Fatal Microbes were an English punk rock band formed in 1978. The main line-up of the band consisted of Honey Bane (who was 14 years old at that time) on vocals, Gem Stone on drums, Pete Fender on guitar, and Scotty Barker on bass. The band's name is regarded as a reference to the theme of disgust and toxicity, explored and embraced by many punk rock acts in the late 1970s and early 1980.
Honey Bane later had a career as a solo artist, a film and stage actress, and a model. Pete Fender subsequently went on to form Rubella Ballet with Gem Stone (bass) and Sid Ation (drums). Fender later released a 7" EP, "Four Formulas", under his own name on XNTRIX records. Fender and ‘It’ had formed the band Punktuation in 1977. With an average age of 13 years, they were amongst the youngest punk bands in the country at the time. Scott Barker later joined the Sods and went on to become a founder member of the legendary 'Old Reenies' (sometimes spelt 'Ol Rene's') with Kevin Jones and Martin Brown. Scott Barker now lives in Spain and continues to perform.
Links to Peel[]
In 1979, Fatal Microbes released a 7" single featuring "Violence Grows" on the punk rock record label Small Wonder Records. The single was championed by John Peel, who played tracks from it on his shows. After the group disbanded, Peel continued playing some of the member's projects, including Honey Bane and Rubella Ballet.
Shows Played[]
Fatal Microbes - Violence Grows
- 1979
- 17 April 1979: Beautiful Pictures (split 12" with Poison Girls - Violence Grows) Small Wonder
- 25 April 1979: Beautiful Pictures (split 12" with Poison Girls - Violence Grows) Small Wonder
- 30 April 1979: Violence Grows (split 12” EP with Poison Girls) Small Wonder
- 24 July 1979: Violence Grows (single) Small Wonder
- 26 July 1979: Beautiful Pictures (EP – Fatal Microbes Meet The Poison Girls) Small Wonder
- 02 August 1979: Violence Grows (single)
- 07 August 1979: Cry Baby (EP) Smalll Wonder
- 10 September 1979: Cry Baby (B-side 'Violence Grows' 7") Small Wonder
- 1990
- 20 October 1990: Violence Grows (7") Small Wonder
- 10 November 1990 (BFBS): 'Violence Grows (7")' (Small Wonder)