Abrasive Wheels
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 in Leeds, England |
| Founder | Phil "Shonna" Rzonca, Dave Ryan, Robert Welch, Adam Rzonca |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Fate | Reassembled in 2002 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
| Website | www |
Abrasive Wheels is a punk rock group originating from Leeds, England, initially active from 1976 until 1984 and later reassembled in 2002. The band gained recognition for their steady presence on the Independent charts between 1980 and 1984. The founding members were Phil "Shonna" Rzonca (vocals), Dave Ryan (guitar), Harry Harrison (bass), and Nev Nevison (drums). In 2002, Rzonca revived the band with a fresh lineup.
History
Established in 1976, Abrasive Wheels' original roster included Phil "Shonna" Rzonca (vocals), Dave Ryan (guitar), Robert Welch (bass), and Adam Rzonca (drums). The band's name was inspired by Rzonca's background as an engineering apprentice. Their early gigs featured a Rock Against Racism event at Leeds Polytechnic and opening for UK Subs in Bradford. After some member changes, Mark Holmes and Dave Hawkridge joined, leading to a demo recording and tours with Slaughter & the Dogs. Following financial difficulties with a London-based record label, Rzonca and Ryan took the initiative to fund an EP themselves under their own Abrasive Records imprint.
Later lineup adjustments brought in Harry Harrison and Nev Nevison, both formerly of The Urban Zones, forming what Rzonca regards as the band's first definitive lineup. Their initial EP sold out all 3,000 copies through Red Rhino distribution and achieved number 35 on the UK Indie Chart. Signing with Riot City Records resulted in the release of the Vicious Circle EP and a reissue of their debut EP, both well-received within indie circles. Their first full-length album, When the Punks Go Marching In, came out in 1982. Subsequently, they joined Clay Records, releasing an Elvis Presley cover titled "Jailhouse Rock," followed by their second album, Black Leather Girl (1984), which showcased a more refined sound featuring vocal harmonies. After an international tour and another single release, the band dissolved in 1984.
Following the breakup, Rzonca worked as a taxi driver before starting pizza restaurants in Leeds. In 2002, he reassembled Abrasive Wheels with original members Dave Ryan, Harry Harrison, Nev Nevison, along with Steve Popplewell on second guitar. After performing several shows, Dave, Harry, and Nev exited; the band recorded a new album that has yet to be released. Rzonca and Popplewell continued with new members Eden, Chris, and Skruff, releasing the album SKuM in 2009.
Further personnel shifts saw Skruff replaced by Mickey Waddington in 2010 and Eden leaving in 2011. Guitarist Jordan Woodhead joined in 2013, followed by Mat Black and drummer Lloyd Rees-Carr in 2014 as the group began creating new material and resumed local performances. They appeared at Rebellion Festival in August 2014 to a sold-out crowd. Later that year, Jordan and Lloyd departed due to internal disagreements; Mickey Waddington returned on drums while Alex Greatrex joined as guitarist.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK Indie | ||
| When the Punks Go Marching In |
|
3 |
| Black Leather Girl |
|
8 |
| Skum |
|
— |
| "—" indicates albums that did not chart. | ||
Live albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Captured Live! |
|
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| The Punk Singles Collection |
|
| The Riot City Years 1981–1982 |
|
Video albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Limited Edition |
|
EPs
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK Indie | ||
| The Army Song (ABW EP) |
|
35 |
| Vicious Circle EP |
|
12 |
| The Army Song (ABW EP) |
|
24 |
| Nothing to Prove |
|
— |
| "—" indicates releases that did not enter the charts. | ||
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK Indie | ||
| "Burn 'em Down!"/"Urban Rebel" | 1982 | 14 |
| "Jailhouse Rock"/"Sonic Omen" | 1983 | 13 |
| "Banner of Hope" | 10 | |
| "The Prisoner"/"Christianne" | 1984 | 27 |
Additional song releases
- "Maybe Tomorrow," a re-recorded version from Black Leather Girl, issued as a download-only single (2007)
- "Skum," the title track preview for an upcoming album, streamed on Myspace between 2008 and 2009
- "Fight the Enemy," another pre-release from the forthcoming album, available on Myspace streaming (2008–2009)
- "Crazy Town," previewed from a future album and streamed on YouTube in 2014
Appearances on compilations
- "Criminal Youth," featured on Riotous Assembly (Riot City – 1982)
- "Army Song" and "Shout It Out," included in 100% British Punk
- "Banner of Hope," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Prisoner," part of the Clay Records Punk Singles Collection
- "Army Song," present on Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 1
- "Vicious Circle," included in Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 2: Further Changes
- "Burn 'em Down," featured on Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 3: The Final Solution
- "Vicious Circle," "Army Song," and "Burn 'em Down," all appearing on Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.1)
- "Juvenile" and "Urban Rebel," found on Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.2)
- "Sonic Omen," included in If The Kids Are United – The Punk Box Set