John Peel Wiki

Changes to the look of John Peel Wiki will take place in the near future due to a new skin being rolled out over Oct/Nov across Wikia. Please see the Wikia Staff Blog for further details. On this site, the changes will affect the navigation from the left menu, as well as introduce a fixed page width with narrower content space. Please be patient while adjustments are made for the switch to the new system.

UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

COUNTDOWN: Just a reminder for people still using Monaco that the final switch to the new skin is due on Nov. 3. After that, it will no longer be offered as an option. Sorry. Nothing to do with me.

Steve W

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Desperate Bicycles

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Desperate Bicycles

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[]

Sessions[]

The_Desperate_Bicycles_-_Peel_Session_1978

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
Desperate_Bicycles_-_Advice_On_Arrest

Desperate Bicycles - Advice On Arrest

1978
1979
1980
1991

See Also[]

External Links[]

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