THE WALL – EPITAPH 7″ – Nr MINT UK 1981 PUNK

The Wall – Epitaph
(Polydor Records  1981   POSP365)
UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are some light surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)

Sleeve in Excellent condition
– some general wear

The Wall were an English punk rock band formed in Sunderland, England, in early 1978. They have released two studio albums.

Formed in early 1978, the initial line-up was Ian Lowery (vocals), Andy Griffiths (bass, vocals), John Hammond (lead guitar, vocals), and Bruce Archibald (drums), and this line-up recorded the band’s debut single, “New Way”, which was issued in April 1979. Played regularly by BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel, the single sold well over 10,000 copies. This success led Lowery and Griffiths to relocate to London, although Hammond and Archibald did not follow them permanently and were replaced by Nick Ward on guitar, and by Rab Fae Beith, former drummer with Patrik Fitzgerald (who The Wall had toured with) and The Pack. The band played many gigs around this time, with other Small Wonder bands such as Crass, and the Cockney Rejects. After meeting Paul Cook and Steve Jones, at a gig at the Moonlight Club, the two former Sex Pistols decided they wanted to work with the band, and produced the next single, the double A side “Kiss the Mirror” / “Exchange”, The Wall becoming the first punk band to have a record produced by an ex Pistol. Rab became the band’s manager, and when their first label Small Wonder ceased operating, he got them a deal with Fresh Records and went into the studio to record the next single “Ghetto”, produced by Jimmy Pursey. Although originally recorded with Lowery on vocals, it would be re-recorded with new singer Ivan Kelly (formerly of Ruefrex). Lowery had decided that Ward should be replaced, but the rest of the band disagreed and instead decided that Lowery should go. Lowery went on to form Ski Patrol (with Archibald) and The Folk Devils, as well as recording solo work and was highly regarded by John Peel and later influenced Kurt Cobain and the post punk era. He died in 2001. Former Straps guitarist Andy Forbes was also added to the line-up when Ward decided to leave the band.

“Epitaph” is a song by British punk band The Wall, released on Polydor Records in 1981.