Glass Torpedoes were a Liverpool (Kirkby), UK band originally signed to Rough Trade in 1979. The band released four 7" singles between 1979 and 1981 before calling it quits. The band recorded one Peel Session for legendary broadcaster John Peel in July 1980. Played gigs with such post-punk bands as Joy Division and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
Formed in October 1978 they released a single on Rough Trade in June 79. This got to number five in the alternative charts and was played on the radio a few times. A line up change followed the single, the G.T. bass player leaving the band to form a band in which he now sings – China Crisis. The Glass Torpedoes went on to do a John Peel session in January 1980 and the following October went on tour with Gary Glitter.
By the end of 1981 the Glass Torpedoes line-up included Mark Coleridge (drums) as the only remaining original member, Paul Reason (guitars), from the formation that recorded the Peel Sessions and went on tour with Gary Glitter and John Milton, and new members Kate Gill (vocals) and Bernie Carroll (bass). The recorded their third and last single at the end of 1981 (then re-released in 1983), featuring as the a-side a re-recorded version of a number already performed during the Peel session of the previous year.
In 1982 the Glass Torpedoes provided a few tracks for some compilations, namely ‘Communication’ and ‘Love Isn’t like That at All’ for the Crackin’ Up at the Pyramid compilation, and ‘Caught on Film’ for the Quest # 1 Liverpool tapezine. Nonetheless, by the end of the year the Glass Torpedoes were no more, Reason, Coleridge and Carroll joining the Ex Post Facto.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played the band's debut single, 'Someone Different' in the summer of 1979 on his radio programmes. He would play further records from the band, including a session they recorded for his show in 1980. After 1982, the band split, but Peel did revisit them on his show in 1984.
Sessions[]
Glass Torpedoes - Peel Session 1980
1. Recorded: 1980-01-09. First Broadcast: 24 January 1980. Repeated: 19 February 1980, 16 July 1980
- Forced A Smile / Something New / Tall Stories / This Is The End
Other Shows Played[]
- 1979
- 21 June 1979: Heart Surgery (single - Someone Different) Teenbeat
- 23 June 1979 (BFBS): Heart Surgery (7" - Someone Different) Teen Beat
- 19 July 1979: Someone Different (single) Teen Beat
- 21 July 1979 (BFBS): Morning, Noon, And Night (7 - Someone Different) Teen Beat
- 26 July 1979: Morning, Noon And Night (single - Someone Different) Teen Beat
- 28 July 1979 (BFBS): Someone Different (7") Teen Beat
- 21 August 1979: Morning, Noon And Night (7" - Someone Different) Teen Beat
- 03 September 1979: Someone Different (7") Teen Beat
- 1982
- 15 April 1982: Communication (v/a cassette album - Crackin' Up At The Pyramid) Crackin' Up
- 1984
- 09 June 1984 (BFBS): Morning, Noon, And Night ([7" - Someone Different) Teen Beat