The Rezillos - History Part 2

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 History Part 1 

In true fashion the ironic Top Of The Pops single gave them a hit and you guessed it an appearance on Top Of The Pops. Another tour was lined up this time with label mates the Undertones. 6 dates through a 36 date tour however the band split up. Fay Fife had caught laryngitis but basically she and Eugene weren't happy with the production and direction of the band and hadn't been for some time.  The Destination Venus single stalled and a lot of money was lost leaving the ex members a £1000 in debt.

They played three farewell gigs, the last of which at the Glasgow Apollo, was released as a final album in April 79 'Mission Accomplished' which has its moments

   

After the split Eugene Reynolds and Fay Fife both went on to form the Revillos a band in a similar vein but who only ever really enjoyed moderate success and a high turnover of personnel. .

The rest of the band:

Joe Callis - Guitar
Simon Templar - Bass
Angel Patterson - Drums

formed Shake before they split and Joe Callis joined The Human League for their mega album Dare co -writing such mega songs as Don't You Want Me.

 
Were they punk rock?
"We're definitely not a punk band!...Having fun is what we are all about, and if that's what the New Wave stands for, then we are definitely New Wave" 
Hi Fi Harris 27.8.77  NME

In their own terms the Rezillos were a new wave beat group. A dizzy 18 month rise to fame was in my view unsustainable. Brash visually and fantastic tunes but how do you progress? In the end out of all the punk bands who railed against the faceless record company monoliths like The Sex Pistols and The Clash, The Rezillos were the ones who in the spirit of punk said f**k you to Sire, rebelling against being forced make records to order and then have them packaged and promoted in a way that reflected the latest market trends.

That takes balls, and The Rezillos my friends, had great big flashy cohones.  God bless 'em!