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Years active 1981–1984, 1992–present Associated acts Andi Sex Gang, Marc Almond, Aemoti Crii, Theatre of Hate, Death Cult, Carcrash International, Crisis, New Model Army Website www;sexgangchildren.com Past members Dave RobertsSteve HarleNigel PrestonRay MondoBob ThompsonCam CampbellLester JonesGerrard SantanaAdrian PortasKarl Magnussen Members Andi Sexgang, Nigel Preston, William Faith, Simon Boswell, Andy Cousin Profiles | ||
Sex gang children history 1982 2016
Sex Gang Children are an early gothic rock and post-punk band that formed in the early 1980s in Brixton in London, England. Although the original group only released one official studio album, their singles and various other tracks have been packaged into numerous collections, and they remain one of the more well-known bands of the early Batcave scene and have reformed for new albums and touring at various times since the early 1990s.
Contents
History
The original lineup was Andi Sex Gang (vocals, guitar), Dave Roberts (bass), Terry McLeay (guitar) and Rob Stroud (drums). They were a very dramatic band, relying on heavy bass, tribal drumming, sudden mood shifts, dramatic vocals and a cabaret sound (influencing the rise of the later dark cabaret scene). The band's first release was a cassette-only live album, Naked, in 1982. The Beasts EP, their first vinyl release, followed the same year after they signed to the Illuminated label. The band's only studio album from their original period together, Song and Legend, was released in 1983, reaching the top of the UK Indie Chart and spawning the single "Sebastiane". Stroud departed to form Aemoti Crii, to be replaced by former Theatre of Hate drummer Nigel Preston, who played on the band's next single, "Mauritia Mayer", before himself being replaced by former Death Cult drummer Ray Mondo. Roberts left in late 1983 to form Carcrash International, and the lineup settled to Andi, McLeay, Cam Campbell (bass) and Kevin Matthews (drums), a change forced by Ray Mondo's deportation to his native Sierra Leone.
Following McLeay's departure in 1984, the band was renamed Andi Sex Gang & the Quick Gas Gang for the 1985 Blind! album and tour (McLeay did not leave until after that album's recording, however; guitarist Lester Jones from Crisis performed the live shows). The band split afterwards.
Renewed interest in the band in the United States led to a reformation in 1991, including Roberts, and a new album, Medea, in 1993. As a solo artist, Andi went on to make a number of well-received albums for various labels.
Name
Sex Gang Children were originally called Panic Button. The name "Sex Gang Children" was taken by Malcolm McLaren from a William Burroughs novel as a possible name for the band that became Bow Wow Wow and was one of the names that Boy George went through before choosing "Culture Club". SGC vocalist Andi tried to persuade George to use the name, but when Culture Club drummer Jon Moss passed on the idea, Andi decided that the name should not go to waste.
Discography
Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.
Studio albums
Singles & EPs
Live albums
Compilation albums
Home videos
Songs
SebastianeSong and Legend · 1983
Shout and ScreamSong and Legend · 1983
Song and LegendSong and Legend · 1983