Section 25 -

Section 25 was an English post-punk band that cut two 1980 Factory singles and the 1981 album Always Now. They moved from stark guitar-led arrangements toward sequencers, synthesizers, and electronic dance rhythms on the 1982–84 albums The Key of Dreams and From the Hip, which spawned the club hit “Looking from a Hilltop.” Section 25 continued through several lineup changes and long pauses, then returned with new recordings in the 21st century.

Members: Larry Cassidy (lead vocals, bass, 1978-2010), Vin Cassidy (drums, 1978-85, 2000-present), Paul Wiggin (guitar, vocals, 1978-81), Lee Shallcross (guitar, 1981-85), John Grice (percussion, 1981-82), Jenny Cassidy [Jenny Ross] (keyboards, vocals, 1982-2001), Angela Flowers [Angela Cassidy] (keyboards, 1984-86), Ian Butterworth (guitar, 2006-), Roger Wikeley (bass, keyboards, 2006-08), Steve Stringer (guitar, computer, 2008-present), Bethany Cassidy (vocals, keyboards, 2009-present), Stuart Hill (bass, computer, 2009-present)

Background

Section 25 formed in November 1977 in Blackpool, Lancashire, when bassist–singer Larry Cassidy teamed with younger brother and drummer Vin Cassidy. The group name referred to Section 25 of the Mental Health Act, a provision authorities used to detain musician Fes Parker, a friend of Larry Cassidy.

Larry Cassidy was born in 1953 in Blackpool and attended St John’s Catholic Primary School in Poulton-le-Fylde and St Joseph’s College in Blackpool. Cassidy moved to London in 1973 for a law course. Cassidy left the course one year into the program and transferred to Maidstone College of Art, where he earned a first-class degree in sculpture. Cassidy returned to Blackpool with interests in punk, psychedelia, and German experimental rock. Vin Cassidy was the younger brother and a novice drummer.

Larry Cassidy next brought guitarist and civil servant Phil Denton into the lineup. Section 25 rehearsed original material and covers of “Jeepster” by T. Rex and “Ticket to Ride” by The Beatles. The trio played an Anti-Nazi League benefit at Lancaster City Football Club in June 1978, then booked summer shows at the Old Library in Poulton-le-Fylde with Zyklon B, Final Solution, and the Pose. The Cassidy brothers attended a Joy Division matinee at Eric’s in Liverpool with schoolfriend Paul Wiggin in July of that year. Denton left the lineup as the brothers increased improvisation in rehearsals. Section 25 added Wiggin on guitar in November. Wiggin lacked formal musical training and listened to Stockhausen, Can, Throbbing Gristle, and other experimental music.

Section 25 secured an April 1979 booking at the Factory Club in Manchester, where the set included “Knew Noise,” “Girls Don’t Count,” and “Just to See Your Face,” an early version of “Dirty Disco.” The Cassidy brothers also promoted Blackpool shows and booked the Imperial Hotel ballroom for a July charity benefit with Joy Division, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Glass Torpedoes, and Final Solution. Joy Division manager Rob Gretton heard the Section 25 set and encouraged the trio to make a record. Gretton co-produced a self-financed September session with Ian Curtis at Cargo Studios in Rochdale. Section 25 cut “Girls Don’t Count,” “Knew Noise,” and “Up to You” at the session.

Section 25 made a first vinyl appearance in April 1980 with the Martin Hannett-produced “After Image” on the Rockburgh compilation Hicks from the Sticks. Section 25 issued the Cargo recordings on Factory in July and cut “Charnel Ground” and “Haunted” with Hannett for an October Factory Benelux single. The group contributed the Singleton Street improvisation “Red Voice” to the local Blackpool Rox EP that August. Section 25 also supported Joy Division across several British dates and shared bills through the following spring with The Cure, Talking Heads, and The Stranglers.

Section 25 spent autumn 1980 on a Factory package tour with A Certain Ratio across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Berlin. Sound engineer Jon Hurst joined Section 25 at the end of the tour and installed an eight-track recorder at the group warehouse rehearsal room on Singleton Street in Blackpool. Section 25 used the facility to develop material for a debut album. The trio recorded “Babies in the Bardo,” “Hit,” and “One True Path” for John Peel at a January BBC session. Section 25 entered Britannia Row Studios in London in February 1981 for Martin Hannett-led sessions on the debut album Always Now.

Albums (80s):