Play Dead

"Walk Away" on The Tube (performed on December 14, 1984... a Friday)
Discography:
"The First Flower: A Six Track Album" (1983)
"From The Promised Land" (1984)
"From The Promised Land (remix)" (1984)
"Company Of Justice" (1985)
"The Singles 1982 ~ 85" (1985)
"In The Beginning - The 1981 Singles" (1986) "Resurrection (reissue of From The Promised Land)" (1984/1992)
"The Final Pieces" (bootleg of rarities)
Live Bootlegs
"Into The Fire Live" (1985)
"Caught From Behind: Live In England, France, Germany, And Switzerland" (1986)
"The Final Epitaph Live" (1986) (this is the recording of Play Dead's final concert)
Side Project: Mankind's Audio Development: "Sunfeast/Craving Single" (1984)
Play Dead emerged from the post punk era of Britain (Oxford) in November of 1980 with the original lineup Rob Hickson (vocals), Pete Waddleton (bass), "Re-Vox" (Barry Turnball) (guitar), and Mark "Wiff" Smith (drums). They recorded their first single in December 1980 and released it under Fresh Records. After recording the song "Final Epitaph" for their second single in April 1981, Re-Vox was replaced by tattoo-covered Steve Green. Re-Vox left Play Dead to become a health inspector. The song "T.V. Eye" was Steve's first official recording with the band and the single "T.V. Eye/Final Epitaph" was released in October 1981. The band left Fresh Records soon after.
Play Dead began building a following in Europe in 1981, but 1982 was certainly a year they would rather forget. The entire year was nothing but signing up on independent labels that would collapse three or four weeks later.
By late 1982, people assumed the band had dissolved, but in early 1983 they signed on to the Jungle Records label and produced the album "The First Flower: A Six Track Album." The album was an independent hit.
In 1984, after a long tour in Europe, the band signed on to Clay Records and recorded the album "From The Promised Land," a much more eclective and mature album. Unsatisfied with the original mixes, Play Dead re-recorded the entire album after only around 1,000 pressings of the original LP had been printed. The new version was released with a sticker attached to the cover that read "Remix." During 1984, Rob and Pete developed a side project called "Mankind's Audio Development." Although many singles were planned to be released by "M.A.D.," only one single was produced.
In 1985, Play Dead created their own independent record label called "Tanz" after becoming overwhelmed with the incompetence of other record labels. The band recorded the album "Company Of Justice" with legendary producer Conny Plank who turned down U2's "Unforgettable Fire" album to make this record with Play Dead. The album is considered legendary, but sadly, it was their final studio recording. Also, prior to these events, Play Dead's performance on February 23, 1985 was recorded for the live album and VHS tape "Into The Fire Live."
Pete Waddleton left the band in January of 1986 for India, while the remaining bandmates formed "The Beastmaster Generals." The Generals were Rob Hickson, Steve Green, Mark "Wiff" Smith, Bob Brimson on bass, and a keyboard player named Julian Silvester. Only a few demos were recorded and the band dissolved. Due to a fickle and unreliable music press, Play Dead was sort of left behind almost in obscurity. Fortunately, the band has developed a cult following around the world.
Rob Hickson lives in Brighton, UK and runs a painting and decorating company alongside a gardening agency. Mark "Wiff" Smith lives in London and is a tour manager. Pete Waddleton joined Deluca Triangle, then Huckleberry Finn, and then he decided he was finished with music altogether in 1996. Pete is now a teacher at a school in Oxford and he supposedly goes by "Mister Wadd." The whereabouts of Steve Green is also unknown. Barry "Re-Vox" Turnball resides in Cornwall, UK.
Prior to the birth of Play Dead, Rob Hickson and Barry "Re-Vox" Turnball were in a band called "Special FX." The band existed from 1979-1980 and were sort of a blend between Generation X and The Stooges.
The three studio LPs were re-released in 1991-1993, each with extra tracks. "The First Flower" has TEN extra tracks. "Resurrection" has eight extra tracks and is the reissue of "From The Promised Land (remix)." "Company Of Justice" has one extra track called "Burning Down (long version)" originally titled "Burning Down (mezcal mix)."
The First Flower (1983)
1. Time 2. The Tenant 3. Propaganda 4. Sin of Sins 5. In Silence 6. Don't Leave Without Me 7. Shine 8. Gaze 9. Promise 10. Propaganda (mix) 11. Propaganda (1984 mix) 12. Sin of Sins (1984 mix) 13. Poison Takes A Hold 14. Introduction 15. T.V. Eye 16. Final Epitaph
From The Promised Land (1984) (original and remix)
1. Isabel 2. Torn On Desire 3. Walk Away 4. Pleasureland 5. Return To The East 6. No Motive 7. Holy Holy 8. Weeping Blood
Resurrection (1984/1992)
1. Break 2. Isabel 3. Walk Away 4. Bloodstains 5. Solace 6. No Motive 7. Pleasureland 8. Pale Fire 9. Sacrosanct 10. Torn On Desire 11. Holy Holy 12. Return to the East 13. Conspiracy 14. Sin Of Sins (live) 15. Bloodstains Pleasure 16. Solace (12" mix) 17. Holy Holy (12" mix)
From The Promised Land (1984/2007)
1. Isabel (4:51) 2. Torn On Desire (4:26) 3. Walk Away (3:40) 4. Pleasureland (5:25) 5. Return To The East (4:05) 6. No Motive (4:23) 7. Holy Holy (4:06) 8. Weeping Blood (6:28) 9. Break (3:40) 10. Bloodstains (4:05) 11. Solace (5:36) 12. Pale Fire (3:53) 13. Sacrosanct (3:40) 14. Conspiracy (4:30) 15. Bloodstains Pleasure (5:11) 16. Solace (extended version) (5:37) 17. Holy Holy (catholic mix) (6:12)
Mankind's Audio Development
"Sunfeast/Craving Single" (1984)
1. Sunfeast 2. Craving
Company Of Justice (1985)
1. Witnesses 2. Caught On The Thorns 3. Company Of Justice 4. This Side Of Heaven 5. Judgement 6. Chains 7. Celebration 8. Sacrosanct 9. Treason 10. Reward 11. Last Degree 12. Burning Down (long version)
Into The Fire Live (1985)
1. Walk Away 2. Return To The East 3. Break 4. Torn On Desire 5. Shine 6. Solace 7. Sin Of Sins 8. Sacrosanct 9. The Tenant 10. No Motive 11. Propaganda
The Singles 1982 ~ 1985 (1985)
1. Break 2. Conspiracy 3. Solace (7" version) 4. Propaganda 5. Isabel 6. Bloodstains 7. Pale Fire 8. Shine
In The Beginning - The 1981 Singles (1986)
1. Poison Takes A Hold 2. Introduction 3. T.V. Eye 4. Final Epitaph
Caught From Behind: Live In England, France, Germany, And Switzerland (1986)
1. Break 2. Last Degree 3. Solace 4. Shine 5. Isabel 6. Sin Of Sins 7. Torn On Desire 8. This Side Of Heaven 9. Sacrosanct 10. The Tenant
The Final Epitaph - Live (1986)
1. Shine 2. This Side Of Heaven 3. Last Degree 4. Witnesses 5. Burning Down 6. Company Of Justice 7. Break 8. Caught On The Thorns 9. Judgement Day 10. Sacrosanct 11. The Tenant 12. Propaganda
The Final Pieces (bootleg of rarities)
Tracks 10 and 11 are by Mankind's Audio Development. "Sacrosanct (heretic mix)" and "Silent Conspiracy" are instrumental mixes.
1. Bloodstains Pleasure 2. Solace (7" version) 3. Silent Conspiracy 4. Conspiracy (saigon mix) 5. Sacrosanct (heretic mix) 6. This Side of Heaven (serious mix) 7. Still in Chains (remix) 8. Burning Down 9. Weeping Blood (remix) 10. Sunfeast 11. Craving
Songs unavailable on CD:
Bloodstain Pleasure (7" version) / Burning Down (short version) / Conspiracy (saigon mix) / Effigy / Hide Your Head / Holy Holy (original) / Isabel (original) / Judgement Day / Metallic Smile / No Motive (original) / Pain / Pleasureland (original) / Pray To Mecca / Return To The East (original) / Sacrosanct (heretic mix) / Silent Conspiracy / Solace (7" version) / Still In Chains / Torn On Desire (original) / Total Decline / Walk Away (original) / Watch Us Slide / Weeping Blood (original) / Weeping Blood (remix) /
"Hide Your Head" is an earlier and different version of "Walk Away" with the chorus "Walk Away, Don't Move Away, Just Walk Away" replaced with "So Hide Your Head, So Hide Your Head, So Hide Your Head In Shame."
"Judgement Day" is an earlier and much different version of "Judgement" performed live throughout 1984.
"Total Decline" is an earlier and much different version of "Don't Leave Without Me."
The two Mankind's Audio Development tracks are also unavailable on CD.
Singles:
Poison Takes A Hold/Introduction Single (June 1981)
T.V. Eye/Final Epitaph Single (October 1981)
Metallic Smile/Pray to Mecca/Propaganda/Effigy (Peel session 1) (January 13, 1982)
Propaganda/Propaganda (mix) (January 1983)
Gaze/The Tenant/Total Decline (Peel session 2) (June 15, 1983)
Shine/Promise Single (September 1983)
Return to the East/No Motive/Break (Peel session 3) (January 11, 1984)
Break/Bloodstains (April 1984)
Isabel/Solace (July 1984)
Sin Of Sins (1984 Mix)/Propaganda (1984 Mix) (August 1984)
Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy (October 1984)
Sacrosanct/Pale Fire (February 1985)
This Side Of Heaven/Last Degree (1985)
Shine/Promise/Gaze (September 1983)
Break/Bloodstains/Bloodstains Pleasure (April 1984)
Isabel/Solace (extended version) (July 1984)
Propaganda (1984 mix)/Sin Of Sins (October 1984)
Conspiracy/Silent Conspiracy/Conspiracy (Saigon mix) (October 1984)
Sacrosanct/Pale Fire/Holy Holy (Catholic mix)/Sacrosanct (Heretic mix) (February 1985)
This Side Of Heaven/This Side Of Heaven (serious mix)/Last Degree (1985)
Burning Down (mezcal mix)/Still In Chains/Burning Down (1985)
Known Bootlegs And Recordings:
May 7, 1983, Manchester Poly
May 12, 1983 Live At Leeds Warehouse, England
May 13, 1983 Live At Ska Ballroom, Norwich, England
July 23, 1983, Live At Durham Univeristy, England
July 24, 1983 Live At Ashton Metro, England
July 28, 1983 Live At Dingwalls, Hull, England
October 13, 1983 Live At Klub Foot, Hammersmith, Englan
July 1, 1984 Live At Forum Des Halles, Paris, France
October 7, 1984 Live At Kolingsborg, Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 10th 1984 Live Norrkoping, Sweden
November 25, 1984 At Lyceum, London, England
February 15, 1985, Manchester University
May 13, 1985 Bruxelles, France
October 22, 1985 Live At Rock City, Nottingham, England
October 23, 1985, Croydon Underground
Live In Norwich, Ska Ballroom; May 13, 1983
The Tenant / Time / Pray To Mecca / Total Decline / Sin Of Sins / In Silence / Bloodstains Pleasure / Propaganda / Pain
Live July 28, 1983 Hull, Dingwalls ~ Live October 13, 1983 Hammersmith, Klub Foot
July 28, 1983: The Tenant / Shine / Sin Of Sins / Bloodstains / Gaze / Total Decline / Propaganda
October 13, 1983: Judgement Day / Shine / Sin Of Sins / Total Decline / Hide Your Head / Time / Bloodstains / Gaze / Watch Us Slide / The Tenant / Propaganda
Live In France - Forum Des Halles; July 1, 1984
Judgment Day / Break / Sin Of Sins / Return To The East / Bloodstains Pleasure / Gaze / No Motive / Total Decline / The Tenant / Time
Live In Norrkoping, Sweden; October 10, 1984
Break / Return To The East / Torn On Desire / Walk Away / Sin Of Sins / Shine / Solace / Isabel / The Tenant / No Motive / Propaganda