UK Decay -

UK Decay was an English post-punk/proto-goth band that self-released two 1979/80 singles on Plastic Records, followed by three 1980/81 Fresh Records shortplayers and the 1981 album For Madmen Only. They culminated with the 1982 Corpus Christi EP Rising From the Dread and the 1983 live cassette A Night for Celebration.

Members: Martin “Segovia” Smith (bass, guitar, 1977-81), Steven David Harle (drums, 1977-82), Ricky Smith (vocals, 1977-78), Dave Stubbs (guitar, 1977-78), Mick Dove (bass, 1977-78), Paul Wilson (vocals, 1978-79), St. Albans Simon (vocals, 1978-79), Steven “Abbo” Abbot (vocals, guitar, 1978-present), Steve Spon (guitar, keyboard, 1979-present), Lorraine “Lol” Turvey (bass, 1981), Creetin K-os (bass, 1981), Ed “Twiggy” Branch (bass, 1981-present)

Background

UK Decay formed in spring 1979 in Luton, Bedfordshire, when guitarist Steven “Abbo” Abbott assumed lead vocals in the Rezistors, a local punk group with bassist Martyn “Segovia” Smith and drummer Steven David Harle. The Rezistors dated to late 1977 and featured several singers before the remaining trio adopted the UK Decay name.

UK Decay partnered with Pneumania, a local group featuring guitarist Steve Spon, who played keyboards in the earlier Studham band Dragonfly (later Toad the Wet Sprocket). Spon switched to guitar in 1978 and formed Sno White & the Sic Punks, renamed Pneumania the following spring.

The two groups shared rehearsal facilities and pooled funds for the 1979 Plastic Records release The Split Single, with two tracks apiece. Rough Trade requested a second pressing after selling its initial stock. Spon estimated total sales of 1,500 copies. The Luton collective also operated the monthly fanzine The Suss and the Matrix punk record shop.

Early Singles

In autumn 1979, Spon joined UK Decay as principal guitarist, allowing Abbott to concentrate on vocals. He brought two themes from Pneumania that Abbott reworked with new lyrics as “The Black Cat” and “Message Distortion.” Both appeared on January 1980 four-track Plastic EP The Black 45.

Fresh Records director Alex Howe licensed the Plastic releases and signed UK Decay for further singles and an album. The quartet taped an April 1980 BBC session for The John Peel Show and self-produced their summer Fresh single “For My Country” (b/w “Unwind”) at Quest Studios in Luton with engineer Dave Cooke.

UK Decay supported Dead Kennedys on a September–October 1980 tour of Britain. In December, the quartet cut “Unexpected Guest” (b/w “Dresden”) with engineer Tony Cook at Southern Studios in London. In January 1981, Lorraine “Lol” Turvey of the Statics replaced bassist Martyn “Segovia” Smith for a European tour.

Social Unrest singer Creeton K-OS took the bass slot for an April American tour and accompanied UK Decay on subsequent British dates. He also played on the initial album sessions before returning to the United States in June. Northampton bassist Edwin “Twiggy” Branch joined in July and helped complete the 1981 Fresh debut For Madmen Only, co-produced by UK Decay and John Loder at Southern Studios in London.

Discography:

Split Single (EP, 1979 • UK Decay / Pneumania)
“For My Country” / “Unwind” (1980)
The Black 45 EP (EP, 1980)
For Madmen Only (1981)
Rising From the Dread (EP, 1982)
A Night for Celebration (live, 1983)

Sources:

References and notes

UK Decay Heritage, Lineup History — undated. Establishes Rezistors formation, original personnel, vocal changes, and successive bassists. (personnel history)
Steve Spon Interview — June 2005. Firsthand account of early bands, Luton rehearsals, shared releases, songwriting, and Fresh negotiations. (interview)
UK Decay Heritage, Pneumania — undated. Reconstructs the shared rehearsal facilities, early performances, personnel, and Plastic Records partnership. (early history)
Luton Heritage Forum — undated. Confirms the May 1979 split release and its local historical context. (local archive)
UK Decay Heritage, Historical Account — undated. Documents Fresh Records, Dead Kennedys tours, BBC appearances, and the album sessions. (band history)
Steve Keaton, Sounds — February 1981. Contemporary interview documents European concerts, Fresh releases, and the Luton punk network. (press archive)
UK Decay Heritage, Discography — undated. Provides original Plastic and Fresh catalog details, singles chronology, and BBC sessions. (discography)
MusicBrainz, UK Decay Releases — undated. Corroborates original release years, labels, catalog numbers, and shortplayer chronology. (catalog)
John Peel Wiki, UK Decay — undated. Lists BBC recording dates, broadcast dates, and session selections. (broadcast archive)
Punky Gibbon, For Madmen Only — undated. Reproduces album personnel, production credits, recording period, and original sleeve details. (sleeve credits)