The UXB Story...

THE BEGINNING

UXB are a post-punk new wave/power pop band from Cannock, England. Formed in 1978, their first gig was in February '79 as a trio comprising of:

MICK TURNER: DRUMS/VOCALS

MARK READ: GUITAR

COLIN BENNETT: GUITAR/BASS/BACKING VOCALS

Influenced by such bands as The Clash, The Jam and ska/dub reggae, the band's sound was perhaps most similar to The Ruts, with the band's live set a juxtaposition of nihilistic punk-inspired rockers and reggae masterpieces.

Later in 19798 Tony Clamp arrived on bass, but promptly left in early 1980 and joined Bescot Sidings. The following week Dom Roche arrived on vocals, and Col Bennett switched to bass. The line-up was therefore complete:

DOM: VOCALS

COL: BASS

MARK: GUITARS

MICK: DRUMS/BACKING VOCALS

Immediately the band's sound seemed to gel and tighten with the result being that the legendary Little Winston - local DJ and record label owner - offered the band the chance to record a session at Ginger Studio, Aldridge, West Midlands. They recorded Crazy Today, Mr. Fixit, Imagination and Jamaica Road. Later that year they recorded 48 Hours, Over The Wall, 2 Steps, Not Enough Time and In The Q.

THE SINGLE

The resulting double A-side single: Crazy Today/Mr. Fixit (Crazy Plane Records SP002) was produced by Little Winston/UXB, engineered by Phil Dawson and 1000 copies were released 20th June 1980. It was played by BBC Radio 1 DJs John Peel, Mike Read (no relation!), Peter Powell and also all the local West Midlands radio stations.

The single was invaluable in enabling the band to play better quality local gigs, such as Club Laffayette in Wolverhampton, JB's Club of Dudley and all the major local West Midlands Universities and Colleges.

Due to the band leaving Crazy Plane records, a follow-up single 2 Steps/In The Q/48 Hours was tragically never released comercially, the only copies being pressed were some white-label acetates which were distributed to the usual DJs and radio stations. 2 Steps was aired by John Peel on BBC Radio 1.

KNOTT MANAGEMENT

UXB then signed to Knott Management of Birmingham (Don Evitts) who were able to get the band some recording time with Dennis Bovell of the reggae band Matumbi. Dennis, a highly respected songwriter/musician/producer was impressed with the band's songs and three tracks were recorded at his Studio 87 recording studio in South London. The songs were Go!, Not Enough Time and Imagination. Unable to get a recording company to take these songs, the band carried on gigging in the West Midlands.

Dom Roche left the band in mid-1981 to be replaced by Pete Higton.

THE END OF A CHAPTER

The band played their final gig in December 1981 at the Star Hotel in Shifnal, Salop. The band split up but continued to play....

Dom Roche founded the band Balaam And The Angel, whilst the creative nucleus of UXB, Col Bennett and Mick Turner, went on to form the band Fire In Cairo with guitarist Paul Brindley.

A NEW BEGINNING...?

In September 1999, the band's old roadie Des McNamara (a.k.a. Kermit) recieved a letter from Detour Records saying they were interested in featuring UXB on a compilation CD/LP of obscure bands from 1977-82 entitled Bored Teenagers Volume 2. The band members were also informed that copies of the Crazy Today single were fetching a small fortune on auction, and was especially in demand in Japan.

Two songs were consequently released on Bored Teenagers, Crazy Today and the previously unreleased Over The Wall.

Furthermore, in October 2001, TWO singles were released in Japan on 1977 Records - Crazy Today/Mr Fixit and 48 Hours/2 Steps/Over The Wall. All enquiries to Nobutada Yaita: 1977recs@cablenet.ne.jp The singles, which are on 7" vinyl only, cost 1200 Yen each.

Due to this increased interest the 4 original band members (Dom, Mick, Col, Mark) have REFORMED for live gigs and the option of writing and recording again. In 1999 Col and Mark formed a new band called Atom Tan, so two of the members have been playing together again for some time.

On the 22nd May 2001 the 4 original members rehearsed together for the first time in 20 years! They now practise together on a regular basis in preparation for gigs. On the 2nd March 2002 UXB played their first gig in over 20 years at The Garage in London.

IF YOU WANT UXB TO PLAY A GIG ANYWHERE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.