400 Blows (British band)
Encyclopedia
400 Blows were a British
industrial
/post punk band
founded in 1981.
, South London
by Edward Beer in 1981 along with two friends, Alexander Fraser and Rob. Their debut single
was released on their own Concrete Productions record label
in 1982. In 1983 they were signed to the Illuminated label and subsequently released an album
, "...if I kissed her I'd have to kill her first..." (a quote from serial killer Edmund Kemper
to his sister, who was teasing him about wanting to kiss his teacher). In 1985 they released a single, "Movin'", described by Adrian Thrills in the New Musical Express as 'a spiked reworking of the 1976 Brass Construction
dance classic'. It reached 54 in the UK Singles Chart
. By this time the line up was Beer, Anthony Thorpe, and Lea, formerly the female half of the duo Tom Boy. Scott Fraser continues to be a leading light in the alternative/underground music movement.
Thorpe went on to run the Language record label.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
/post punk band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
founded in 1981.
History
400 Blows were formed in CroydonCroydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
by Edward Beer in 1981 along with two friends, Alexander Fraser and Rob. Their debut single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
was released on their own Concrete Productions record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in 1982. In 1983 they were signed to the Illuminated label and subsequently released an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, "...if I kissed her I'd have to kill her first..." (a quote from serial killer Edmund Kemper
Edmund Kemper
Edmund Emil "Big Ed" Kemper III , also known as "The Co-ed Killer", is an American serial killer who was active in California in the early 1970s. He started his criminal life by shooting both his grandparents when he was 15 years old. Kemper later killed and dismembered six female hitchhikers in...
to his sister, who was teasing him about wanting to kiss his teacher). In 1985 they released a single, "Movin'", described by Adrian Thrills in the New Musical Express as 'a spiked reworking of the 1976 Brass Construction
Brass Construction
Brass Construction was an American funk group formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1968. They were originally known as Dynamic Soul, and went on to record a string of hit singles and albums through to 1985.-Career:...
dance classic'. It reached 54 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. By this time the line up was Beer, Anthony Thorpe, and Lea, formerly the female half of the duo Tom Boy. Scott Fraser continues to be a leading light in the alternative/underground music movement.
Thorpe went on to run the Language record label.
Albums
- "...if I kissed her I'd have to kill her first..." (1985), Illuminated Entertainment - UK Indie #3
- The Good Clean English Fist (1985), Dojo - UK Indie #17
- Look (1986)
- The New Lords On The Block (1989), Concrete Productions
- Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Forever (1989), Concrete Productions
- The Jealous Guy (2006)
Singles
- "Beat The Devil" (1982), Concrete Productions
- "Return of the Dog" (1983), Illuminated
- "Declaration of Intent" (1984), Illuminated - UK Indie #24
- "Pressure" (1984), Illuminated - UK Indie #27
- "Groove Jumping" (1984), Illuminated - UK Indie #22
- "Breakdown" / "Jive 69" (1985), Illuminated
- "Runaway" / "Breakdown" (1985), Illuminated
- "Movin'" (1985), Illuminated - UK #54, UK Indie #3
- G.I. (1986), Saderal - with 23 Skidoo, UK Indie #15
- Let the Music Play EP (1986), Illuminated
- "Champion Sound" (1991), Warrior
- "Play Like A Human" (1991), Warrior
- "Tension Release" (1992), Warrior