The Art Attacks
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | April 1977 |
| Founder | Edwin Pouncey, Steve Spear |
| Defunct | March 1978 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music, singles ("I am a Dalek"/"Neutron Bomb", "Punk Rock Stars"/"Rat City") |
The Art Attacks were a British punk group active between April 1977 and March 1978.
The band released singles such as "I am a Dalek"/"Neutron Bomb" and "Punk Rock Stars"/"Rat City". Founded by Edwin Pouncey and Steve Spear, who were students at London's Royal College of Art, the ensemble initially came together for a one-time college performance before expanding after playing at Wimbledon College of Art. Their music featured on the Live at the Vortex (NEMS) compilation with tracks like "Frankensteins Heartbeat" and "Animal Bondage," as well as on the Streets (Beggars Banquet Records) compilation with the song "Arabs in Arrads." The Art Attacks held numerous gigs throughout London venues including The Marquee, Nashville, and Vortex, where they supported well-known bands such as Generation X, 999, The Motors, and The Lurkers. Additionally, they toured parts of southern and northeastern England. Their recordings have been included in various punk anthologies and compiled alongside an unauthorized live recording on the Outrage and Horror album (Overground Records).
Initial rehearsals featured Rick Slaughter (who later joined The Motors) on drums and Rob Smith on bass. Drumming on "Rat City" was performed by Robert Gotobed (later known for his work with Wire). The final members of the group were:
- Edwin Pouncey (also known as Savage Pencil) – Vocals
- M.S (Marion Fudger, previously part of The Derelicts) – Bass
- Steve Spear – Guitar
- JD Haney – Drums (who later played with The Monochrome Set)
Tagmemics
After The Art Attacks dissolved, some members went on to establish Tagmemics. This new band played a single live show supporting The Monochrome Set in 1979 and released the single "Take Your Brain Out For a Walk" through LAX Records in 1980. The track received airplay on the Dr. Demento Show, where guest DJ Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo (performing as Booji Boy) introduced it on 19 October 1980, showcasing the band's distinctive sound despite their limited live appearances.