The Precautions (1980-83)

The Precaution, form Ellesmere Port, formed in 1980 and included Ian Wilson (vocals, later Action Transfers, now running Whitby Studios), Steve Coughton (aka Steve Coughlan, guitars, later Lilac Trumpets), Neil Senior (bass, later Lilac Trumpets), Dave Cooil (drums). They started doing cover-versions of Joe Jackson and Tom Petty numbers, then started writing their own material (a shift which the band thought of signaling by a change of name, one possibility being Toga Party). They recorded demos at Cargo studio in Manchester and at Amazon in Liverpool and released a three-track tape in 1982 (including Modesty Blaise, Safe Inside, Leeks on Mount Fiji), and gigged all over the country (supported Afraid of Mice at the Wharehouse). Inevitable Records was interested in signing them and they were to be featured on a Skeleton compilation, but nothing came of both. 

The Precaution “established a slight reputation within the small confines of Ellesmere Port. Coach trips have been organized to watch them at the Moonlight Club in London, their logo appears in graffiti all over the town centre and record shops display publicity photos” (Merseysound #1, January 1982)

By 1983 things started to change. According to their manager A.N. Jones:

‘They were one of the most promising act I ever worked with but due to general disorganisation within the group it never went further. I managed to secure them support dates with Siouxsie and the Banshees (Devon, 83), Blue Rondo (Manchester, 83), Claire Hamill (London, 83) and Icicle Works (several dates).

‘All these dates apart from one with the Icicle Works were blown out due to Dave Cooil deciding he wanted to leave just one week before the Siouxsie date. The biggest tragedy was that he never gave us a reason as to why he was leaving and it was just too short notice to get a replacement! It was eventually found in Tony Elson from the System, but this only lasted for one gig – Ellesmere Port. For this date the group also had the group also had a keyboard player called Ian [Lewis (keyboards, later Lilac Trumpets, Alternative Radio)]. That date was pretty shambolic and it could be seen that this lineup would not last and slowly the band crumbled.

‘A long period of inactivity followed until late ’83, when Ian Wilson went on to join the Action Transfers as second vocalist to Dave Whibberley and Neil and Steve went on to form the Lilac Trumpets’

No audio material seems to have survived.