Table


 * (This page is about the UK punk band. For the US 90s band Table, see Table (2))



The Table were a punk rock band from Cardiff, Wales, best known for their 1977 single "Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated)". They consisted of Russell Young (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass), Tony Barnes (guitars, bass), Len Lewis (drums) and Mickey O'Connor (guitars). Young and Barnes had been performing together since 1971 in the band John Stabber, and formed Do You Want This Table (later shortened to The Table) in 1972. However, they did not own any instruments, refused to tour, and stated that they were not a "real" band and had no future in the music industry. Despite this, they were signed to Virgin Records and released "Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated)", first recorded as a demo in 1975. The record became an NME 'Single Of The Week', rapidly became a cult favourite, and subsequently appeared on several punk compilation albums.

Record label pressure saw them reluctantly become a well-received live act. However, their uncompromising stance led to disagreements with Virgin, and they left, signing to Chiswick Records in 1978 and releasing a second single, "Sex Cells". The band ceased to exist after several line-up changes and a policy of playing increasingly uncommercial and distasteful material. Young's later band, Flying Colours, released a single, "Abstract Art", on No Records in 1981. (Read more at Wikipedia.)

Links to Peel
The band’s debut single, “Do The Standing Still” was something of a Peel favourite. Returning to the record on 22 August 1992, the DJ recalled it “used to be a stable on this programme for about six months in 1977.”

After playing it, presumably for the first time, on 05 April 1977, he commented: "Where are these new groups coming from? … I’m afraid I know nothing about them at all other than the record is subtitled "Classics Illustrated" and it’s rather good."

In a column for Sounds music paper (Feb. 11, 1978), Peel relates that Tony Barnes and band manager Diane brought him a tape of the band’s second single to him at the BBC right after the track was completed and they all sat up together in the BBC canteen after the end of his show. Peel wrote:


 * ”I’m very much afraid that the lyrics of “Sex Cells” concern themselves primarily with the alleged pleasures of heavy petting (and worse!) with school-girls, but despite this The Table have trotted out a worthy successor to their splendid ‘Do The Standing Still’.”

It is unclear from the limited show tracklistings that are currently available whether the track was subsequently played by Peel.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * None

Sessions

 * None

Other Shows Played
(The list bellow is compiled only from the database of this site and is far from complete. Please add more details if known.)


 * 05 April 1977: Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated) (7") Virgin VS176
 * 29 August 1977: Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated) (7") Virgin VS176
 * 22 August 1992: Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated) (7") Virgin VS176
 * 31 August 1992 (BFBS): Do The Standing Still (Classics Illustrated) (7") Virgin