreign Legion live in 1986 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales |
| Genres | Punk, Street punk, Oi! |
| Years active | 1984–1991, 2000–present |
| Labels |
Aggrobeat Rebel Sound KB Records Sliver Records Rusty Knife Records/Marchiato A Fuoco/Oi! Shop Trooper Records Durty Mick Records Dirty Faces Upstart Productions DSS Records Venture Schlawiner Records Rent a Racket |
| Associated acts |
Impact[1] 8.4%[2] Demob Doc Savage Blind Justice[3] Dead On Arrival Society |
| Website | Facebook page [4] |
| Members |
M.H. - vocals Simon Bendon - guitar David Linehan - bass Glyn (Sid Lovely) Bendon - drums |
| Past members |
(Guitar) Paul (Marshon) Marsh. |
Foreign Legion is a punk band from South Wales.[5]
1984–1991
Foreign Legion formed in 1984 from the ashes of a band called Society, later Dead On Arrival.[5] Dead on Arrival had one song on 1984's Bullsheep Detector album.[6] Following the name change to Foreign Legion (due partly to people shortening it to DOA, which could cause confusion with the Canadian band of that name[7]) and a number of line up changes (drummers in particular) the band released their first EP in 1986, on their own Rent a Racket label[8][9] with the line up of M.H. on vocals, Lyn Murphy on guitar, Helen James on bass and Paul (Marshon) Marsh on drums.[5] Later line up changes included Paul Marsh introducing keyboards to the band for a short while, Andrew Heggie taking over on guitar and Steven Thomas on bass.
Despite many live shows in London, Wales and France, three years passed before Surf City their second EP was released, with their first full-length album entitled Welcome to Fort Zinderneuf also released that same year, 1989. By this time a new line up had evolved with Mark (Jolly) Williams on bass (from local band Blind Justice,[3][10][11] who Andrew Heggie soon joined), together with Peter Giles on guitar and Ben Stansfield on drums, retaining only M.H. on vocals.
During the 1980s the band played regular slots in the famous 100 Club and supported the likes of UK Subs, The Vibrators, The Partisans, Picture Frame Seduction, The Adicts, Major Accident, Toy Dolls, Angelic Upstarts, 999, Broken Bones and others[12] including Bérurier Noir for one of their first concerts overseas in France, following gig exchanges with Burning Ambitions from Le Havre. They also supported The Alarm,[13] Joe Strummer & the Latino Rockabilly War[14] and the UK Subs when they visited the band's home town of Merthyr Tydfil.
The band split up in 1991.[5]
2000–present
Foreign Legion reformed in 2000, with members from before the 1991 split; M.H. on vocals, Mark (Jolly) Williams on guitar, Andrew Heggie on bass and Ben Stansfield on drums.[5] They released a split album with Major Accident called Cry of the Legion, before their next full-length album What Goes Around, Comes Around, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash.[15][16][5] During the early 2000s the band released EPs and played in mainland Europe and USA with the Dropkick Murphys, Major Accident, The Templars, NY Relics and the UK Subs, including a show at New York's CBGBs.[12] In 2007 the album Death Valley was recorded, featuring more new material as well as a re-worked version of Message From Nowhere from the first EP.[5][17][18] By 2008 Jarrad (Nöir) Owens and Paul Black had joined the band. This lineup re-recorded six songs written by Mark (Jolly) Williams at SKWAD HQ South Wales - the session captured the band's newly invigorated live sound; with double kick drums and distorted fuzz bass the thrash and metal influences of the new rhythm section were clearly evident. These recordings eventually became the band's contribution to Reality Bites a split 12 track CD album with US band Sledgeback[19][20][5] and also appeared bootlegged, with an incorrect lineup credited.
Following an appearance at the Legendary TJs in Newport in 2008, supporting the Anti-Nowhere League, guitarist Williams posted a statement on the band's Myspace account announcing his departure; Black and Owens soon followed.[5]
Members of local Caerphilly punk covers band Doc Savage joined M.H. in Foreign Legion for a short while before a new line up emerged with the drummer from 1980s Cwmbran punk band Impact (who also featured on the 1984 Bullsheep Detector album) Glyn (Sid Lovely) Bendon, together with Simon Bendon on guitar and Canis Humanus on bass.
A split EP with German band Riot Company was released in 2011,[12][7] with a further split EP released in 2012 with Italian band Cervelli Stanki. The band were now back on the road with gigs including the Rebellion festival alongside bands including PiL, Rancid, Buzzcocks and Social Distortion.[21][22]
Demob bassist Steve Zuki joined the band in 2013, with live performances including two German festivals: Punk and Disorderly[23] and Back On The Streets,[24] a tour of northern Italy and performances in the UK, including headlining the first day at Gosport Punk Festival[25] (with the UK Subs headlining the other day) and support slots alongside Sham 69, 999, Stiff Little Fingers and The Men They Couldn't Hang plus a return to the Rebellion festival alongside bands including Sham 69, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, GBH, Discharge, Peter Hook and The Light, TV Smith and many more.
A new album Light At The End Of The Tunnel was recorded in 2013 and released on Germany's KB Records in August 2013.[26] Featuring one song sung by new bassist Zuki, the album features a number of songs referencing the band's Welsh working-class background, including Market Trader, Regeneration (Council List), and Miners (The Fathers' Sacrifice). The cover image by fellow Merthyr resident Gus Payne[27] depicts a Welsh miner kneeling with his hand on the hilt of a sword planted into the ground,[28] possibly referencing the sword in the stone myth and, along with the album title and the closing track Phoenix From The Flame, provides a positive theme with hope for the future. Vocalist M.H. confirms this intent to project hope for the future; "Light At The End Of The Tunnel is meant to give hope and strength to all the working class people all over the word, that the shining sword...".[29]
Discography
(Solo releases in bold) [30]
Albums
| Year of release | Title | Producer | Foreign Legion tracks (* track positions in brackets for mixed split release) |
Personnel | Split artist | Label | Format | Vinyl colour | Cat. No. |
| 2014 | Light At The End Of The Tunnel[28][31] | Lyndon Price[27] | Jenny What A Place To Be Regeneration (Council List) My Radio Hey Girl George Best Stalker Market Trader Three Years (The Untold Story) Miners (The Fathers' Sacrifice) Drunken Heroes Phoenix From The Flame |
MH (vocals) Simon (guitar) Steve Zuki (bass/vocals) Sid (drums) |
Aggrobeat / Rebel Sound | Vinyl | Green-mint Green with red splatter |
ABLP015 | |
| 2013 | KB Records | CD | 3221 | ||||||
| 2010 | Reality Bites [19] | *(2) Sunset On Babylon (3) Wake Up (6) Obvious (7) Johnny (10) Fake Gangsta (11) Wasted |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Jarrad Noir (bass) Paul Black (drums/backing vocals) |
Sledgeback | Sliver Records | CD | 367524 | ||
| 2007 | Death Valley[32][33] | Lots Of Fun Alright Strange Town Rat Race Message From Nowhere She Loves Me Not Take A Look Party In Praque Where Do We Go Sunset On Babylon Death Valley Lots Of Fun (Reprise) |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Frank (guitar) Martyn (bass) Stan (drums) |
Durty Mick Records | CD | DMR0004-3 | |||
| 2002 | What Goes Around Comes Around | Mick Jones | Wake Up Valleys Mentality Don't Ask Me Why Wish You Were Here My Town Another Day FL Powergames Smiling Assassin Obvious Wheres Johnny Gone |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Frank (guitar) Eggy (bass) Stan (drums) |
DSS Records | CD / Cassette | DSS043 | ||
| 2000 | Cry of the Legion | Clockwork Pop And Orange Jump Open Your Eyes Fake Gangster Hate Machine Just A Faze |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Eggy (bass) Stan (drums) |
Major Accident | DSS Records | CD / Vinyl | Black | DSS024 | |
| 1990 | Welcome to Fort Zinderneuf | Ian Wallace and Foreign Legion | Surf City Keep Pushing Back What A Place To Be Message From Nowhere Get Off My Back Gentleman Talk Dirty Stop Messing Around Why Take My Life Away What Am I Gonna Do Beau Geste Those Were The Days |
MH (vocals) Peter (guitar) Jolly (bass) Stan (drums) |
Venture Records | Vinyl | Black | VR/FL 100 |
7 inch vinyl
| Year of release | Title | Foreign Legion track(s) | Personnel | Split artist(s) | Label | Vinyl colour(s) | Cat. No. |
| 2015 | Oi! The International Street-Punk League | Nowhere Left To Hide Our World Today |
MH (vocals) Simon (guitar) D Linehan (bass) Sid (drums) |
The Shame | Aggrobeat | Blue | ABEP022 |
| Rebel Sound | Red | REB1038 | |||||
| 2012 | Clockwork Kids Still Alive! | Market Traders Drunken Heroes |
MH (vocals) Simon (guitar) Dog (bass) Sid (drums) |
Cervelli Stanki | Rusty Knife Records Marchiato A Fuoco Oi! Shop |
Black | |
| 2011 | Salute To The Boys | Phoenix From The Flames Another Bullshit Night |
Riot Company | KB Records | Picture disc Black |
KBR 061 | |
| 2007 | "Live split"[34] | Where's Johnny Gone Another Day |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Frank (guitar) Martyn (bass) Stan (drums) |
Suburban Lockdown | Durty Mick Records | Black | DMR0002-7 |
| 2007 | Send In the Legion (2 different covers) | Powergames Wake Up |
Paris Violence | Trooper Records | Yellow | KBR 022 | |
| 2000 | Punk Rock Jukebox | Where's Johnny Gone Rain Alright (Stick Together) |
MH (vocals) Jolly (guitar) Eggy (bass) Stan (drums) |
DSS Records | Black | DSS 010 | |
| 2000 | The Years Gone By EP | Wake Up Don't Ask Me Why What Are You Doing Now Jump |
Upstart Productions | Green Black |
UP7004 | ||
| 2000 | The We Don't Care About Rock 'n' Roll | There Ain't No Punks 17 Years Of Hell* (*Partisans cover version) |
District | Dirty Faces | Marbled | DF 89/01 | |
| 1990 | 1984 Street Trash (Packaged with "1984 The Fourth" 12 inch album) | Get Off My Back | MH (vocals) Peter (guitar) Jolly (bass) Stan (drums) |
Active Minds Disgorge Slaver |
New Wave Records | Black | NW-033 |
| 1989 | Surf City EP | Surf City What A Place To Be Why Take My Life Away Those Were The Days |
MH (vocals) Peter (guitar) Jolly (bass) Stan (drums) Pandy (drums) |
Schlawiner Records | Green Black |
S 05 | |
| 1986 | Trenchline EP | Trenchline Message From Nowhere National Affairs Lots Of Fun |
MH (vocals) Lyn (guitar) Helen (bass/vocals) Marshon (drums) |
Rent a Racket | Black | RRR0001 |
Compilations
| Year of release | Title | Foreign Legion track(s) | Personnel | Other bands included | Label | Format | Cat. No. |
| 1996 | Oi! The Rarities, Volume 2 [35] | Message From Nowhere Trenchline |
MH (vocals) Lyn (guitar) Helen (bass/vocals) Marshon (drums) |
Crash Anti-Social The Squats Special Duties Condemned 84 Resistance 77 Frankie Flame |
Captain Oi! Records | Vinyl | AHOY LP 46 |
| 1989 | Pop Oi![36] | Surf City | MH (vocals) Peter (guitar) Jolly (bass) Stan (drums) Pandy (drums) |
Slaughter and The Dogs The Crack The Hoopers Criminal Class Five O American Eagle The Kicker Boys Frankie Flame Moonstomp Guttersnipe Army The Strike Madhatters The Resort The Business |
Link Records | Vinyl | LINK LP 095 |
As Dead On Arrival
| Year of release | Title | Dead On Arrival track | Personnel | Other bands included | Label | Format | Cat. No. |
| 1984 | Bullsheep Detector [6] | Child Molester | MH (vocals) Truskie (guitar) Alan (bass) Michael (drums) |
Icons of Filth Impact Death Patrol No Choice Sharpnel Yr Anhrefn Soldier Dolls Armistice Classified Protest Reality Attack Secluded Abnormal Condemned No Label Skull Attack Living Legends Pseudo Sadists Picture Frame Seduction |
Anti-Society Records | Vinyl | ANTI 020 |
Bibliography
- Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984 by Ian Glasper (four pages on the band). Cherry Red Books (2004). ISBN 1-901447-24-3[37]
References
- ↑ Archived 23 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "8.4% | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2 "Blind Justice | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion Welsh Punk". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Punk & Oi In The Uk". www.punkoiuk.co.uk. 2000-08-23. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2
- 1 2 "Punk Rock '77 thru Today: Foreign Legion ***New Interview***". Punkrock77thrutoday.blogspot.co.uk. 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "SXSW | Culture". The Guardian. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at". Last.fm. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ http://link2wales.co.uk/south-wales-a-m/south-wales-b/
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/artist/688352-Blind-Justice-3
- 1 2 3 Archived 18 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Gig: 11/17/1987, The Alarm, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre | The Alarm". Thealarm.com. 1987-11-17. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Ruck Riot’N Roll | Ian Bone". Ianbone.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ Robb, John (2003-01-01). "Album Review: Foreign Legion - S/T / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "SoundClick artist: FOREIGN LEGION - Punk Rock Wales". Soundclick.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion Bio | Foreign Legion Career". MTV. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion". Welsh Icons. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2 "Vive Le Rock!". Vive Le Rock!. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Sledgeback & Foreign Legion | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Rebellion UK 2012 line-up and rumours". eFestivals.co.uk. 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Rebellion Festival 2012 Line Up". Virtualfestivals.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Punk & Disorderly - The Festival". www.punk-disorderly.de. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Back On The Streets Festival". B-o-t-s.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Gosport Punk Fest. – FFRUKiT!". Ffruk.com. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "plentyMarkets on-demand eCommerce Solution". Kb-records-shop.de. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2 "Foreign Legion (3) - Light At The End Of The Tunnel (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- 1 2 "Foreign Legion - 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel' (KB Records)". Uberrock.co.uk. 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "FOREIGN LEGION (Wales – Oi!) | oioimusic.com". Oioimusicblog.wordpress.com. 2013-11-03. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion (3) Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion – Light At The End Of The Tunnel (ABLP015) | AGGROBEAT.com". Aggrobeatblog.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑
- ↑ "Foreign Legion - Death Valley - Dmir04 - F - Cd - by Durty Mick Records - Born in 1982 Died in 1990". Punkrockcds.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Foreign Legion / Suburban Lockdown - Split - Vinyl". RevHQ.com. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Oi!: The Rarities, Vol. 2 CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2005-11-01. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "OI! the Discography Page: Link Records Discography". Oithediscography.blogspot.co.uk. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk, 1980-1984 - Ian Glasper - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
External links
- Foreign Legion's Facebook page
- Foreign Legion's Youtube
- 2012 interview with vocalist Marcus Howells
- 2012 interview with vocalist Marcus Howells
- 2012 interview with vocalist Marcus Howells
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