Rip Rig + Panic
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Rip Rig + Panic was a post-punk ensemble originating from London, established in 1980 and active until their split in 1983. Their name was inspired by a jazz record by Roland Kirk titled Rip, Rig and Panic. The founding lineup featured Sean Oliver on bass, Mark Springer handling piano, saxophone, and vocals, Gareth Sager covering guitar, saxophone, keyboards, and vocals, alongside drummer Bruce Smith—both Sager and Smith previously played with The Pop Group—and vocalist Neneh Cherry. Additional contributors to the group included saxophonist Flash (David Wright), vocalist Andi Oliver, trumpeter David De Fries, and violist Sarah Sarhandi. Following the band's dissolution, several members regrouped under the name Float Up CP before that project also concluded.
Drawing inspiration from The Pop Group’s musical direction, they merged avant-garde influences with jazz foundations, highlighted by Cherry’s inventive approach to pop and soul singing. Their sophomore album, I Am Cold, featured jazz trumpeter Don Cherry—Neneh Cherry’s stepfather—and they collaborated with Nico during a BBC Radio session.
History
The band came together in 1980 when Bruce Smith (drums), Gareth Sager (guitar/saxophone), and Mark Springer (piano) aimed to delve into free jazz and reggae styles while stepping away from The Pop Group's politically charged lyrics. After adding vocalist Neneh Cherry and bassist Sean Oliver to the lineup, they launched the single "Go! Go! Go! This Is It"/"The Ultimate in Fun (Is Going to the Disco with My Baby)" in August 1981. This release was acclaimed for successfully combining experimental sounds with mainstream accessibility.
Their first album, God (September 1981), showcased a fusion of free jazz, improvisational elements, post-punk energy, funk rhythms, and reggae influences. Critics praised its technical skill and unique aesthetic. In November of the same year, they followed up with the single "Bob Hope Takes Risks". Their second record, I Am Cold, embraced a more polished commercial style while expanding on jazz and world music motifs; it featured performances by Andi Oliver on vocals and Don Cherry on trumpet. The band also made an appearance on the British comedy series The Young Ones, performing the 1982 track "You're My Kind of Climate". Their third studio effort, Attitude (1983), was promoted through singles such as "Beat the Beast" and "Do the Tightrope".
Aftermath
Following Rip Rig + Panic’s breakup, most members except Mark Springer formed Float Up CP in 1984. This new group released the single "Joy's Address" and the album Kill Me in the Morning before amicably disbanding soon after. In 1985, Neneh Cherry and Bruce Smith collaborated briefly under the name God Mother & Country. Reflecting on Rip Rig + Panic’s conclusion, Cherry described it as a natural progression where each musician sought to explore individual creative ventures—referring to it as "an overspill into another overspill."
Band members continued their musical pursuits: Mark Springer embarked on a solo journey beginning with his 1984 album Piano, later collaborating again with Sarah Sarhandi in Swans and Turtles, while also establishing his own label called Exit. Sean Oliver contributed as a session player for Terence Trent D'Arby and co-wrote the 1987 hit "Wishing Well" before passing away in 1990 at age 27 due to sickle cell anaemia. In 2010, Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith reunited to revive The Pop Group, resuming both recording sessions and live performances. Meanwhile, Andi Oliver shifted her career toward becoming a chef and media figure within the UK.
Discography
- 1981: God
- 1982: I Am Cold
- 1983: Attitude
- 1985: Kill Me in the Morning (released under Float Up CP)