Zero Latitude Trivia Quiz

Answer: Stiff Little Fingers

Formed in Belfast in 1977 the band originally played covers under the name of Highway Star but were soon influenced by punk rock. Their early songs, such as "Suspect Device" and "Alternative Ulster" were strongly influenced by the "Troubles", commonly known as the Northern Ireland conflict, which created divisions between themselves and other local bands.

The Undertones were particularly vocal in their condemnation, accusing them of sensationalising the conflict. Jake Burns, lead vocalist for the Fingers, responded by stating "At least we don't ignore it".

The first incarnation of the band survived through to 1984 and released four thought provoking albums. The band reformed for a set of reunion gigs through Germany in 1987, however, the tour sold out every venue and their temporary get together become permanent.

Answer: X-Ray Spex

The special years for the Spex were from 1976 through to 1979, a period that saw them release one album and five singles. Whilst this may have appeared a small output they had a massive impact. Their debut single "Oh Bondage Up Yours!" was proclaimed one of UK punk rocks defining moments alongside the works of luminaries such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash.

The band did reform in briefly in 1991 and again for two years in 1995 and whilst their tours were well received they never managed to reach their earlier heights. Styrene, the bands main songwriter, was an in-your-face front-woman and it was her distinctive voice, once described as "powerful enough to drill holes in sheet metal", and unorthodox presentation that also helped to raise the profile of the band. Cancer would take Styrene's life in 2011, she was 53 years old.

Answer: The 101ers

The 101ers, whose style leaned more toward rockabilly than punk, released only one single in their day, a track called "Keys to Your Heart", which was written by Strummer. By the time the single was released Joe had already joined The Clash and the 101ers soon folded. About five years later, with The Clash riding high on the back of their albums "London Calling" (1979) and "Sandinista" (1980) interest started to generate over Strummer's former band.

In a bid to cash in on this attention a second single, "Sweet Revenge", was hastily recorded and was duly followed up by the release of the album "Elgin Avenue Breakdown" (1981).

Answer: The Ruts

London based The Ruts got together in 1977, their members bonded by a desire to rally against racism. Their first single, "In a Rut" (1979), caught the attention of influential BBC DJ John Peel who would play the track regularly. They soon found themselves supporting The Damned across the UK and, in the wake of this, released "Babylon's Burning", a track that went to the heart of the unrest and turmoil that was afflicting Britain at the time.

The track would prove to be their biggest success. A year later their front-man, Michael Owen, was found dead from a heroin overdose and the band never really recovered from the setback.

Answer: It is Britain's emergency telephone number

As noted, the band formed in 1976 but they were still touring forty years later leading to the on-line music guide, Allmusic, to declare them one of the longest lived punk bands in the world. From the outset they were noted for their intensity. As a live band they were described as ferocious, their first single "I'm Alive" was represented as a "headlong rush" and their lead singer's, Nick Cash's, voice was touted to possess an "affected snarl".

The band recorded over a dozen studio albums and an additional sixteen live recordings however, despite favourable reviews, their singles failed to achieve the commercial success that they deserved.

Their biggest success came with their fourth album "The Biggest Prize in Sport" which broke into the US Billboard's 200 charts in 1980. Keith Richard did record a song entitled "999", however, this appeared on his 1992 album "Main Offender", well after the band was formed.

Answer: Cockney Rejects

Loud, brash and likely to knock your block off, the Cockney Rejects were the brainchild of brothers Jeff and Micky Geggus. They formed in 1977 and were still releasing albums in 2012. Totally irreverent, their first album was laconically titled "Greatest Hits Vol. 1".

They struggled to attract commercial attention, which was primarily due to the subject matter and lyrics of their songs which centred on street violence and football hooliganism. Sadly this violence would extend into their live shows where it was not uncommon for the Geggus brothers, both accomplished amateur boxers, to be wading into crowds to break up conflicts. Totally outside their gruff exterior though well in line with their fanaticism and loyalty to the West Ham United Football Club, the band released a version of the club's theme song "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" as a single in 1980.

It charted in the UK Singles Charts at number thirty five.

Answer: Generation X

Idol, along with Tony James and John Towe, formed the band in 1976 and, unlike most of their contemporaries who'd eschewed the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, they embraced them and proudly put them forward as major influences. The song "King Rocker" tells of a fictional fight between the three superstars clamouring to identify whom, among them, was the true King of Rock 'n' Roll.

As a tilt to their idols the B-side of this single was a cover of the John Lennon song "Gimme Some Truth". "King Rocker" would peak at number eleven on the UK charts. Idol would go on to enjoy a successful solo career in the 1980s while James became the force behind the band Sigue Sigue Sputnik in 1982.

Answer: The Skids

The Skids were founded by Stuart Adamson and William Simpson in Dunfermine in 1977 and, within six months, had released their EP "Charles". This attracted the attention of John Peel and with his influence the band soon found themselves supporting The Clash and sporting a recording contract with Virgin Records.

Whilst "The Saints Are Coming" made headway on the UK charts for them it was their next single, "Into the Valley", that finally provided The Skids with their first Top Ten single. Their third album "The Absolute Game" (1980), which peaked at number nine in Britain, would be the band's greatest success, however, continued disputes between Adamson and fellow songwriter Richard Jobson saw Adamson walk out.

The Skids would release a further album called "Joy" in 1981 before breaking up.

The U2/Green Day cover would reach number one in several countries around the globe.

Answer: Feargal Sharkey

Formed in Northern Ireland the band soon took a liking to the sounds of punk rock, using it as the basis for their first single "Teenage Kicks" in 1978. The song launched the band on the UK market, saw them appear live on "Top of the Pops" and had them supporting The Clash on an eight gig/six state tour of the USA in 1979.

Despite being raised amidst the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland the band didn't draw upon these conflicts for their material, instead focussing their lyrics on adolescent romances and teenage angst, which often attracted criticism.

In their subsequent releases the band would gradually introduce elements of glam rock into their albums and their 1983 release, "The Sin of Pride" moved right away from their original concepts to be a heavily soul influenced work. Sharkey left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, securing international success with his 1985 singles "A Good Heart" and "You Little Thief".

The band dissolved on Sharkey's departure but reformed in 1999 with Paul McLoone taking over on lead vocals.

Answer: Gang of Four

Rolling Stone magazine was high in its praises of the band, describing them as a "genuine revolutionary force in their pursuit of working class justice". Formed in 1977 and combining their punk sensibilities with a combination of funk and dub the band made an instant impact with their debut album "Entertainment!".

It was full of spoken and, at times shouted, lyrics, staccato guitar riffs and layers of barely controlled feedback. It screamed for workers and the under privileged in society, there are no love songs on this album.

The impact on media and other musicians by this album was palpable. Pitchfork Media ranked it the eighth best album of that decade, Kurt Cobain cited it as an influence and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers stated that "it completely changed the way I looked at rock music".

The band released four highly charged albums between 1979 and their break-up in 1984. They reunited for eleven years in 1987 but their recordings took on a mellower sound. After a short separation they reformed again in 2004 and recorded their ninth studio album "What Happens Next" in 2015.