The Membranes
Formed in Preston, Lancashire in 1977, this UK punk group was based in the seaside town of Blackpool, later immortalized as Tatty Seaside Town. Founder member John Robb (b. 4 May, 1961; bass) was initially joined by Mark Tilton (guitar), Martin Kelly (drums) and Martin Critchley (vocals), the latter soon departing as Critchley sidestepped from drums to keyboards, with Goofy Sid Coulthart taking over behind the drumstool. Robb was to prove himself nothing if not a trier, organizing compilation appearances and inaugurating the near legendary, near indecipherable BLACKPOOL ROX fanzine. Their first vinyl single was the 3-track Muscles in 1981, gaining single of the week awards for its defiant, brash optimism and gaining ascendancy on the turntable of Radio 1's John Peel. It remains one of the most memorable DIY efforts of the early '80s. Steve Farmery joined on guitar after its release, with Martin Kelly leaving the keyboard position vacant. They joined Rondolet Records for Pin Stripe Hype, watching the label close down shortly after. This also saw off Farmery, leaving the band as a trio for much of the rest of their productive career. Missing out on the opportunity to be Creation Records first featured artists because of finance sent them down-market to Criminal Damage. It, too, proved a less than satisfactory home, and ultimately saw the group relocate to Manchester in 1983 in typically eternal optimism. The single which should have broken them was the acclaimed Spike Milligan's Tape Recorder, which somewhat pre-dated the guitar barrage of Big Black and Sonic Youth. However, distribution problems killed off the enthusiasm reciprocated by the media. The same problems applied to the Death To Trad Rock, 12-inch, after which Tilton left to be replaced by bass player, Stan. Although they finally made their postponed mark on Creation with the disappointing GIFT OF LIFE, the band's fortunes were now in decline. Stan was replaced by Wallas as the band concentrated on the European circuit. Nick Brown was added on second guitar in 1987, followed in short order by Keith Curtis. Meanwhile, Robb was becoming more active as a freelance journalist for SOUNDS, and eventually Melody Maker and a host of other magazines. Despite the production services of Steve Albini (Big Black) on 1988's KISS ASS GODHEAD, Wallas was the next departure, to be replaced by Paul Morley (ex-Slum Turkeys). However, total disintegration was imminent as Robb concentrated on his writing career, and launched his new dance project Sensurround.