The Cortinas (punk band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Bristol , United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Cortinas were a punk rock group originating from Bristol, active between 1976 and 1978. Guitarist Nick Sheppard later became a member of the Clash. Their initial single, "Fascist Dictator" (released June 1977), earned recognition in a prominent British music publication’s compilation of top punk tracks.
Biography
Taking their name from the Ford Cortina automobile, the band transitioned from R&B roots to embrace punk styles influenced by acts such as the New York Dolls and The Stooges.
They cultivated a dedicated local fanbase, although their growing popularity occasionally resulted in crowd disruptions.
Frequently performing in London, The Cortinas were among the earliest punk bands to appear at the Roxy Club, opening for The Stranglers in January 1977 and subsequently headlining several shows. In June 1977, they led a performance at the Marquee Club and supported artists including Blondie and Chelsea.
Their first two singles, "Fascist Dictator" and "Defiant Pose," were released through Step Forward, a label managed by Miles Copeland and Mark Perry.
Shortly after "Fascist Dictator" was issued, on 16 July 1977, they recorded a session at Maida Vale 4 studio for John Peel on BBC Radio 1, featuring the songs "Defiant Pose," "Television Families," "Having It," and "Further Education."
After signing with CBS Records, The Cortinas produced one album, True Romances. Critics observed it as a more accessible blend of rock'n’roll, R&B, and pop-rock compared to their earlier punk releases. Some reviewers highlighted tracks like "Ask Mr. Waverly" and "I Trust Valerie Singleton" as elevating the album beyond mediocrity. According to AllMusic’s Wilson Neate, the record marked a return to their 1960s R&B influences with a pop-oriented approach that contrasted with their initial punk sound.
Post band careers
- Guitarist Nick Sheppard performed with Bristol showband The Spics before joining the final lineup of The Clash, contributing to their sixth studio album Cut The Crap. He also played with Head. After relocating to Perth, Australia in 1993, Sheppard established local groups Heavy Smoker and the New Egyptian Kings alongside Shakir Pichler. He currently operates the Elroy clothing store in Mount Lawley.
- Guitarist Mike Fewings continued his musical pursuits with Bristol-based bands Colortapes and Essential Bop.
- Bassist Dexter Dalwood shifted focus to a successful career in visual arts, represented by Gagosian Gallery and nominated for the Turner Prize in 2010.
- Jeremy Valentine serves as a Media lecturer at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
- Daniel Swan moved to the United States where he played with the Sneetches and worked during the early 1990s at Cahn-Man Management in Oakland, managing artists such as Green Day and Jawbreaker. In 1998, he founded Swan Entertainment, a booking agency based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Studio album
- True Romances (CBS, 82831, April 1978)
Singles
- "Fascist Dictator"/"Television Families" (Step Forward, SF 1, June 1977)
- "Defiant Pose"/"Independence" (Step Forward, SF 6, December 1977) Also available as a 12-inch single
- "Heartache"/"Ask Mr. Waverly" (CBS, CBS 6759, November 1978)
Compilation
- Mk.1 (Bristol Archive, 2010)