The Outsiders were an English punk rock group, formed in 1975 in Wimbledon, England and consisting of singer-guitarist Adrian Borland, bass guitarist Bob Lawrence and drummer Adrian "Jan" Janes.[1] In 1978 Graham "Green" Bailey replaced Lawrence at the bass and then he and Borland would go on to form the critically successful post-punk band the Sound. However, in sharp contrast with them, The Outsiders’ music received generally negative reviews regarding the context of their music.
The Outsiders | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Syndrome (1975) |
| Origin | Wimbledon, England |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1975–1979 |
| Spinoffs | The Sound |
| Past members |
|
History edit
The Outsiders formed in Wimbledon, London, England in 1975 . They were originally called "Syndrome" but changed their name to the Outsiders in 1976, inspired by Albert Camus' novel The Outsider.[2]
Their debut studio album, Calling on Youth, was self-released on their Raw Edge label in May 1977,[3] and won them unfavourable reviews: "Apple-cheeked Ade has a complexion that would turn a Devon milkmaid green with envy", reported Julie Burchill of the New Musical Express.[4] It was the first self-released punk album in the UK.[3]
The band released an EP in November 1977, One to Infinity. NME writer Tony Parsons commented: "tuneless, gormless, gutless... I like them a lot".[5] The EP was praised in a less contradictory manner by other critics, including Mick Mercer.[6]
A second album, Close Up, was released in 1979. This received better, but still cautious, reviews from the press.[7] A NME review concluded that it was a patchy album, but from "a band with a future".[8]
After this album, Lawrence and Janes left, and Borland went on to front the critically successful post-punk group the Sound.[9][10][11]
Borland died 26 April 1999.[12][13]
In 1993, Three Lines Records issued the Vital Years compilation.
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
- Calling on Youth (1977, Raw Edge Records)
- Close Up (1978, Raw Edge Records)
EPs edit
- One to Infinity (1977, Raw Edge Records)
Compilation albums edit
- Vital Years (1993, Three Lines Records)
References edit
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. p. 592. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "The Outsiders | Biography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ a b Poulsen, Henrik (2008). "The Outsiders". 77: The Year of Punk and New Wave. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Burchill, Julie (October 1977). "The Outsiders – Calling on Youth". NME. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Parsons, Tony (26 November 1977). "[One to Infinity review]". New Musical Express. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Mercer, Mick (1978). "[One to Infinity review]". [Magazine unknown]. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Hall, Philip (12 April 1979). "[Close Up review]". Record Mirror. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Hamblett, John (7 April 1979). "[Close Up review]". New Musical Express. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "The Sound Microsite". renascent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 October 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Brittle Heaven – The Official Adrian Borland Website". Brittle Heaven. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Brittle Heaven – The Official Adrian Borland Website". Brittle Heaven. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Pierre Perrone (17 May 1999). "Obituary: Adrian Borland". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Health Fear Led to Death". Wimbledon Guardian. 15 July 1999. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2015.