The Alarm are a Welsh rock band that formed in Rhyl, Wales, in 1981. Initially formed as a punk band, The Toilets, in 1977, under lead vocalist Mike Peters, the band later changed their name to Seventeen, before they got a record deal, and then again to Alarm Alarm during a gig, before changing it into The Alarm. The band overtime left their punk roots and became more into new wave/rock. By opening for acts such as U2 and Bob Dylan, they became a popular new wave rock band of the 1980s.
The band's highest charting single in Britain was 1983's "Sixty Eight Guns", which reached number 17 in the UK Singles Chart. Their 1984 album, Declaration, which contained "Sixty Eight Guns", peaked at number six in the UK Albums Chart.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played the Seventeen's debut single, Don't Let Go, on his 20 November 1979 show where he read a letter from Vendetta Records, telling about them with an attachment of their new record. When Peel heard that the band changed their name to Alarm Alarm in 1981, he was quoted as saying:
"We already had Duran Duran and Talk Talk, and now we also have Alarm Alarm. I think I will call myself John Peel John Peel from now on" [1]
That apparent remark made the band listening to the broadcast sit up. It also made them decide to change from Alarm Alarm to the Alarm. Peel continued playing some of the Alarm's early material, but seemed to have lost interest in them later on with Kid Jensen playing much of their material during the early 80's.
Shows Played[]
- 20 November 1979: Don't Let Go (7") Vendetta
- Alarm
- 14 November 1982 (BFBS): Marching On (7") Illegal ILS 0032
- 16 November 1982: Marching On (7") Illegal ILS 0032
- 06 October 1983 (TOTP): 68 Guns