TERMINUS: BACK AMONG THE BLIND: The 2nd Album
Doncaster: A Punk Wilderness?
(with apologies to Mark and the rest of 'Donny Class War' - and Mark, if you are reading this, get in touch)
On the 5th March 1992 we played the SARACENS HEAD, in Doncaster, with the 13’s (The Thirteen's), having previously played there in 1988 with a great band from Doncaster called Crow People, and again in 1991 with The Shreddies.
Prior to this gig the local free rag had this to say about the existence of punk fossils such as ourselves, still roaming the musical ally ways and public houses of Yorkshire, and particularly that paragon of musical modernity and cutting edge fashion, commonly known as Doncaster:
"Punk in town
I received a letter this week from DDA Promotions regarding a forthcoming gig at the Saracen's Head, Cleveland Street, here in Doncaster.
Their press release states that Terminus is one of Yorkshire and Humberside's top punk acts.
Now call me uninformed or what, but I suspect that they may be Yorkshire and Humberside's ONLY punk band since the punk era went out long ago.
However, this puts Terminus at the top of the tree in the punk stakes, and you can see them play live tonight.
Terminus's music has been described as 'Gothic Horror Punk' and are about to embark on a European tour taking in dates in Eastern Europe.
They are to be supported by the Thirteen's, an up and coming band from Scunthorpe."
Doncaster Free Press, 5 March 1992.
Shall we call him 'uninformed'? Bearing in mind the early 1990's saw a profusion of 'Punk' bands, yes we shall! Attitudes like the one shown above highlights what I was singing about in 'Propaganda War' years before; i.e. we can play all we like in front of 'punk' audiences, but no body else will either know or care. The European tour, of course, never came off.
(with apologies to Mark and the rest of 'Donny Class War' - and Mark, if you are reading this, get in touch)
On the 5th March 1992 we played the SARACENS HEAD, in Doncaster, with the 13’s (The Thirteen's), having previously played there in 1988 with a great band from Doncaster called Crow People, and again in 1991 with The Shreddies.
Prior to this gig the local free rag had this to say about the existence of punk fossils such as ourselves, still roaming the musical ally ways and public houses of Yorkshire, and particularly that paragon of musical modernity and cutting edge fashion, commonly known as Doncaster:
"Punk in town
I received a letter this week from DDA Promotions regarding a forthcoming gig at the Saracen's Head, Cleveland Street, here in Doncaster.
Their press release states that Terminus is one of Yorkshire and Humberside's top punk acts.
Now call me uninformed or what, but I suspect that they may be Yorkshire and Humberside's ONLY punk band since the punk era went out long ago.
However, this puts Terminus at the top of the tree in the punk stakes, and you can see them play live tonight.
Terminus's music has been described as 'Gothic Horror Punk' and are about to embark on a European tour taking in dates in Eastern Europe.
They are to be supported by the Thirteen's, an up and coming band from Scunthorpe."
Doncaster Free Press, 5 March 1992.
Shall we call him 'uninformed'? Bearing in mind the early 1990's saw a profusion of 'Punk' bands, yes we shall! Attitudes like the one shown above highlights what I was singing about in 'Propaganda War' years before; i.e. we can play all we like in front of 'punk' audiences, but no body else will either know or care. The European tour, of course, never came off.
Shortly after doing the acoustic stuff the band recorded a couple of tracks at local studio Bird Song. In fact the studio
wasn't actually up and running when we went in (or even built!) and so the two songs were recorded in Steve Birds kitchen! Ah, luxury. The reason for the recording session was to do a track for the Campary Records compilation album "Screaming for a Better Future III", and the resulting track, a rerecording of an earlier track now called "Body Count '91", was duly sent off to Armin at Campary Records. A new song, "Into the Flames" was also recorded at the same time and ended up as the 'A' side of the next single, also to be released by Armin on Campary Records.
wasn't actually up and running when we went in (or even built!) and so the two songs were recorded in Steve Birds kitchen! Ah, luxury. The reason for the recording session was to do a track for the Campary Records compilation album "Screaming for a Better Future III", and the resulting track, a rerecording of an earlier track now called "Body Count '91", was duly sent off to Armin at Campary Records. A new song, "Into the Flames" was also recorded at the same time and ended up as the 'A' side of the next single, also to be released by Armin on Campary Records.
AGONY OF A CONTAMINATED SOCIETY LP:
Screaming For A Better Future Volume III
Campary Records. Germany.
Track: Terminus: "Body Count '91" (Richardson)
Recorded at Bird Song Studios, Ashby, Scunthorpe, 8th October 1991. Mixed by Steve Bird and Terminus. Mark - Vocals and rhythm guitar, Chris Dale - Lead guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums.
Other tracks by: Mushroom Attack/ Verdun/ Die Schwarzen Schaffe/ Youth Gone Mad/ Warshington/ Internal Autonomy/ Infezione/ Earth Citizens/ Juggling Jugulars/ Momido 7/ Scraps/ Rats of Unusual Size/ Stick Farm.
Screaming For A Better Future Volume III
Campary Records. Germany.
Track: Terminus: "Body Count '91" (Richardson)
Recorded at Bird Song Studios, Ashby, Scunthorpe, 8th October 1991. Mixed by Steve Bird and Terminus. Mark - Vocals and rhythm guitar, Chris Dale - Lead guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums.
Other tracks by: Mushroom Attack/ Verdun/ Die Schwarzen Schaffe/ Youth Gone Mad/ Warshington/ Internal Autonomy/ Infezione/ Earth Citizens/ Juggling Jugulars/ Momido 7/ Scraps/ Rats of Unusual Size/ Stick Farm.
After sending off the tapes for the Campary single we then set about finishing the second album, our best effort to date. In retrospect, maybe we did get a bit over indulgent when it came to the (boo hiss) guitar breaks, but that's what happens when you do these things yourselves - no self criticism or control - when it comes to guitar solos, not from me anyway!
We also continued to actively seek more gigs, as the flyer on the left, created by drummer Steve, attests.
"From servility and ignorance
you have made a religion...
of Liberty and Justice,
you've made a mockery!"
INTO THE FLAMES (Richardson/ Dale © 1991)
We also continued to actively seek more gigs, as the flyer on the left, created by drummer Steve, attests.
"From servility and ignorance
you have made a religion...
of Liberty and Justice,
you've made a mockery!"
INTO THE FLAMES (Richardson/ Dale © 1991)
INTO THE FLAMES EP 4th 7"
Into the Flames (Richardson/ Dale)/ Bending The Rules/ A New Tomorrow (Richardson/ Dale)
Label: Campary Records CR020 1992
Line up: Chris Dale - Guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums, Mark Richardson - Vocals (rhythm
guitar on "Into the Flames").
Recorded at Bird Song Studios in Ashby, Scunthorpe. As
has been said, 'Into the Flames' was recorded in October 1991 at the same time as the version of 'Body Count '91' used on the compilation LP. The tracks on the B' side were recorded in July and August 1992 during the second album sessions and finished with indecent haste before the rest of the album. Mixed by Steve Bird and the band.
REVIEWS
"... continuing where the Going Nowhere Fast LP left off. Not ground breaking, but a good amount of power conveyed through the lyrics and a singer who actually believes in what he's singing about."
From German 'zine 'Skoink' #8
"What makes this band so distinct are Mark Richardsons vocals. It's as if the man took the load of whole worlds misery on his shoulders and at the same time he's conjuring us to do something about all this misery. In the lyrics here he's telling us not to blindly follow leaders who pretend they have all the answers. Super!"
'Tilt' 1993
"Just managed to get my sticky mits on a handful of the 4th Terminus EP from that golden year, 1992. Three tracks of sheer brilliance from the UK's (far superior) own version of BAD RELIGION. Continuing, unabated, with their bleak vision of modern society & anarchic protest. TERMINUS still succeed to inspire & energise with up-tempo contemporary punk classics "Into the Flames", "Bending The Rules" & the superb "A New Tomorrow"."
'Ruptured Ambitions' review catalogue
"A lot of folks around here are pretty ambivalent about Terminus, but I can't get enough of this band. All right, so there are too many solos and the vocalist should stick with the deep non-singing voice, but this band is really powerful and inspiring nonetheless. Straight ahead bassy punk that's slightly melodic, slightly Motorhead, and the lyrics are easily some of the best in punk rock today - it makes me want to go out and smash capitalists! Look out!"
'Profane Existence' Summer 1993
"Wow. After all the hassle TERMINUS have had over the last year or more I was surprised to see some new work out and in from Germany too. I really love Mark's vocals, they niggle me every time though 'cos they're cock-on for someone from my shhaky past, either the guy out of Rikki & The Last Days Of Earth or the singer with Neon Hearts, but they were great singers too. Three boss tracks, my fave "Bending The Rules" a Bad religion riffo drama."
(AT) 'Vision On' #4
"TERMINUS Into the Flames 7”
This is the record that Terminus released through Die Scharze Schaffe’s record company Campary Records, before the release of their second album. It contains three songs [each one of them is unbeatable] in impressive versions. Satisfaction guaranteed."
'Stress' Magazine, issue VIII, April 1993, Athens, Greece (translation courtesy of Thanasis Antoniou).
QUOTES USED ON LYRIC SHEET
"To the daring belongs the future!"
Emma Goldman
"Don't imagine that you can beat them without using force... because if you believe them, they will be completely in charge, in their marble homes and granite banks from which they rob the people of the world under the pretext of bringing them culture."
Jean-Paul Marat
The quote above was later used , spoken over, the unlisted instrumental third track on the fifth single, originally referred to as "Marat", later as "Don't Believe Them".
Into the Flames (Richardson/ Dale)/ Bending The Rules/ A New Tomorrow (Richardson/ Dale)
Label: Campary Records CR020 1992
Line up: Chris Dale - Guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums, Mark Richardson - Vocals (rhythm
guitar on "Into the Flames").
Recorded at Bird Song Studios in Ashby, Scunthorpe. As
has been said, 'Into the Flames' was recorded in October 1991 at the same time as the version of 'Body Count '91' used on the compilation LP. The tracks on the B' side were recorded in July and August 1992 during the second album sessions and finished with indecent haste before the rest of the album. Mixed by Steve Bird and the band.
REVIEWS
"... continuing where the Going Nowhere Fast LP left off. Not ground breaking, but a good amount of power conveyed through the lyrics and a singer who actually believes in what he's singing about."
From German 'zine 'Skoink' #8
"What makes this band so distinct are Mark Richardsons vocals. It's as if the man took the load of whole worlds misery on his shoulders and at the same time he's conjuring us to do something about all this misery. In the lyrics here he's telling us not to blindly follow leaders who pretend they have all the answers. Super!"
'Tilt' 1993
"Just managed to get my sticky mits on a handful of the 4th Terminus EP from that golden year, 1992. Three tracks of sheer brilliance from the UK's (far superior) own version of BAD RELIGION. Continuing, unabated, with their bleak vision of modern society & anarchic protest. TERMINUS still succeed to inspire & energise with up-tempo contemporary punk classics "Into the Flames", "Bending The Rules" & the superb "A New Tomorrow"."
'Ruptured Ambitions' review catalogue
"A lot of folks around here are pretty ambivalent about Terminus, but I can't get enough of this band. All right, so there are too many solos and the vocalist should stick with the deep non-singing voice, but this band is really powerful and inspiring nonetheless. Straight ahead bassy punk that's slightly melodic, slightly Motorhead, and the lyrics are easily some of the best in punk rock today - it makes me want to go out and smash capitalists! Look out!"
'Profane Existence' Summer 1993
"Wow. After all the hassle TERMINUS have had over the last year or more I was surprised to see some new work out and in from Germany too. I really love Mark's vocals, they niggle me every time though 'cos they're cock-on for someone from my shhaky past, either the guy out of Rikki & The Last Days Of Earth or the singer with Neon Hearts, but they were great singers too. Three boss tracks, my fave "Bending The Rules" a Bad religion riffo drama."
(AT) 'Vision On' #4
"TERMINUS Into the Flames 7”
This is the record that Terminus released through Die Scharze Schaffe’s record company Campary Records, before the release of their second album. It contains three songs [each one of them is unbeatable] in impressive versions. Satisfaction guaranteed."
'Stress' Magazine, issue VIII, April 1993, Athens, Greece (translation courtesy of Thanasis Antoniou).
QUOTES USED ON LYRIC SHEET
"To the daring belongs the future!"
Emma Goldman
"Don't imagine that you can beat them without using force... because if you believe them, they will be completely in charge, in their marble homes and granite banks from which they rob the people of the world under the pretext of bringing them culture."
Jean-Paul Marat
The quote above was later used , spoken over, the unlisted instrumental third track on the fifth single, originally referred to as "Marat", later as "Don't Believe Them".
BACK AMONG THE BLIND 2nd LP
Label: Words of Warning Records WOWLP24 1992
Side One: Annihilation Age/ Words Warning (Richardson/ Dale)/ Ground Zero (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ The Wheel Turns (Richardson/ Dale)/ Into the Flames
(Richardson/ Dale).
Side Two: Back Among the Blind (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ Reach out and Take it/ Running
out of Time (Richardson/ Dale)/ Getting Closer (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ Terminus.
Line up: Chris Dale - Guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums, Mark Richardson -
Vocals.
Recorded at Bird Song in Ashby, Scunthorpe and engineered by Steve Bird. Mixed in a mind altering haze of smoke by the band and Steve in November 1992. All that smoke might explain the guitar breaks. Thanks are due at this point to Jill Borrelli for stumping up the cash to start the recording ball rolling (out of control).
QUOTES USED ON THE LYRIC SHEET
"The social revolution must consist... in nothing but the most absolute destruction of all existing instruments of 'order', to have free scope for the building of a harmoniously constituted society."
Johann Most
"Look at the prison you are in, we are all in. This is a penal colony that is now a Death Camp. Place of the second and final death. Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape."
W. S. Burroughs (The Western Lands)
REVIEWS
"This slab is pure scathing political punk in the vein of old Naked Raygun, but every time I think that, BOOM! - guitar solo - or the singer tries too hard to sing. Some urgency is quite present - something which I think really makes a good punk song - and if you can handle a guitar solo in every song (yeacchh!) then I'll recommend it... I think."
Funnily enough this was the first review I've ever seen that came with a...
"(second opinion: Crito's review is pretty much dead on, but I really dig this record. Lemmy meets Leatherface meets Class War, and the ruling class is running for cover. Fucking awesome stuff from a great, intelligent anarchist band. Pick it up."
'Profane Existence', Summer 1993. ... but I like guitar solos, oh yes I do!
"It fills you up with energy, it warms your heart... I still think I'll listen to Terminus when I'm 80!"
From Swiss 'zine 'No Sanctuary', March 1993.
The cheques in the post! Just joking, we're far too poor.
"Well at first, for some strange reason I didn't like this too much, but as I played it more and got used to the tracks I realize now that this is a fine LP. The lyrics I never had a problem with, they're excellent and so is the music, I suppose it's because I don't get the chance to sit and listen to much these days. Anyway, what I can now say, although Terminus may not agree, but this is the er, um thinking punks punk rock! - Howzat! Pacy tuneful punk rock backed up with
excellent lyrics and all my early thoughts completely blown away!!"
'Suspect Device' #18
"TERMINUS Back Among the Blind LP
Second LP for the amazing punk group from Scunthorpe, with more strong guitar work than the first, harder riffs, better songs, more sophisticated lyrics and always punk and not trash. Ten hymns to anarchy and life. Flawless."
'Stress' Magazine, issue VIII, April 1993, Athens, Greece (Translation courtesy of Thanasis Antoniou).
"Terminus - Back Among The Blind LP (Words Of Warning)
And you wade through a pile of bile and it seems like that elusive classic slab will never come to the surface, then... BANG, the new Terminus album. Almost Godhead. I say almost because as
with previous efforts the recording knocks them sideways. OK, so this is probably the closest they've got to getting it nailed down but still either lack of recording budget or poor choice of studio lets them down. I personally think Terminus could be a major force in British music, like
Leatherface, as they have a lot in common given the right studio. Well, now they've kissed Karl's ass with a song called Words Of Warning, and the Blagger's must be doing ok for him isn't it time to put some of the cash into promoting the labels brighter hopes?
(AT)"
'Vision On' #7
What's a "recording budget"?
"... at first I was a bit disappointed, I thought it was too metally but now I find the more I play it, the more I love it! Songs about fighting back and reclaiming this world before it's too late, done to some excellent, rocking, punk tunes like "Annihilation Age", "Words of Warning" and my fave - "Getting Closer". Plus a terminally slow one at the end called (surprisingly) "Terminus", which works really well as a close to the LP. In short - I love this. One of my fave bands at the moment. More, more, more!"
'Bald Cactus' #8
As you might be able to guess, Andy is now on our X-mas card list... if we had one, that is.
Label: Words of Warning Records WOWLP24 1992
Side One: Annihilation Age/ Words Warning (Richardson/ Dale)/ Ground Zero (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ The Wheel Turns (Richardson/ Dale)/ Into the Flames
(Richardson/ Dale).
Side Two: Back Among the Blind (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ Reach out and Take it/ Running
out of Time (Richardson/ Dale)/ Getting Closer (Richardson/ Dale/ Niland/ Connolly)/ Terminus.
Line up: Chris Dale - Guitars, Paddy Niland - Bass, Steve Connolly - Drums, Mark Richardson -
Vocals.
Recorded at Bird Song in Ashby, Scunthorpe and engineered by Steve Bird. Mixed in a mind altering haze of smoke by the band and Steve in November 1992. All that smoke might explain the guitar breaks. Thanks are due at this point to Jill Borrelli for stumping up the cash to start the recording ball rolling (out of control).
QUOTES USED ON THE LYRIC SHEET
"The social revolution must consist... in nothing but the most absolute destruction of all existing instruments of 'order', to have free scope for the building of a harmoniously constituted society."
Johann Most
"Look at the prison you are in, we are all in. This is a penal colony that is now a Death Camp. Place of the second and final death. Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape."
W. S. Burroughs (The Western Lands)
REVIEWS
"This slab is pure scathing political punk in the vein of old Naked Raygun, but every time I think that, BOOM! - guitar solo - or the singer tries too hard to sing. Some urgency is quite present - something which I think really makes a good punk song - and if you can handle a guitar solo in every song (yeacchh!) then I'll recommend it... I think."
Funnily enough this was the first review I've ever seen that came with a...
"(second opinion: Crito's review is pretty much dead on, but I really dig this record. Lemmy meets Leatherface meets Class War, and the ruling class is running for cover. Fucking awesome stuff from a great, intelligent anarchist band. Pick it up."
'Profane Existence', Summer 1993. ... but I like guitar solos, oh yes I do!
"It fills you up with energy, it warms your heart... I still think I'll listen to Terminus when I'm 80!"
From Swiss 'zine 'No Sanctuary', March 1993.
The cheques in the post! Just joking, we're far too poor.
"Well at first, for some strange reason I didn't like this too much, but as I played it more and got used to the tracks I realize now that this is a fine LP. The lyrics I never had a problem with, they're excellent and so is the music, I suppose it's because I don't get the chance to sit and listen to much these days. Anyway, what I can now say, although Terminus may not agree, but this is the er, um thinking punks punk rock! - Howzat! Pacy tuneful punk rock backed up with
excellent lyrics and all my early thoughts completely blown away!!"
'Suspect Device' #18
"TERMINUS Back Among the Blind LP
Second LP for the amazing punk group from Scunthorpe, with more strong guitar work than the first, harder riffs, better songs, more sophisticated lyrics and always punk and not trash. Ten hymns to anarchy and life. Flawless."
'Stress' Magazine, issue VIII, April 1993, Athens, Greece (Translation courtesy of Thanasis Antoniou).
"Terminus - Back Among The Blind LP (Words Of Warning)
And you wade through a pile of bile and it seems like that elusive classic slab will never come to the surface, then... BANG, the new Terminus album. Almost Godhead. I say almost because as
with previous efforts the recording knocks them sideways. OK, so this is probably the closest they've got to getting it nailed down but still either lack of recording budget or poor choice of studio lets them down. I personally think Terminus could be a major force in British music, like
Leatherface, as they have a lot in common given the right studio. Well, now they've kissed Karl's ass with a song called Words Of Warning, and the Blagger's must be doing ok for him isn't it time to put some of the cash into promoting the labels brighter hopes?
(AT)"
'Vision On' #7
What's a "recording budget"?
"... at first I was a bit disappointed, I thought it was too metally but now I find the more I play it, the more I love it! Songs about fighting back and reclaiming this world before it's too late, done to some excellent, rocking, punk tunes like "Annihilation Age", "Words of Warning" and my fave - "Getting Closer". Plus a terminally slow one at the end called (surprisingly) "Terminus", which works really well as a close to the LP. In short - I love this. One of my fave bands at the moment. More, more, more!"
'Bald Cactus' #8
As you might be able to guess, Andy is now on our X-mas card list... if we had one, that is.
LONDON CLASS WAR BENEFIT 1992
Played on the 29th March 1992 at the NEW PEGASUS, Green lanes, London, with Stockwell and Strike, and the night after on the 30th March, with Blaggers ITA and Ugly Beat.
Line up: Paddy Niland - Bass, Chris Dale - Guitar, Steve Connolly - Drums and Mark Richardson - vocals and guitar.
Thanks to Jayne Connolly for driving, and Daz Lloyd and Doncaster Mark for putting us up on respective nights.
The Blaggers ITA were a favourite band of mine at the time.
Played on the 29th March 1992 at the NEW PEGASUS, Green lanes, London, with Stockwell and Strike, and the night after on the 30th March, with Blaggers ITA and Ugly Beat.
Line up: Paddy Niland - Bass, Chris Dale - Guitar, Steve Connolly - Drums and Mark Richardson - vocals and guitar.
Thanks to Jayne Connolly for driving, and Daz Lloyd and Doncaster Mark for putting us up on respective nights.
The Blaggers ITA were a favourite band of mine at the time.
CARRY ON TERMINUS
We played at the excellent 1in12 Club on a few occasions, this being a good example of the standard of luck and organisation the band 'enjoyed':
Three bands on the bill? Decadence Within didn't even start off to the gig, poor old Herb Garden broke down outside Bristol, whereas we managed only to blow a tire somewhere outside of Bradford! So after spending an hour on the hard shoulder we finally managed to make the gig only to find out no one else was going to make it. As we were due to use the Herb Gardens back line I was all set for a session at the bar when I was informed that an old drum kit had been dredged up from the basement and someone had borrowed a guitar amp... so, no piss up then? We played the gig with the salvaged kit (the bass drum skin went through first song and had a beer mat taped over the hole - I'll let you guess how long that lasted), the borrowed amp (cheers, whoever) and a di'd bass and rhythm guitar. Well, in hindsight, it was a larf. Carry on Terminus. A mention should be made to Jayne, Steves sister, who drove us to this gig and kept her head when the tire blew. Very professional. Unlike the rest of us!
We played at the excellent 1in12 Club on a few occasions, this being a good example of the standard of luck and organisation the band 'enjoyed':
Three bands on the bill? Decadence Within didn't even start off to the gig, poor old Herb Garden broke down outside Bristol, whereas we managed only to blow a tire somewhere outside of Bradford! So after spending an hour on the hard shoulder we finally managed to make the gig only to find out no one else was going to make it. As we were due to use the Herb Gardens back line I was all set for a session at the bar when I was informed that an old drum kit had been dredged up from the basement and someone had borrowed a guitar amp... so, no piss up then? We played the gig with the salvaged kit (the bass drum skin went through first song and had a beer mat taped over the hole - I'll let you guess how long that lasted), the borrowed amp (cheers, whoever) and a di'd bass and rhythm guitar. Well, in hindsight, it was a larf. Carry on Terminus. A mention should be made to Jayne, Steves sister, who drove us to this gig and kept her head when the tire blew. Very professional. Unlike the rest of us!