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Profile GeneratorRIOT
SQUAD entered Cargo Recording Studios in Rochdale in early 1983, firstly
recording the 'Don't Be Denied' EP, then recording 'I'm OK, Fuck You'
EP, which reached No.2 in the Independent Charts only to be kept off
the top slot by Johnny Rotten's 'This Is Not A Love Song' and 'Public Image Ltd' and
as a result RIOT SQUAD appeared on the front cover of the now legendary
Punk Lives Magazine. The thirdly came the 'There's No Solution' EP.
By 1984 things took a bad turn as Lee was sent down for GBH and the
band were falling out with the label due to financial disagreements
regarding royalties. The band left Rot Records, however not before Dunk
released all of the singles and some unreleased demos on the LP 'No
Potential Threat'. After this the band disbanded with each member going
their own separate ways and later on, Annagram Records released all
of RIOT SQUAD's songs on a 'Punk Singles Collection' compilation.
20 years on, Ched started a band with the intention of playing classic
punk covers just for the laugh. Pommi came back to the drum kit and
as luck would have it, the local advert for a guitarist was answered
by Staz. Vocals were taken care of by Mark Ainger, ex-leader of Ched's
previous band Rev. Ainger and The Arse Holes'. The band quickly got
a set together and were ready for gigging when a friend of Pommi's asked
them to play a gig in Newcastle as RIOT SQUAD when he realised they
comprised of ex-members of said band. The lads agreed and started to
learn some old 'SQUAD songs and also some new material that Ched and
Pommi had written.
The first gig with the new RIOT SQUAD lineup took place at The Jesmond
in Newcastle, part of a two-day festival on August 16th 2003 along side
Crashed Out, Drongos For Europe and UK Subs. After this came more gigs
and the band entered The Foundary Studios to record a 7-track titled
'No Escape', which received good reviews. Just after the release of
the CD, problems were again evident, which resulted in Pommi quitting
in December 2004.
In July 2005 Pommi returned and the same lineup decided to give things
another shot with the addition of a second guitarist 'Sam'. They received
interest from US label SOS Records, however after only a handful of
gigs they split in January 2006 after internal disagreements and Mark
announcing he was leaving.
During this time Pommi was contacted by young punk guitarist, Luke.
The pair had talked of working on a project a while back however nothing
had come of it. Until now. Ched had also been wanting to do something
different and after a few phone calls the three of them began rehearsing
together. It wasn't long before new songs were written, however they
were struggling to find a frontman until Pommi's mate Paul 'Chiz' Shakespeare
- ex-frontman of Chesterfield punk bands SEPTIC PSYCHOS and NO DEAD
MEAT - joined the lineup. SEPTIC PSYCHOs had been around at the same
time RIOT SQUAD were first about and they played a few gigs together
in the early 80's.
Originally the band started off with new songs and were looking for
a new name, however promoters and friends of the band wouldn't let the
RIOT SQUAD name lie. On April 7th 2006, the latest incarnation of RIOT
SQUAD played their first gig at The Green Room in Chesterfield and since
then they've been gigging regularly all over the country as well as
playing the Wasted Fesivals in Blackpool and Morecambe in 2006.
2007 has been busy for RIOT SQUAD with a visit to Germany to Punk &
Disorderly in Berlin in March as well as releasing their first full
length LP 'Persecute The Weak, Control The Strong' on Suicide Circle
Records. The album was recorded and mixed at SubZone Studios by Danny
Worm and mastered by ****** at Mustard Studios in Nottingham. Although
it's early days, the album has already received great reviews and so
has the new lineup, being dubbed the fastest, heaviest and tightest
RIOT SQUAD to date.
2007 has also seen the introduction of a second guitar into the lineup
to help fill out the sound. Mick (Septic Psycho and brother to Chiz)
moved up from substitute bassist to guitar, while the role of bassist
was filled by Pete when Ched decided to call it a day and concentrate on his roller blading career.
The new, five man lineup are continuing the hard work ethic with gigs
up and down Great Britain, with plans to gig in Europe and America in
the future.
The band have since been in the studio, and recorded some new material, some of which can be heard on our playlist up top. Plans to release a split vinyl single are about to become a reality, with some great bands from across Europe. The single, due to go to press any time now, includes The Crack Babies from Sweden, The Undertakers from Belgium and Human Battle from Greece. Show your support, and get adding these bands to your friends!!
