Formed in 1980 and disbanded in 1981, the obscure Welsh post-punk band Violin Sect left behind just one seven-inch, “Highdays and Holidays/Rivals,” documenting their brief existence. In fact, they’ve flown so low on the radar since then that they were even overlooked for the Messthetics compilations, the CD series that brought the sounds of the many forgotten and amusingly-named UK DIY bands of their time and ilk to a (relatively) wider audience. This started to change in 2019, however, when Sect bassist Steve Walker posted a couple of previously unreleased songs that he’d dug up to Soundcloud, where Minimum Stacks label head Joe Piccirillo heard them as his label was just getting off the ground. Fast forward to 2023 and we have the Vile Insect 12-inch, featuring all four songs from the band’s short life transferred from the original ¼" tapes. The result, to Andrew Forrell of Dusted’s ears, is a mix of “dubby rhythms, scratchy post-punk guitar, whimsy and skepticism,” able to stand with Scritti Politti’s “Skank Bloc Bologna” and Swell Maps “Read About Seymour.” And thanks to this release, it’s finally in a position to reach the audience it deserves.
Although Walker’s bandmates — Steve Jinks (guitar), Phil Rimmell (drums) and Hywel Pontin (percussion and backing vocals) — were unavailable to take part, Walker has assembled a list of some of his favorite music, art and literature from his 67 years on earth for Dusted. “A snapshot within a snapshot,” if you will.
The Raincoats
I was lucky enough to catch a London gig by the Raincoats in 1979 around the time they released their first single. This year Gina Birch (bass/vocals), also 67, has released her first solo album, I Play My Bass Loud, and it’s been worth the wait. Here’s an early one from the first Raincoats LP, though.
Mica Levi — “Lips”
I got the same sort of excitement when I first heard Mica Levi, together with their bandmates in Micachu and the Shapes. Their work has continued to grow and encompasses other genres such as film soundtracks (e.g., Jackie).
Sufjan Stevens — “Video Game”
I first became aware of Sufjan Stevens with the release of Illinois and caught him at the end of his UK tour promoting it at King’s College London with a pared-down (although still with those wondrous wings) extra gig. In later years he was in Bristol on the Carrie & Lowell tour. Sublime. Here’s a later track with fabulous dancing.
Saul Leiter — In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life
I’ve spent a lifetime as a specialist nurse supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to maintain and develop their independence together with practicing as a part time psychotherapist for the general public, within the UK’s National Health Service. During this time, I’ve drawn, painted, made music but mainly taken photos (since I was a kid with a darkroom). Maybe there’ll be an exhibition of my own one day but, like Saul Leiter, I’m used to “postponing things and seeing no reason to be in a rush.” For me, his exhibitions and photobooks have a magical quality that validate and inspire all at the same time.
Ivor Cutler
Ivor Cutler always had my heart but here’s an epic that didn’t feature on his own albums.
Angeline Morrison — The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience
In 2022 Angeline Morrison released an astonishing album… I’m afraid that I can’t stop myself recommending it to people! If you get a chance…
Paul Wright — Arcadia
Arcadia is a short film that explores Britain’s relationship with the earth, its secret pasts, hidden histories and collective amnesia using old film and TV footage in an exhilarating fashion.
Wet Leg — “Chaise Longue,” live at the BRIT Awards, 2023
A performance from the here and now, incorporating the past with the present in a truly WTF moment at the Brits!
Gretchen Gerzina — Black England
Books… so many books! So, here’s what I’m currently reading.
Anthony Gormley — Another Place
Finally… if ever in Liverpool, visit Crosby Beach and experience Antony Gormley’s sculpture. It consists of 100 cast iron figures facing towards the sea, (gradually becoming encrusted with barnacles, etc.) all modeled on Gormley’s own naked body.
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In 1981, four Welsh lads decided to form a band, play some gigs, record a single and release it on their own label Cheek to Cheek (A Porky Prime Cut!). As the sole output of a short-lived band, Violin Sect’s “Highdays and Holidays/Rivals” is one of those ultra-rare post punk 7” singles that has become a fetish object for collectors. It is by no means the most expensive or sought-after record ever, but for all the strip mining of obscurity, Violin Sect have never made an appearance on any of the many compilations of DIY, post punk and experimental pop singles released over the years. In 2022 singer and bass player Steve Walker dug out the old tapes and had them remastered along with two demos not heard since the original session. New Jersey label Minimum Table Stacks have now sent them out into the world, probably to a mix of joy and chagrin from the cratediggers collective.
All this begs the question, origin story aside, is it any good? Well yes actually. Walker and his bandmates, Steve Jinks on guitar, Phil Rimell on drums and Hywel Pontin percussion and backing vocals, were clearly fans of Scritti Politti and Swell Maps and with their DIY mix of dubby rhythms, scratchy post punk guitar, whimsy and skepticism made a record that can stand with “Skank Bloc Bologna” and “Read About Seymour.” It’s a little undercooked but has an immediacy and enthusiasm that goes a long way to overcoming the band’s technical deficiencies.
Walker’s bass provides the focus of the four tracks on Vile Insect. Whether laying down a rubbery counterpoint to the cowbell skank of “Holidays and Highdays” or the bouncing over cobblestones riff on “MILK” it forms the spine around which the voices, guitar and percussion are free to wander, occasionally tripping over each other like capering puppies. Walker’s voice which ranges between Dan Treacy’s willful amateurism, and the warbling eccentricity of Ivor Cutler is something of an acquired taste, but it suits the looseness of the music. ”Fit & Anxious” is the outlier, an echo laden rhythm with Hywel Pontin’s sprechgesang and Jinks’ guitar creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that sounds both completely of its time and presciently modern.
Violin Sect are one of many who had a moment and disappeared. It’s taken 40 odd years but happily for us, their music has a new life and hopefully will get a little of the attention it deserves.
