18th December 1977
new songs, keyboard player
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Jim,
Charlie,
Brian and
Tony have been writing new songs and reherasing in
Tony's uncle's factory. One song, in particular, is
completley unlike anything they've written before - it's called
Pleasanty Disturbed.
The band are looking to recruit a keyboard player. Adverts have been played in the local press.
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20th November 1977
single released, band split
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Chiswick have finally released Saints And Sinners.
Label boss Ted Carroll said it was too late to change the name on the single
to Simple Minds, so it's been issued under the old Johnny And The Self Abusers
name.
John Milarky and
Alan McNeil have left
Simple Minds. They were unhappy with the changes within the band and
will be continuing on their own as The Cuban Heels.
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9th November 1977
new name, single delayed, new demos
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In a surprise move,
Jim Kerr has renamed the band
Simple Minds.
"I began to feel Johnny And The Self Abusers sounded like Big Dick And The Four Skins. I can do without
that kind of toilet humour" he said.
The new name was inspired by a line in David Bowie's The Jean Genie.
Jim also said they were trying to get the name changed on the delayed
single.
The band have also visited Ca Va Studios and recorded a
7 track demo tape of original material.
Subway Sex is great whilst
John Milarky's composition,
Pablo Picasso, finally makes a studio appearance. (It's been a live
favourite over the summer).
No news of a possible release yet.
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1st August 1977
single delayed
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Chiswick have delayed the release of the single by a few weeks.
Tensions are building in the band. It seems that they are getting bored with punk and would like to
try different directions.
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15th April 1977
abusers signed
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Chiswick love the demos and the name, and they're signing the band this month. They're going to release a single in August.
Meanwhile, the The Abusers are still gigging around Glasgow. A date has been lined up
at Zhivago's.
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1st April 1977
demo tape
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The Abusers have recorded their first
demo tape. It includes their first original songs:
Saints And Sinners and
Dead Vandals.
They hope to cut a single, so copies have been sent to various record companies, including
punk friendly Stiff Records and Chiswick Records in London.
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2nd March 1977
live dates
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After their successful debut at the Doune Castle,
Johnny And The Self Abusers will be supporting Generation X
in Edinburgh.
Check local press for punk nights. You'll always find The Abusers listed there.
Further gigs can be found here.
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