Beyond the Implode - 1979-80 EPs

DIY post-punk band from Runcorn, gathered by Eddie Smith (aka Eddie Cameron) with the purpose of performing and recording some of the songs he had written – a mix of Barrett and early-Floyd psychedelic music and sombre Warsaw / Joy Division aesthetics. The original line-up included Smith on guitar and vocals and Frank Hughes on bass, then expanded to include Ian Gardler (later Wild Weekend, Flesh Impact) on ‘second’ bass and minimalistic electronics, and the latter’s brother, Mike Gardler on lead guitar (who left before their first single came out). This line-up recorded (in Hughes’ and Mike Gardler’s bedroom) the songs that ended up on the band’s first vinyl release, on the band’s own label (Diverse Records), in September 1979.

Last Thoughts (1979)
- This Atmosphere
- Midnight Adventures
- Lassitude
- Escape Thru Levitation
- Steel Car

Only 250 copies of the EP were released and mainly distributed in local record shops (in Liverpool and Runcorn). The Ep received positive reviews in the music press, and John Peel played some of the band’s songs during his shows. In 1980 the band’s personnel changed. Ian Gardler replaced is brother on guitar, and new members were added: Keith O’Connell (aka Keith Discreet, later Avant Garde Elitists) on bass, Kev Shields (later Havoc of Fusion) on keyboards and Nick Evans on drums (in the picture above, Ian, Nick and Eddie, during the band’s only gig in North Wales). This line-up, with the inclusion of some friends on backing vocals – Ste O’Leary and Peter Thomas (DJ at the Swinging Apple in Liverpool, the Club for those not cool enough for Eric's) – recorded the band’s second Ep, released in June 1980:

11th Hour Breakdown (1980)
- 11th Hour Breakdown
- Look Back and Crash
- Lassitude

This time again only 250 were pressed, on Diverse Records and sold in local shops.
In 1981, Gardler left the group, to be replaced by Marshall Parsons (later Havoc of Fusion). Paul Randall joined on bass and Mark Berckley on sax. This final line-up did record some tracks which were never released.

beyond the implode

(see also http://www.detour-records.co.uk/beyondtheimplode.htm
http://www.hyped2death.com/Kugelberg100.html
http://agonyshorthand.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_agonyshorthand_archive.html#108543537599356184 http://www.link2wales.co.uk/lpool/B.htm )