The Lurkers

Thanks Stu - I don't recall Pinpoint so will have a listen

I've got Arturo's book but, for some reason, only read half of it.

It's really entertaining too, must finish it

He even signed it to me

He seems like a really nice bloke based on my very limited dealings with him

Back to The Lurkers - we all really love them, right?

I don't know how much "the British Ramones" helped or hindered them but there no frills, poptastic version of punk resulted in many a classic tune

Thanks Andy

Good to learn that AB is every bit as pleasant as he appears

What were Arturo and Manic doing in Haltwhistle?

Seems an unlikely (albeit blimmin gorgeous, I love Northmberland) spot to find them

Back to the group, here's a classic way to open an LP....




Ain't Got a Clue

...Arturo is a 'Country Lad' at heart, despite his London upbringing. He loves animals and cares alot about their welfare.
He lived in Haltwhistle for a couple of years with his Horse and 5 Lurcher Dogs.

When he was not on tour with The Lurkers and 999, he'd take Tourists out for a Horse & Wagon Tour in the Countryside,
i went out for the day with him and the Horse and it was like Steptoe & Son... great fun ...oh, apart from us almost getting killed by a speeding National Coach.

Yes, The Lurkers GLM are still active, their third album is out this month

By the way this message appeared on Facebook in November 2017 presumably penned by Arturo, or someone close to him, and gives a great potted history of The Lurkers and the various offshoots. What's great about it is that everyone seems to co-exist quite happily and without any accrimony. There's a few other groups that could learn from this, mentioning no names...

Hi Everyone!

There have been some questions and comments thrown around surrounding the authenticity of this, our version of The Lurkers, who actively and successfully gig on a regular basis today, having done so since 1987. In particular, our feelings towards the ‘other’ version of The Lurkers / The Lurkers - Gods Lonely Men.

The initial line-up of the band consisted of Pete Stride on guitar, Pete ‘Manic Esso’ Haynes on drums, vocalist Howard Wall and Nigel Moore on Bass. After just a handful of gigs, Nigel was replaced by Arturo Bassick, becoming the line-up that the nostalgic are most familiar with, and that responsible for the recording of the band’s first single ‘Shadow / Love Story’, following their signing to the Beggars Banquet label. This line-up went on to record a second single: ‘Freak Show / Mass Media Believer’, the latter track written by Arturo. Arturo also played on the track ‘Be My Prisoner’ on the 1977 compilation album, ‘Streets’, of early UK punk bands from a variety of independent record labels.

Shortly after the second single was released, Bassick left the band to form Pinpoint, and was replaced by former Saints member, Kym Bradshaw, who then himself left before recording the third single. Nigel Moore returned for this recording: 1978's ‘Ain’t Got a Clue’ / ‘Ooh!, Ooh! I love You’, which was their biggest hit, reaching number 45 in the UK singles chart. The following month, the band’s debut album, Fulham Fallout, reached number 57 in the UK albums chart.

In January 1979, their fifth single, ‘Just Thirteen’ was released, which in 2001 was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time. Their song ‘I’m on Heat’ was included on a compilation from Polydor, ’20 of Another Kind’, which reached number 45 in the UK chart, and ‘Out in the Dark’ was later featured on the second volume.
Their second album, ‘God’s Lonely Men’ was not as successful as their debut. Due to changing musical trends, and the record company focusing on new signing, Gary Numan, The Lurkers called it a day in 1980. Still, just two years later in 1982, Stride reformed the band, signing to Clay Records, a Stoke-on-Trent based label who worked with GBH and Discharge. With Clay, they released four singles and a compilation album of their previous works, ‘This Dirty Town’, then calling it a day again in 1984, when lead vocalist, Mark Fincham, ran off to work the drag clubs of Berlin.

This was not, however, the last we would see of The Lurkers, as in 1987, Arturo had a chance meeting with the hugely successful German punk band, Die Toten Hosen, and discovered that they were Lurkers super-fans, willing to finance a comeback album. ‘Wild Times Again’ was released in February 1988, launching The Lurkers once again back onto the live punk scene. The album featured Arturo Bassick on vocals, Nigel Moore on bass, Pete Stride on Guitar and Dan Tozer on drums, although the album credit was, out of loyalty, given to Esso, despite his return to the band for just the one gig in 1987.

This friendship with Die Toten Hosen saw The Lurkers supporting the band in huge stadium gigs across Europe, Arturo himself coordinating the Hosen’s 1991 ‘Learning English’ album in London with a series of well-known punk artists of the time. Nigel left in 1993, followed by Stride in 1994, leaving Arturo as the last remaining member of the 1977 line-up.

Since this time, the band have continued to tour, not only regularly all over the UK, but also throughout Europe, Brazil, and Japan, amongst other places. The line-up has changed several times since 1987 to date, largely due to Arturo’s somewhat nomadic tenancies and the necessity to recruit members within his locale. In recent years, Nelly (The Fiend) on drums and Billy Gilbert (Chelsea) on guitar played many Lurkers gigs, including supporting a 14 day Buzzcocks tour: later with Dan Tozer on drums, then Craig Casson (1977) on drums and Steve Racket (Hi Fi Spitfires & UK Subs) on guitar. In spite of the interchangeable membership, one constant has always remained, Arturo Bassick. Whilst the legacy of the band is primarily rooted in their late 1970s works, which are considered classic examples of UK punk, it is largely Arturo’s witty, outgoing, cheeky, ‘has-time-for-everyone’ demeanour that many people think of when they consider The Lurkers today.

The band continue to perform on a regular basis at assorted venues around the UK and Europe, and are typically considered ‘staples of the scene’, as are 999, for whom Arturo also plays bass, at the many larger punk festivals that take place annually.

The current line-up is Arturo Bassick on lead vocals and bass, Dave Kemp on guitar and Stuart Meadows on drums.
Now… onto ‘The Other Lurkers’…

Pete, Esso and Nigel had their last live performance together as The Lurkers, with Arturo on vocals in March 1987. In 2008, the threesome (minus Arturo) reunited to record an album ‘Chemical Landslide’ under the name Gods Lonely Men (GLM). Last year, after 8 years of inactivity, they went on to release a further album ‘The Future’s Calling’ under the name The Lurkers GLM, and more recently, a 3 track EP titled ‘High Velocity’, using just The Lurkers as their moniker.
This incarnation collaborates to record only, never performing live. Howard Wall hasn’t been heard from, nor seen, by any of the guys in 30 years. Further information about The Lurkers GLM can be found at their website:

www.godslonelymen.com/

Pete Stride, even though no longer wishing to perform live, wrote several songs for Arturo’s Lurkers 1995 album, ‘Ripped n’ Torn’.
Arturo and Pete Haynes (Manic Esso) still remain the best of friends, having been in constant contact since 1977. Esso has worked in mental health, and enjoys a successful career as a writer, having had a number of books published, and several plays performed, all with impressive reviews. Esso also penned 3 sets of lyrics to which Arturo composed the accompanying music, featuring on the more recent Lurkers albums. Information on Esso’s literary works can be found here:

www.petehaynes.co.uk/

On the topic of ‘originality’, it goes without saying that Arturo Bassick is the longest-serving member of the performing outfit of The Lurkers who, having recorded and contributed to the very first recordings of the band to a record label which was created solely to sign them. That Arturo left to focus on other musical projects prior to the recording of the band’s first album does not negate his clear involvement in the initial recordings which gave the band the name for which they are still remembered to this day. It takes a great amount of effort, dedication and organisational skill to hold a band together for three decades, credit of which is obviously due to Arturo, as well as the enthusiasm and support of all of the band members with whom he has played during this time, and also that of our supporters who continue to attend our gigs. Further information on Arturo's other musical groups and projects can be found at:

www.thelurkers.co.uk/arturo-bassick/

We understand and value that the threesome recording with the Lurkers name also have a right to do so, and as ever, wish them every success, but please do note, to avoid any disappointment – if you see a gig advertised with The Lurkers on the bill, you WILL be getting the same line-up of the band which has been fronted by Arturo for some 30 years now, the longest any of the original recording members has had involvement for. A professional performing band can be likened to a small organisation, which for any of you who have worked at the same place for such time, will become accustomed to changes in staff. To have one constant during all of this time is remarkable, and can only be applauded.

We appreciate that everyone has their individual opinions on this, for which they have every right, but felt it timely to offer clarification for all involved.
Thank you for taking the time to read.

Further information on The Lurkers in its entirety can be found at
www.thelurkers.co.uk

I think I must have been composing my reply whilst you posted Andy

This is great news

I can't wait to hear it

A sliding doors moment eh Zeo?

Here's more Lurkers goodness....


The Lurkers - Pills