Warsaw Pakt

Warsaw Pakt was a short-lived punk group which were active in the years of 1977-78,^[1] though some of its members had heritages linking them to the 1960s underground. This was apparent in their sound, which was a sophisticated punk thrash with plenty of energy but also more structure than some contemporaries.

Drummer Lucas Fox had been in the first incarnation of Motörhead with Larry Wallis of the legendary Pink Fairies, while Colquhoun's other work includes spells in The Deviants and Pink Fairies reunions.

Their claim to fame is to have recorded an album (Needle Time) that was in the shops 24 hours after the first note was recorded (viz the session ended at 10 p.m. on Saturday 26 November 1977 and the album was ready to be sold by 7a.m. on Sunday 27 November 1977.). The band was trying to make a point about technology in doing this, and the album sleeve was a 12" square brown bag with stickers and rubber stamping to display the band name and album title.

After Warsaw Pakt, guitarist Andy Colquhoun joined Brian James' Tanz Der Youth, subsequently moved on to the band The Pink Fairies, and then a band with ex-MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer.

When Needle Time was deleted by Island Records within a week of release (after reputedly selling 5,000 copies), the band released a few out-takes under the title "See You In Court" before evaporating.

Also released a 7" EP on Island, Safe and Warm.

The seminal post-punk band Joy Division (at one time called Warsaw), changed its name to the former in late 1977 for fear of being confused with Warsaw Pakt.

Needle Time Album Track Listing with Composer Credits

Side 1:

1. It's Not True (P. Townshend)
2. Even Money (Colquhoun/Day/Manly)
3. Fruit Machine (Colquhoun/Day)
4. Dog Fight (Colquhoun/Day)
5. Fast Eddie (Colquhoun/Farren)
6. Sick & Tired (Colquhoun/Day).

Side 2:

1. Nose Bleed (Colquhoun/Farren)
2. Steppin' Outa Line (Colquhoun/Day)
3. Believe Me Honey (Colquhoun/Farren)
4. Lorraine (Colquhoun/Day/Manly)
5. Safe And Warm (Colquhoun/Farren)
6. Speeding (Colquhoun/Day).

Farren being Mick Farren and P. Townshend being The Who's Pete Townshend.

The copy I have has the tracks as follows (with chatting and clapping in between songs) Brown Cardboard sleeve, with printed insert, cat. No. ILPS 9515.

Side 1:

1. It's Not True (P. Townshend)
2. Even Money (Colquhoun/Day/Manly)
3. Fruit Machine (Colquhoun/Day)
4. Dog Fight (Colquhoun/Day)
5. Fast Eddie (Colquhoun/Farren)
6. Steppin' Outa Line (Colquhoun/Day)
7. Sick & Tired (Colquhoun/Day)

Side 2:

1. Nose Bleed (Colquhoun/Farren)
2. More Like A Man
3. Believe Me Honey (Colquhoun/Farren)
4. Lorraine (Colquhoun/Day/Manly)
5. Angel
6. Speeding (Colquhoun/Day).
7. Safe And Warm (Colquhoun/Farren)

Personnel

• Jimmy Coull (vocals)
• Lucas Fox (drums)
• Andy Colquhoun (lead guitar)
• John Manly (rhythm guitar)
• Chris Underhill (bass)

References