External Menace

External Menace are a punk band from Coatbridge, Scotland, formed in 1979. The group begins when John Sneddon, then 15, and Wullie Hamill’s band The L-Plates are joined by bassist Sandy Halkett, then 12, and Rab Bell on drums. That line-up records a 1979 demo and later secures a deal with Beat the System Records.

Early years and name change

After a brief split, during which Sneddon records a double A-side with The Snap Ons, Sneddon returns with Wullie and Sandy Halkett, and Derek Paterson replaces Bell on drums. The group adopts the name External Menace and signs to Beat the System in 1982. Their first release is the Youth of Today EP, followed in 1983 by the four-track No Views EP.

Line-up changes and later activity

After a period of frequent gigs in larger venues, relations with Wullie Hamill deteriorate. Tommy Wallace briefly takes over vocals before leaving for London, after which the band is reduced to a three-piece and Sneddon moves to lead vocals. Over the following years, the group uses several alternate names while still performing External Menace material. With Beat the System no longer operating, the band issues several compilation tracks on Rot Records.

Wullie Hamill dies in 1987. A decade later, the group is revived when Captain Oi Records shows interest in a compilation of the band’s earlier releases. Additional recordings are made to complete the Pure Punk Rock album, released in 1995. By then the line-up includes Col on drums, Westy on bass, Kev Taylor on guitar, Jim Sneddon on guitar, and Welshy and Sneddon sharing vocals. Sneddon remains part of the current performing line-up.

Recordings in the 1990s and beyond

In 1997, External Menace release the Seize the Day EP with former Swine Flu members Stu Davis on drums and Billy Dunn on bass, alongside Bobe Copeland and Sneddon on guitars. Welshy’s vocals become a prominent part of the band’s sound. This line-up tours Europe three times, tours the UK, plays numerous festivals, and records Process of Elimination within a year. That same year, they also release a split EP with Rectify on Suspect Device Records. The following year, Process of Elimination appears in Germany with a split EP with Recharge on Epistrophy Records. The album is later reissued in the US on Doctor Strange Records in 2004.