Weekend was a band formed by Alison Statton following the split of Young Marble Giants in 1981. The band was actually a merger between two projects. Statton began writing with Spike of Z Block Records and Reptile Ranch in Cardiff, Wales in the summer of 1981 before moving to London where she teamed up with Simon Emmerson (at that time using the name Simon Booth) of Methodishca Tune. The band signed to Rough Trade Records in December 1981, but recorded only one studio album, La Variete.
La Variete was released in 1982 on the Rough Trade label and made it to no. 4 in the independent charts staying there for 15 weeks. It was revered by critics on release as a bold new departure from the prevailing post-punk ethos and served as a major influence on Saint Etienne, the Sundays, Belle and Sebastian and many others.
After splitting up in 1983, members Simon Booth and Larry Stabbins formed the more jazz orientated Working Week.
Links to Peel[]
Weekend "A View From Her Room" (12 inch version)
Peel didn't seem to be much enthusiastic about Weekend's music after Alison Statton left the Young Marble Giants. The only occasion he played their music, apart from the Festive Fifty, was in the summer of 1982 when he gave airplay to the Past Meets Present single. At the 1982 Festive Fifty, the band's View From Her Room entered at number 48, which Peel responded by saying 'that's one of two records in the 1982 Festive Fifty that I've never played on the radio before. Starting to think for yourselves, eh? We'll stamp that out.'
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1982 Festive Fifty: View From Her Room #48
Shows Played[]
- 19 July 1982: Past Meets Present (7" - Past Meets Present / Midnight Slows) Rough Trade
- 16 December 1982: 'View From Her Room (7 inch)' (Rough Trade) FF #43