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| Abrasive Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Leeds, West Yorkshire, England |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1976—1984, 2003—present |
| Label(s) | Riot City, Clay |
| Members | |
| Phil "Shonna" Rzonca Eden Steve Popplewell Chris Skruff |
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| Former members | |
| Dave "Harry" Harrison Ryan "Nev" Nevison Robert Welch Adam Rzonca Mark Holmes Dave Hawkridge |
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Abrasive Wheels are a punk rock band from Leeds, England formed in 1976.
Contents |
History
The band formed in 1976 and initially consisted of Phil "Shonna" Rzonca on vocals, Dave on guitar, Robert Welch on bass guitar, and Adam Rzonca on drums.[1] The name Abrasive Wheels was inspired by Shonna's engineering apprenticeship, where signs stating "Danger! Abrasive Wheels!" were regularly seen.[1] They made their first public appearance at a friend's party in 1977, which was followed by a Rock Against Racism gig at Leeds Polytechnic.[1] They were given a support slot opening for the UK Subs in Bradford, after which Adam and Rob left the band, eventually replaced by Mark Holmes and Dave Hawkridge. With this line-up the band recorded their first demo, and toured with Slaughter & the Dogs. After losing money trying to get a record released by a London label, they financed their own EP, releasing it on their Abrasive Records label. The EP was picked up by Red Rhino distribution and soon sold out of its 3000 pressing, reaching number 35 on the UK Indie Chart. The band then signed to Riot City Records and issued the Vicious Circle EP, which was followed by a re-release of their debut EP, both again indie hits.[2] Hawkridge and Holmes then left, to be replaced by "Harry" Harrison on bass and "Nev" Nevison on drums, both previously of The Urban Zones, this considered by Shonna to be the band's first "proper" line-up.[1] Their debut album, When the Punks Go Marching In, was released later in 1982. They then signed to Clay Records, and released a cover version of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock". Before their second album, Ryan was replaced by Nev on drums.[2] Black Leather Girl was released in March 1984, displaying a much slicker and glossier sound with vocal harmonies, but after a further single, the band split later that year after a lengthy international tour.[2][1]
Shonna worked as a taxi driver before opening pizza parlours in Leeds, and working on the local market.[1]
Shonna formed a new version of the band in 2003, with Dave, Harry and Nev, and Steve Popplewell on second guitar.[1] Dave, Harry and Nev left, but Shonna and Popplewell continued, recruiting Eden, Chris, and Skruff.
Discography
Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[3]
Albums
- When the Punks Go Marching In (Riot City Records - 1982) #3
- Black Leather Girl (Clay Records - 1984) #8
Singles
- The ABW EP (1981) Abrasive #35
- "Vicious Circle" EP (1981) Riot City #12
- "Army Song" EP (1982) Riot City #24
- "Burn 'em Down/Urban Rebel" (1982) Riot City #14
- "Jailhouse Rock"/"Sonic Omen" (1983) Clay #13
- "Banner of Hope"/"Law of the Jungle" (1983) Clay #10
- "The Prisoner"/"Christianne"/"Black Leather Girl" 12" EP (1984) Clay #27
- "Nothing to Prove" EP (SOS Records) (2005-2007)
- "Maybe Tomorrow" download only single (2007)
Retrospective releases (CDs)
- The Riot City Years 1981 - 1982 (2003) Anagram Records
- When the Punks Go Marching In (inc. additional singles tracks) (2006) Captain Oi!
- Black Leather Girl (inc. bonus singles tracks) Captain Oi!
- The Singles Collection Captain Oi!
Compilation appearances
- "Criminal Youth" appears on Riotous Assembly (Riot City - 1982)
- "Army Song" and "Shout it Out" appear on 100% British Punk
- "Banner of Hope", "Jailhouse Rock", and "Prisoner" appear on Clay Records Punk Singles Collection
- "Army Song" appears on Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 1
- "Vicious Circle" appears on Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 2: Further Changes
- "Burn 'em Down" appears on Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 3: The Final Solution
- "Vicious Circle", "Army Song", and "Burn 'em Down" appear on Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.1)
- "Juvenille",and "Urban Rebel" appear on Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.2)
- "Sonic Omen" appears on If The Kids Are United- The Punk Box Set
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Glasper, Ian (2004) "Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984", Cherry Red Books, ISBN 1-901447-24-3
- ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
- ^ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
External links
