Megacity 4
This UK thrash-pop outfit, influenced by Stiff Little Fingers and the Buzzcocks, utilized melodic, medium- paced punk. They started in 1982 as a band called Capricorn, which played a few gigs and recorded some demos. However, in 1986, the drummer Martin left. The replacement, Chris Jones, was recruited from local band Exit East. The rest of the unit comprised Wiz (b. Darren Brown; songwriter/vocals/guitar), brother Danny (b. Daniel Brown; rhythm guitar/backing vocals), and Gerry (b. Gerald Bryant; bass). Mega City Four had their first practice session on 1 January 1987, taking their name from the home base of JUDGE DREDD, the popular comic book enforcer. A self-financed single was recorded in the autumn and, although it took six months to surface, reviews were good and BBC disc jockey John Peel added his patronage. They also provided two tracks for the Link compilation UNDERGROUND ROCKERS. Alongside their peers and friends the Senseless Things, they began to make a national impact with a heavy touring schedule. Their rise to prominence coincided with a string of singles before a contract to Big Life Records was forthcoming.