“There’s still that unresolved thing where we haven’t had the last hug and a drink. I was very, very sad when he died”: The chaos and carnage of The Lords Of The New Church, punk’s first supergroup
This feature revisits the story of The Lords Of The New Church, an 1980s punk "supergroup" whose career was marked by bad decisions, bad luck and debauchery. It brought together musicians from several already-notable bands, and the piece draws on a 2005 interview with bassist Dave Tregunna and guitarist Brian James, who has since died, to look back on a group that seemed destined to fall apart.
The band united guitarist Brian James of The Damned, singer Stiv Bators of Cleveland's Dead Boys, bassist Dave Tregunna of Sham 69 and drummer Nicky Turner of Barracudas. Despite their pedigree, the article argues their sound and image went beyond novelty, blending punk, sleaze, goth, glam and rock'n'roll influences rather than fitting neatly into any single genre, and their story is described as one of glory, unpredictability and unresolved personal loss among the surviving members.
- Feature recalls 80s punk supergroup The Lords Of The New Church
- Formed from members of The Damned, Dead Boys, Sham 69, Barracudas
- Based on 2005 interview; guitarist Brian James has since died