The Professionals (band)
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| The Professionals | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock, hard rock |
| Years active | 1979 – 1982 |
| Associated acts | Sex Pistols |
| Former members | |
| Steve Jones Paul Cook Ray McVeigh Andy Allen |
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The Professionals were an English punk rock band in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Contents |
[edit] Career
The band was formed in 1979 by Steve Jones and Paul Cook, both formerly of the Sex Pistols. As in the Pistols, Jones played guitar, while Cook played drums. Jones supplied lead vocals. Andy Allen, a friend of Jones, joined the band as bass player. He was later ousted and was replaced by bassist Paul Myers (formerly of Subway Sect). Also joining the band was guitarist Ray McVeigh. They signed to Virgin Records in early 1980. Their first release with Virgin was the single, "Just Another Dream". They released the album I Didn't See It Coming in November 1981.[1]
The band split up in 1982 after the end of their second U.S. tour. This was prompted in part by a car accident involving all the band apart from Jones, and the fact that Jones remained in the U.S. when the rest of the band went back to the UK. Jones eventually opened a coffe shop.
A best of album was released in 2005, despite the band only ever recording one album, four singles and an album of demos.
[edit] Tributes
Their song "Black Leather" was covered by The Runaways on their 1978 album, And Now... The Runaways; and by Guns N' Roses on their 1993 album, "The Spaghetti Incident?". Joan Jett and the Blackhearts also released a live version of "Black Leather" on their Fetish album. Their song "Join The Professionals" was covered by the Epoxies. "The Magnificent" has been said to be about Sid Vicious, though more likely refers to John Lydon as the song features guitar very similar to that of the first Public Image Ltd. single, "Public Image".[citation needed]
[edit] In other media
Cook and Jones appeared in the 1981 film, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- "Just Another Dream" (B-side "Action Man") (1980, Virgin Records)
- "1-2-3" (B-side "Baby, I Don't Care" and "White Light White Heat") (1980, Virgin Records) - UK #43[2]
- "Join The Professionals" (B-side "Has Anybody Got An Alibi") (1981, Virgin Records)
- "The Magnificent" (B-side "Just Another Dream") (1982, Virgin Records).
[edit] Albums
- The Professionals (unreleased)
- I Didn't See It Coming (1981, Virgin Records)
- The Professionals (1990, Limited Edition Records) - Modified version of unreleased album
- The Professionals (1997, Virgin Records) - Different modified version of unreleased album
- The Best of The Professionals (2005, Captain Oi!)
[edit] Personnel
- Steve Jones − lead guitar and vocals
- Ray McVeigh − rhythm guitar
- Andy Allen − bass (1979–1980)
- Paul Myers − bass (1980–1982)
- Paul Cook − drums
[edit] References
- ^ "The Prague Post Online: Night & Day: Still packing heat". www.praguepost.com. http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2006/12/06/still-packing-heat.php. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 440. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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