The Desperate Bicycles were an English punk band who released a series of independent recordings in the late 1970s. Formed in March 1977 "specifically for the purpose of recording and releasing a single on their own label", the band initially consisted of Nicky Stephens (keyboards), Roger Stephens (bass), Danny Wigley (vocals), Mel Oxer, (drums) and Paul LeClerc (guitar). The band's name derives from a passage in J. B. Priestley’s 1930 novel Angel Pavement. The Desperate Bicycles pioneered the do-it-yourself ethic of punk, adopting a proselytising role exemplified by their ardent exhortation: "it was easy, it was cheap – go and do it!". The group have been described as "DIY's most fervent evangelists".
Links to Peel[]
Peel had a copy of the band's debut single, Smokescreen / Handlebars, in 1977 and was impressed by not only their song, but the way on how the band recorded and released the track without involving an outside record company. Their track, Smokescreen, was later added to Peel's personal 1977 Festive Fifty, which he voted at number 6 and a year later the band did a session for his show. Further singles from the band were also played by Peel and on his 26th October 1991 show, he criticised Jon Savage's England's Dreaming book in overlooking the group's contribution to the punk scene.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1977 Festive Fifty: Smokescreen #06
Sessions[]
The Desperate Bicycles - Peel Session 1978
1. Recorded: 1978-07-04. First Broadcast: 10 July 1978. Repeated: 28 July 1978, 31 August 1978
- Smokescreen / Skill / Sarcasm / Teacher's Prayer
Other Shows Played[]
- 1977
- 15 April 1977: Smokescreen (7") Refill
- PM011: Handlebars (7" - Smokescreen) Refill RR1 (27th May to 1st June 1977)
- 11 July 1977: The Medium Was Tedium (7" EP - The Medium Was Tedium / Don't Back The Front) Refill RR2
- 29 August 1977: Smokescreen (7") Refill
- 27 December 1977: 'Smokescreen (7")' (Refill) FF #06
- 30 January 1978: Holidays / The Housewife Song / Cars (7" EP - New Cross, New Cross (Six Track Single)) Refill RR3
- 07 February 1978: Advice On Arrest (7" EP - New Cross, New Cross (Six Track Single)) Refill RR3
- 08 February 1978: I Make The Product (7" EP - [1]New Cross, New Cross (Six Track Single)]) Refill RR3
- 17 February 1978: The Housewife Song (7" EP - New Cross, New Cross (Six Track Single)) Refill RR3
- 14 July 1978: Skill (single) Refill
- 14 July 1978: Occupied Territory (single - Skill b-side) Refill
- 27 July 1978: Skill (single) Refill
- 1979
- 06 August 1979: Advice On Arrest (EP - New Cross, New Cross) Refill
- 07 August 1979: (I Make The) Product (EP- New Cross, New Cross) Refill
- 1980
- 03 January 1980: I Am Nine (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 14 January 1980: Sarcasm (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 15 January 1980: I Am Nine (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 16 January 1980: Blasting Radio (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 23 January 1980: Walking The Talking Channel (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 02 February 1980 (BFBS): Walking The Talking Channel (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 20 February 1980: 'Walking The Talking Channel (album - Remorse Code) Refill RR 6
- 01 July 1980: Grief Is Very Private (7") Refill
- 1991
- 26 October 1991: Smokescreen (7") Refill