
REVENGE, THE- Four Song 12" E.P.
If the original intent of punk rock was to reject the excesses of mainstream rock, strip things back to bare bones basics, jettison slickness and embrace a DIY ethic, then The Revenge were punk rock personified. Formed in 1977 in Cheshunt, London by Lol Hammond (vocals / guitar), Ian Strange (bass / vocals) and Dave Edgar (drums / vocals), these teenagers played most of London’s punk clubs, including the Roxy. The band self-released two singles in 1978 on their own Loony Records before disbanding in 1979. Both 7-inches were pressed in incredibly small amounts and now have legendary status amongst collectors going for ridiculous sums. According to Lol Hammond, “I was totally blown away to learn our second single was changing hands at £400 a pop! We probably recorded it for less!” The recordings are extremely raw, even by punk standards—particularly on the band’s first single, where the guitar sound is so tough and scuzzy it would not sound out of place on a volume of Back From The Grav