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The Adverts

From Alfawiki
The Adverts
Company typePunk rock group
IndustryMusic
Founded1976
FounderT. V. Smith, Gaye Advert
Defunct1979
Headquarters
London
,
England
Area served
United Kingdom, Europe
Key people
T. V. Smith, Gaye Advert, Howard Pickup, Laurie Driver
ProductsMusic albums, singles

The Adverts were an English punk rock group established in 1976 and active until late 1979. They stood out as one of the earliest punk outfits to break into the mainstream UK scene; their 1977 single "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" climbed to No. 18 on the UK singles chart. The Virgin Encyclopedia of 70s Music recognized bassist and founding member Gaye Advert as the pioneering "first female punk star".

History

Originating in 1976, The Adverts were formed by T. V. Smith (Tim Smith) from Okehampton, Devon, alongside Gaye Advert (Gaye Black) from Bideford, Devon. After relocating to London, they enlisted guitarist Howard Pickup (Boak) and drummer Laurie Driver (Muscat), completing the band's lineup.

The Roxy, London's inaugural live punk venue located in Covent Garden, played a pivotal role in their early development. Between January and April 1977, The Adverts performed there nine times. Following a support slot for Generation X, Michael Dempsey took on management duties. Their second live appearance supporting Slaughter & the Dogs was recorded, with their track "Bored Teenagers" featured on the UK Top 30 compilation The Roxy London WC2. After opening for the Damned in February, they secured a contract with Stiff Records. In March, they supported the Jam at the Roxy.

During April, The Adverts recorded four sessions for John Peel at BBC Radio 1. Their debut single "One Chord Wonders" was released by Stiff Records on 29 April 1977 and received acclaim from Melody Maker and Sounds. Written by TV Smith, the lyrics were self-aware and reflected the band's unpolished style.

They embarked on national tours alongside Stiff labelmates the Damned and later supported Iggy Pop, while also headlining tours across Britain, Ireland, and Europe.

On 19 August 1977, The Adverts issued "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" via Anchor Records. This provocative song referenced American criminal Gary Gilmore’s request to donate his eyes after execution. It was lauded by Sounds as "the sickest and cleverest record to come out of the new wave" and appeared on Mojo magazine’s list of top punk singles.

Following media controversy and an appearance on Top of the Pops, The Adverts attracted considerable attention. Lead vocalist Smith was praised for encapsulating the spirit of the time through his songwriting, while Gaye Advert became emblematic as a female punk icon noted for her unique image.

Their next single "Safety in Numbers," released in October 1977, did not chart; however, "No Time to Be 21," released in January 1978, reached the UK Top 40.

Their first album, Crossing the Red Sea, launched on 17 February 1978 by Bright Records, is widely regarded as a landmark punk album. Critics hailed it as one of the finest records from both the punk movement and the broader 1970s era.

After signing with RCA Records, The Adverts released three singles that received positive reviews: "Television's Over" (November 1978), "My Place" (June 1979), and "Cast of Thousands" (October 1979), but struggled to maintain their earlier success. Their sophomore album, Cast of Thousands (October 1979), saw lineup changes including drummer Rod Latter replacing Driver and keyboardist Tim Cross joining. Subsequent personnel shifts involved Paul Martinez on guitar and Rick Martinez on drums.

Soon after this release, former members Pickup and Latter threatened legal proceedings over unauthorized use of The Adverts' name. The band disbanded shortly following manager Dempsey’s accidental electrocution. Their final show took place at Slough College on 27 October 1979. Afterward, T.V. Smith continued with various musical endeavors before embarking on a solo career starting in the 1990s.

Critic Dave Thompson stated that among late-1970s British bands, The Adverts remain unparalleled in terms of lyricism, performance intensity, dedication, and bravery.

Former members Tim Cross passed away on 9 July 2012, while Howard Pickup died on 11 July 1997.

Studio albums

Singles

  • "One Chord Wonders" / "Quickstep" (1977, Stiff Records)
  • "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" / "Bored Teenagers" (1977, Anchor Records) Peaked at UK No. 18
  • "Safety in Numbers" / "We Who Wait" (1977, Anchor Records) UK chart position No. 52
  • "No Time to Be 21" / "New Day Dawning" (1978, Bright Records) Achieved UK No. 34
  • "Television's Over" / "Back from the Dead" (1978, RCA Records)
  • "My Place" / "New Church" (1979, RCA Records)
  • "Cast of Thousands" / "I Will Walk You Home" (1979, RCA Records)

EPs

Live albums

  • Live at the Roxy Club (1990, Receiver Records)
  • Live and Loud !! (1992, Link Records)

Compilation albums

  • The Wonders Don’t Care: The Complete Radio Recordings (1997, Burning Airlines)
  • The Punk Singles Collection (1997, Anagram Records)
  • The Best of The Adverts (1998, Anagram Records)
  • Anthology (2003, The Devils Own Jukebox)

Selected compilation appearances

  • "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" featured on:
  • "One Chord Wonders" included on:
  • "Bored Teenagers" appeared on:
  • The Roxy London WC2 (1977, Harvest Records) UK No. 24
  • The Roxy London WC2 – A Live Punk Box Set box set (2005, Castle Music)
  • If the Kids Are United: The Punk Box Set box set (2008, Castle Music)
  • "No Time to be 21" featured on The Great British Punk Rock Explosion (1991, Link Records)

See also

Sources

Further reading

  • The Life & Times of T.V. Smith authored by Dave Thompson (1988, Private publication)

External links

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