Description

Initially managed by Ray Gange, star of The Clashs film Rude Boy, the Folk Devils first single Hank Turns Blue recorded for (allegedly the bands combined dole money) and released on the label Ganges Records and distributed through Rough Trade resided at number three in the indie charts for six weeks being kept off the top spot only by New Order and Depeche Mode.

Luminaries such as Jason Pierce of Spiritualized still regard the Folk Devils as a highly influential musical force Named after Stanley Cohens book on youth subcultures Folk Devils and Moral Panics, this highly underrated British band was as far as one could get from folk music at the time. They were formed by Co. Durham native Ian Lowery (formerly of The Wall and Ski Patrol) in late 1983 with a line up that consisted of Whiteley (Bass), Kris Jozajtis (Guitar) and Alan Cole (Drums). Throughout their short lifespan, the band released several acclaimed independent singles including Hank Turns Blue, Beautiful Monster, 1985s intense Fire And Chrome EP, and recorded three sessions for BBC Radios John Peel Show.

By early 1984, their heady brew of swampy rock on a bed of bastardized blues had created a vehicle for Lowerys increasingly misanthropic worldview. A well-honed gutter poet since the early days of punk, Ian developed an idiosyncratic style, fusing a natural gift for sly wordplay and a well-turned snarky phrase with his often vitriolic and poignant lyrics channeled through an explosive onstage persona.

By 1985, their sound was becoming sharp, ominous, brooding and urgent, and had taken shape with the help of producer Richard Mazda, with whom they collaborated several times. The band moved label and management duties to Nick Jones KARBON operation, gigging constantly, most memorably opening for the likes of The Fall, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gun Club and Spacemen 3. They also toured extensively throughout Europe and were featured prominently in the UK music press. Sadly, by early 1986 frustration within their ranks had created a point of no return, and the band imploded.

Listening again to the ferocious sonic snarl of Whiteleys Rickenbacker, Kris Jozs rhythmic wall of sound and sparse, blues-inflected guitar figures, Als crisp, metronomic drumming, and Ians artful, grimy tales of love, loss, loathing and libation, one cant help but think it was becoming a sound unto itself, an insatiable and yes, beautiful, monster. We hope you enjoy these resurrected gems, and in doing so, join us in honouring the bands legacy and paying tribute to the twisted genius of Ian Lowery, who died in 2001, age 45.