Punishment Of Luxury return to the Georgian Theatre for a third time.
About the bands
Punishment Of Luxury
From a background working in experimental music and English fringe theatre groups, Punishment Of Luxury formed in December of 1976, in Gateshead. Taking their name from a postcard sent to Nev from Rob Meek of a painting by Giovanni Segantini, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
Brian met Nev when he visited him at the locally famous Walker Terrace, Gateshead and the band was formed; Nevilluxury (Neville Atkinson – guitar, vocals), Brian Bond ( Brian Rapkin -vocals and keyboard. (James Mario Davis -bass guitar, vocals), “Liquid” Les ( Les Denham-drums) and then Red Helmet (Mick Emerson- guitar, vocals).
Nev created the strings of Puppet life and the band recorded their debut single, “Puppet Life” and this was released on the Small Wonder label in July 1978. In 1979 they signed to United Artists and released the singles “Jellyfish ” and “Brain bomb”, and then the album, Laughing Academy, in the summer of 1979. The band played at the Reading Rock Festival after The Cure and before The Tourists and Motörhead and Later the Leeds Sci Fi festival supporting Public Image.
1980 saw the release of the single “Laughing Academy”. An extensive European tour followed and United Artists sent the band into the studio to record another album, a concept album to be called Gigantic Days. However while the recording was still going on, United Artists were taken over by EMI, who dropped the band stating the band were “ not suitable for today’s modern market” A final European tour followed. They released a further album on the Red Rhino label, 7 in 1983, with Rab Aitch (Guitar and vocal). Nev and Brian then went their different ways, Nev continued with Punishment of Luxury and Brian formed Punching Holes.
Tim Magenta joined the revised Punishment Of Luxury line up along with Jimi Giro, Steve Sekrit ( Stephen Robson – Drums and vocals) and Malacabala ( Malcom Eltringham Guitar and vocals). They played several gigs including the Marquee in London.
The final Punishment Of Luxury single was Alien Contact /Party Goblins produced by David Bickley and Pat Collier .. Party Hall ( Eddie Hall Bass and Vocals) Tony Hammerhead (Tony Wright drums and vocals).
Nev then released a mini album, Feels Like Dancing Wartime on Red Rhino records in 1984. The album Gigantic Days was finally released, on CD, in 1998 by Overground Records.( John Esplen) ( published by Rod Jones of Panama music)
The band reformed with the original Laughing Academy line up when they played the Black Bull Gateshead 2007. (Line up Nev, Brian, Jimi. Steve).