Delta 5
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Leeds , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Delta 5 was a post-punk ensemble originating from Leeds, England.
Career
Formed within the Leeds University art school milieu alongside contemporaries such as Gang of Four and The Mekons, Delta 5's initial members—Julz Sale (vocals/guitar), Ros Allen (bass), and Bethan Peters (bass)—came together informally but rapidly integrated into the local post-punk scene. The group later incorporated Kelvin Knight on drums and Alan Riggs on guitar, both formerly of Dead Beats. Their sound merged feminist themes with a distinctive dual-bass funk-punk style reminiscent of Gang of Four, culminating in their 1979 debut single "Mind Your Own Business."
Delta 5 played an influential role within the Rock Against Racism campaign and were notably involved in a widely publicized attack associated with the opposing Rock Against Communism faction.
After releasing their follow-up single "You," the band embarked on a successful U.S. tour and transitioned from Rough Trade to Charisma Records' Pre label. Their first album, See the Whirl, was criticized for its excessively refined production, which contributed to disappointing reviews and sales, ultimately leading to the group's breakup.
Post-breakup
Post-disbandment, bassist Bethan Peters collaborated on Fun Boy Three's sophomore album Waiting and toured with them, while other members largely stepped back from music. Despite this, Delta 5’s recordings attracted an international following after their active years ended. A notable example includes Japanese band Shonen Knife covering "You" with translated lyrics under the title "Saboten" ("Cactus") on their 1982 debut Minna Tanoshiku.
In 2006, Kill Rock Stars issued a compilation called Singles & Sessions 1979-1981, capitalizing on a resurgence of interest in post-punk pioneers like Gang of Four and Wire. This release comprised previously unreleased material, BBC radio sessions, and live performances.
Drummer Kelvin Knight died on 2 December 2015 due to liver and kidney failure at age 56. Julz Sale, vocalist and guitarist, passed away from cancer in Thailand on 20 September 2021.
Legacy
"Mind Your Own Business" endures as Delta 5’s signature track, having been interpreted by various artists including Chicks on Speed, Le Shok, R. Stevie Moore, Pigface, and Dum Dum Girls. The song featured prominently in episode five of the television series Sex Education (2019), appeared in the BBC drama The A Word (2020), and was used in an Apple advertisement in 2021.
Albums
- See the Whirl (1981)
Compilation albums
- Singles & Sessions 1979-1981 (Kill Rock Stars; CD; 2006)
Singles
- "Mind Your Own Business" / "Now That You've Gone" (1979, Rough Trade Records)
- "Anticipation" / "You" (1980, Rough Trade Records)
- "Try" / "Colour" (1980, Rough Trade Records)
- "Shadow" / "Leaving" (1981)
- 6 (12" EP compiling first three singles) (1981, Base Records)
- "Powerlines" / "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" (1982)
External links
- Delta 5 – Mike Appelstein, 2006
- Discogs artist page
- IMDb profile
- Musical groups established in 1979
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981
- English new wave musical groups
- British political music groups
- Post-punk groups from Leeds
- Rough Trade Records artists
- Charisma Records artists
- 1979 establishments in England
- 1981 disestablishments in England
- Female-fronted musical groups