The Moors Murderers

The Moors Murderers was a short-lived punk band who caused controversy by naming themselves after the perpetrators of the Moors murders. The band was founded in 1977 by Steve Strange, later to be in Visage.[1]

This article is about the band. For the perpetrators of the Moors murders, see Moors murders.

The Moors Murderers
OriginLondon, England
GenresPunk rock
Years active1977–1978
Associated actsJohnny Moped, the Photons, Visage, the Pretenders, the Clash, the Psychedelic Furs, Adam and the Ants, Strange Cruise
Past membersSteve Strange
Soo Catwoman
Chrissie Hynde
The Kid
John
Vince Ely
Rob Egan
Tex
Topper Headon

History

Steve Strange got the idea to start a group called the Moors Murderers after a conversation with Soo Catwoman. They were initially a 'phantom' band who just did a photo session for the German magazine Bravo.[2] This was well received so Strange decided to form a real band using that name.

Their first gig was in December 1977. This was a benefit concert for the NSPCC, supporting the Slits at Holland Park Comprehensive School.[2] Some have suggested that this gig was actually played by the Photons under another name.[2] However others have stated that Chrissie Hynde was already in the band at this time.[3] This discrepancy may be due to the fact that for much of the time the two bands had interchangeable members.[4] The Moors Murderers played a further and final gig at the Roxy club on 13 January 1978.[2]

The band recorded one single for Jet Records called Free Hindley.[1] They approached the Sex Pistols producer Dave Goodman to produce it but he refused. However, he suggested that in order to show that they did not condone murder the B-side should be a version of the Ten Commandments set to music. This suggestion was accepted.[3]

In January 1978 the Sunday Mirror featured an article about the record under the headline 'Why must they be so cruel?'. It also showed a photograph of the band wearing hoods made from pillowcases.

Later that month Strange and Doughty were recognized on Oxford Street and physically assaulted.[1]. Shortly afterwards Strange announced in a Sounds magazine interview that he was abandoning the project.[3]

Line-up

Around early 1977
  • Steve Strange
  • Soo Catwoman

Around mid-to-late 1977 (The Holland Park School gig)

1978: probably last line-up

Discography
  • Free Hindley (acetate/bootleg single)
gollark: Why not also install lasers to demolish the building?
gollark: No.
gollark: It's not.
gollark: Interesting idea. I hate it, but still.
gollark: I already updated something like two of them.

References
  1. "Moors Murderers, The Band". Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  2. Andrew Gallix (9 May 2010). "The Moors Murderers". Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  3. Dave Goodman (10 May 2002). "Steve Strange -correction". Davegoodman.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  4. "The Photons". Punk77. April 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
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