The Flowers of Romance (band)
Encyclopedia
The Flowers of Romance were an early punk
band
, formed in mid-1976 by Jo Faull and Sarah Hall. The band never played live or released any recordings
, and, like London SS
and Masters of the Backside
, are more famed for the number of band members that later became well known, including: Sid Vicious
of the Sex Pistols
, Keith Levene
(an early member of The Clash
and later of Public Image Ltd.
) and Palmolive
and Viv Albertine
, who went on to play in The Slits
. Despite never playing live, they were interviewed by a fanzine
named SCUM, in which Sid Vicious proclaimed "I'll just be the yob that I am now".
The song "Belsen Was a Gas
" originates from this band, and was later performed live by the Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd, as well as Sid Vicious' solo act. Also, Viv Albertine wrote "So Tough" for this band, with the song eventually appearing on The Slits
' debut album Cut
.
The band's name subsequently became the title of an early Sex Pistols song
, "The Flowers of Romance", as well as a 1981 Public Image Ltd. album
and song, Flowers of Romance
.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, formed in mid-1976 by Jo Faull and Sarah Hall. The band never played live or released any recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, and, like London SS
London SS
London SS were an early British punk rock group founded in March 1975 by guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Tony James.The band spent most of their short history auditioning potential members. Besides Jones and James, however, guitarist Brian James was the only other semi-permanent member...
and Masters of the Backside
Masters of the Backside
Masters of the Backside was an early British punk rock group. They never released a recording or performed beyond practice sessions, but the group's members went on to greater success: Chrissie Hynde later fronted The Pretenders, and Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies all became...
, are more famed for the number of band members that later became well known, including: Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious was an English musician best known as the bassist of the influential punk rock group Sex Pistols...
of the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, Keith Levene
Keith Levene
Keith Levene is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was an early member of The Clash, but is best known as being a founding member of Public Image Limited, along with John Lydon....
(an early member of The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
and later of Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
) and Palmolive
Palmolive (musician)
Palmolive was the stage name for Spanish-born drummer Paloma McLardy, née Paloma Romero. Palmolive was a songwriter and the original drummer for influential punk groups The Slits and The Raincoats....
and Viv Albertine
Viv Albertine
Viv Albertine is a British singer and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for the influential, all-female English punk group, The Slits....
, who went on to play in The Slits
The Slits
The Slits were a British punk rock band. The quartet was formed in 1976 by members of the bands The Flowers of Romance and The Castrators. The members were Ari Up , who died of cancer in October 2010, and Palmolive , with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt replacing founding members, Kate Korus and...
. Despite never playing live, they were interviewed by a fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
named SCUM, in which Sid Vicious proclaimed "I'll just be the yob that I am now".
The song "Belsen Was a Gas
Belsen Was a Gas
"Belsen Was a Gas" is one of the most controversial songs by the British punk rock band Sex Pistols. The song is about one of the concentration camps in Germany during World War II, i.e...
" originates from this band, and was later performed live by the Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd, as well as Sid Vicious' solo act. Also, Viv Albertine wrote "So Tough" for this band, with the song eventually appearing on The Slits
The Slits
The Slits were a British punk rock band. The quartet was formed in 1976 by members of the bands The Flowers of Romance and The Castrators. The members were Ari Up , who died of cancer in October 2010, and Palmolive , with Viv Albertine and Tessa Pollitt replacing founding members, Kate Korus and...
' debut album Cut
Cut (The Slits album)
Cut is the debut album by The Slits. It was originally released in September 1979 on the Island Records label in the UK and on Antilles in the U.S...
.
The band's name subsequently became the title of an early Sex Pistols song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
, "The Flowers of Romance", as well as a 1981 Public Image Ltd. album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
and song, Flowers of Romance
Flowers of Romance (album)
The Flowers of Romance is the third studio album by Public Image Ltd, released in the UK in April 1981 by Virgin Records.The title of the album makes reference to The Flowers of Romance, an early punk band of which Keith Levene was a member...
.
Personnel
- Sid Vicious - Vocals and saxophone
- Keith Levene - Guitar
- Viv Albertine - Guitar
- Jo Faull - Guitar
- Marco PirroniMarco PirroniMarco Francesco Andrea Pirroni is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer...
- Guitar (very briefly) - Sarah Hall - Bass
- Palmolive - Drums