Anarchy In The UK Trivia Quiz

Answer: Algy Ward

After supporting the Sex Pistols at London's '100 Club', The Damned released 'New Rose' in October, 1976 and split for the first time just over a year later. One time bass player for Australian punksters The Saints, Ward joined up in '78. He stayed until the end of 1979, when his heavy drinking and on-going brawls with Scabies saw him replaced by Paul Gray, an old friend of the band and ex-member of Eddie And The Hot Rods.

In 1986, The Damned hit No.3 in the UK singles chart with a cover version of the Barry Ryan song 'Eloise'.

Answer: Rich Kids

Allegedly sacked because of his admiration for the Beatles, Matlock turned the tables when EMI Records dropped the troublesome Pistols and signed the poppier Rich Kids, whose line-up also featured guitarist Steve New, drummer Rusty Egan and frontman Midge Ure. Mick Jones was loaned from The Clash to play a few gigs with the band and rumour has it that Paul Weller (The Jam) was unsuccessfully invited to join too.

Despite the high hopes of everyone involved, the group split after releasing only one album, 'Ghosts Of Princes In Towers'. Midge Ure, of course, would achieve greater success in Ultravox, as well as co-originating 'Live Aid' with Bob Geldof.

Answer: Howard Devoto

Devoto left the fledgeling Buzzcocks after a mere 11 gigs to continue a degree in Humanities. His first single with new band Magazine, 'Shot by Both Sides', is frequently credited with starting the post-punk period. With Pete Shelley taking over vocal duties, the Buzzcocks signed their first major record deal with United Artists on the day Elvis Presley died (though it is unlikely that is what killed him) and went on to produce a series of enduring pop-punk tunes.

In 2000, Shelley took time-out from a re-formed Buzzcocks to record with Devoto, resulting in the album 'Buzzkunst'.

Answer: Joe Strummer

Inspired by the Sex Pistols, Strummer hooked up with Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Keith Levine and Terry Chimes to form The Clash. By early '77 the group, minus Levine, had signed a contract with CBS Records and released their eponymous debut album to massive critical acclaim. With Nicky 'Topper' Headon replacing Chimes on drums, The Clash rapidly left the faltering Pistols drowning in their wake.

Their ground-breaking third album, 'London Calling', shattered punk's previously tight perimeter, show-casing the band's ability to soak up, then fuse diverse musical styles. Five years of constant recording and touring eventually took it's toll in 1982.

Headon was fired for persistent drug abuse, with Jones axed the following year. Strummer and Simomon recruited new personnel and released a disappointing final album, 'Cut The Crap', before giving up the ghost in '86. Tragically, Joe Strummer died suddenly at home on December 22nd, 2002, just months before a possible band reunion at their induction into the 'Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame'.

Answer: Malcolm Owen

Owen had been a heroin user before joining the band, although he had cleaned-up until the months preceding his demise. The 26 year-old singer was found dead in his bath on July 14th, 1980, the victim of an overdose. The three surviving members modified the group name to Ruts DC (the initials standing for 'Da Capo', meaning 'a new beginning' in Latin), added Gary Barnacle on sax and keyboards and produced two reggae-influenced albums before calling it a day in 1983.

Answer: The Vibrators

Originally a Deep Purple covers band named Highway Star, a live Belfast performance from The Clash convinced Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Ali McMordie and Brian Faloon to cut their hair, re-name themselves and take the punk route to fame. Local journalist Gordon Ogilvie picked up on the quartet, encouraging them to write about what they knew best, and songs like 'Suspect Device', 'Wasted Life' and 'Alternative Ulster' quickly followed. Breaking up in 1983, SLF re-formed five years later, with former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton taking McMordie's place in 1990.

Answer: Rattus Norvegicus

Cosiderably older than many of their musical rivals when success arrived, The Stranglers were often accused of hitching a ride on the punk bandwagon. In addition, the group were vilified by critics for misogynistic lyrics (in songs such as 'Peaches' and 'London Lady') and attitudes (strippers appeared on-stage at their Battersea Park, London gig). Guitarist/vocalist Hugh Cornwell was imprisoned on drugs charges in January, 1980, and later that year the band found themselves under arrest in Nice, France, charged with inciting a riot.

Despite these headaches, the original line-up persevered till 1990, when Cornwell left to pursue a solo career.

Answer: Generation X

Billy Idol, who had been Chelsea's guitarist, moved to vocals and hit the big time, along with Tony James (bass) and John Towe (soon replaced on drums by Mark Laff). Signed to Chrysalis Records, the band became regular visitors to the UK singles chart, with their 1979 7" 'King Rocker' reaching No.11.

After they split in '81, Idol exported his sneering pretty-boy persona to America, where his solo career flourished. Tony James resurfaced in 1986 with Sigue Sigue Sputnik and the No.3 hit 'Love Missile F1-11'.

Answer: Rod Stewart

The Sex Pistols were the creation of Malcolm McLaren, fashion shop owner and former manager of the New York Dolls. Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock came together in 1976, signing with EMI Records and releasing their debut single, 'Anarchy In The UK'.

Although the song charted at No.38, it was the band's appearance on London Weekend Television's 'Today' show that would catapult them into the nation's consciousness. Goaded by presenter Bill Grundy, Jones and Rotten swore repeatedly live on air.

The resulting publicity led to a ban on the single, numerous shows on the 'Anarchy' tour being cancelled and EMI dropping the band. A&M Records subsequently hired and fired the group, before they finally found a home at Richard Branson's Virgin label. Glen Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious before the Pistols unleashed the 'Never Mind The Bollocks' album. Early in '78, Rotten quit after a disastrous tour of America, while Vicious died from a heroin overdose on February 2nd, 1979, still under suspicion of killing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. Ever the entrepreneur, McLaren milked the bands infamy with the pseudo-documentary film 'The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle' and it's accompanying soundtrack.

In 1996, Rotten, Jones, Cook and Matlock reunited for the 'Filthy Lucre' tour.

Answer: London SS

Despite never releasing any recordings, or even playing in front of a paying audience, London SS tried out, and rejected, many of British punk's future stars during it's short lifespan. Among those shown the door by regular members Jones, Tony James (Generation X) and Brian James (The Damned), were Simonon, Headon, Terry Chimes (original drummer with The Clash) and Rat Scabies (The Damned).

While Subway Sect and The Lurkers failed to survive the punk era, Johnny And The Self Abusers fared rather better after a change of name and direction. Ever heard of Simple Minds?