Billyclub

Billyclub is a punk band from Kenosha, United Kingdom, active since 1995. The group begins in 1995 and works across punk, hardcore punk and old school punk rock, with a US/UK punk identity reflected in its history and line-up changes.

Early years and first releases

The band starts gigging after forming in March 1995 and builds a following through live shows. Its first release is a 7-inch single pairing “Self Help” with a cover of 999’s “Homicide”. That single draws attention, including a review in Billboard. The debut album, It’s Better to be Pissed Off, follows in 1996.

After a first successful US tour, Billyclub relocates to Dallas. It then releases another 7-inch, “I Saw God”, on Sour Records, and begins work on a follow-up record.

Line-up changes and mid-period releases

When Kurt leaves, Dave Woodard, formerly of REO Speeddealer, joins and the band resumes writing and recording. The next album, Out to Lunch, appears in June or July 1998. Another US tour follows, after which the band changes again: Kevin leaves and Terry Bones, known for work with Discharge, UK Subs and Broken Bones, joins on the basis of his reputation and experience.

Cold Front Records then releases the Serve Loud EP after seeing the band live. Further touring continues across the west coast and midwest of the United States.

GBH tour and late-1990s recordings

In 1999 Billyclub joins the GBH US tour during winter. During that run, Terry Bones often appears on stage with GBH to perform Discharge’s “Realities Of War”, while Ross joins Billyclub to play “Surf”. This tour leads to the Idol EP Punk as Fuck and the Punkrockambulance EP, on which Casey Orr of GWAR plays bass and Kurt contributes backing vocals.

FUVM and first split

After a break from touring, Terry Bones leaves for Kansas, and Kurt wants the original line-up restored so the band can finish what it starts. Dave departs, and Billyclub returns to a line-up with Kevin and Kurt. A small east coast tour follows but goes badly, and interpersonal problems continue, especially between Matt and Kurt. The band’s experiences and Kurt’s personal problems are reflected in the FUVM EP, released on Hello in 2000. Songs on that release include “Big F”, “Die Already” and “FUVM!”. This is the last recording Billyclub makes with the original line-up, and the group ends in 2001, though it plays some reunion shows when Karl returns to Dallas.

Reformation and No Justice

In 2002 Karl moves back to the UK and starts assembling a new version of the band with Mok and Andy already in place. After a few changes on bass, John Kitson joins; he has previously played with Karl in Xtract. Billyclub plays the first Concrete Jungle festival, where Keith from Cultjam Records sees the set and offers the band a place on the label. The album is already recorded, so only the artwork changes, and Cultjam releases No Justice in 2007.