John Peel Wiki

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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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Honor Role

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Honor Role

Honor Role was formed in 1982 as an American hardcore-punk band in Richmond, Virginia. They switched their musical style to post-punk around 1985 and disbanded in late 1989.

Jelling around guitarist/vocalist Pen Rollings and drummer Steve Schick, the early lineup released a speedy, rather contrived nine-song 7" (It Bled Like a Stuck Pig) in early 1984. The band's breakthrough came later that year when Bob Schick (brother of Steve) joined the band as vocalist, allowing Rollings to devote his energies entirely to his increasingly unusual guitar patterns. With Jeremy Bunn in the bass slot, the band released their first mature work, the "Judgement Day"/"Anonymous Cave" 45, released in June of 1985 on Eskimo/No Core Records, the same local outfit that issued their first EP. Chip Jones replaced Bunn on bass shortly after, and the band played numerous East Coast shows, including opening for trailblazing acts like the Minutemen, Husker Du, Sonic Youth, and Ian Mackaye's post Minor Threat band, Embrace. The quartet recorded both the "Purgatory" 45 and their debut album The Pretty Song with noted Richmond producer John Morand. The songs revealed a band in full stride: songs like "Throwing Rocks," "My Place," and "Purgatory" were rooted by Schick's lyrics in hardcore, but his floating, twisting delivery, flung against the wire-mesh backdrop weaved by Rollings' spiky, entrancing guitar patters, were electrifying. The band changed drummers in late 1987, with Seth Harris taking over for Steve Schick. With an agreement from indie standard-bearer Homestead Records in hand, they proceeded to make their finest recordings. The clanging "Lives of the Saints No. 135 (Naked Wife)" was hair-raising invective and the album that followed, Rictus, chased personal demons down alleys that had rarely been explored, Rollings, in particular, playing a searing, technically tricking but emotionally jarring guitar.

By the time the band called it quits in late 1989, their influence was evident on several post-punk frontiers, not least of which was discernible in Washington, D.C., crusaders Fugazi, whom often invited Honor Role to share the stage with them. Schick went on to perform with Coral and Dynamic Truths while Rollings pioneered an overloaded, crushing instrumental sound with his bands Butterglove and Breadwinner.

Links to Peel[]

Peel seemed to have discovered the band in 1989 via the Human Music various artists compilation album, which featured their track, 'Lives Of The Saints No. 135 (Naked Wife)', that the DJ played on his show in January of that year. He would play further material from the group via the 'Rictus' album until August of that year and revisited the group's 1986 album, 'The Pretty Song', in 1998 by playing their track, 'My Place'.

Shows Played[]

Honor_Role_-_My_Place

Honor Role - My Place

1989
1998

External Links[]

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