The Outsiders were an English punk rock group, formed in 1975 in Wimbledon, England and consisting of singer-guitarist Adrian Borland, bass guitarist Bob Lawrence and drummer Adrian "Jan" Janes.[1] In 1978 Graham "Green" Bailey replaced Lawrence at the bass and then he and Borland would go on to form the critically successful post-punk band the Sound.
The Outsiders | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Syndrome (1975) |
| Origin | Wimbledon, England |
| Genres | Punk rock |
| Years active | 1975 (1975)–1979 (1979) |
| Past members | Adrian Borland Bob Lawrence Adrian Janes |
The Outsiders formed in Wimbledon, London, England in 1975 . They were originally called "Syndrome" but changed their name to the Outsiders in 1976, inspired by Albert Camus' novel The Outsider.[2]
Their debut studio album, Calling on Youth, was self-released on their Raw Edge label in May 1977,[3] and won them unfavourable reviews: "Apple-cheeked Ade has a complexion that would turn a Devon milkmaid green with envy", reported Julie Burchill of the New Musical Express.[4] It was the first self-released punk album in the UK.[3]
The band released an EP in November 1977, One to Infinity. NME writer Tony Parsons commented: "tuneless, gormless, gutless... I like them a lot".[5] The EP was praised in a less contradictory manner by other critics, including Mick Mercer.[6]
A second album, Close Up, was released in 1979. This received better, but still cautious, reviews from the press.[7] A NME review concluded that it was a patchy album, but from "a band with a future".[8]
After this album, Lawrence and Janes left, and Borland went on to front the critically successful post-punk group the Sound.[9][10][11]
Borland died 26 April 1999.[12][13]
In 1993, Three Lines Records issued the Vital Years compilation.