NotSensibles

NotSensibles are a punk group from Burnley. They form in 1978 and remain active, with Gary Brown and Kevin Hemingway listed as members. Their early years are marked by organised chaos, a determination not to compromise, and a reputation for loud, messy live shows that mix punk music with visual gags and audience baiting.

Early activity and Manchester connections

The band answer an advertisement in Sounds promising gigs in Manchester and begin playing around the city and across the north of England. They take part in the Manchester musicians collective scene, appear at Band on the Wall, and come into contact with a number of then-unknown or emerging figures including Martin Hannett, the Fall, Joy Division, the Spherical Objects, Hilda Ogden, A Certain Ratio and the Buzzcocks. Their influences include Steve Diggle and the Buzzcocks, along with the Rezillos.

Recordings and releases

Their first record deal leads to Death to Disco, issued in 1979 on Bent Records. Gary Brown joins on bass, having come from the Pathetix. Their second single, I’m in Love with Margaret Thatcher, is released on Redball Records and reaches number one in the independent charts; its B-side is Teenage Revolution. The band also release I am the Bishop/Telephone Rings Again, produced by Paul Fox of the Ruts. Their album Instant Classic appears in 1980, originally on Bent Records, and receives a five-star review from Sounds. A later reissue has a front cover designed and drawn by Alan Whalley, also known as Boffo, who later becomes associated with Chumbawamba.

Broadcasts, festivals and live work

NotSensibles record a John Peel session at Maida Vale in early 1980, though they are later banned from there after a microphone is taken. They appear on BBC2’s Arena programme in a feature on Futurama festival in Leeds. They also play Futurama in September 1980, sharing the event with acts including Gary Glitter and U2, and later play the Electric Ballroom in August 1981 with Splodgenessabounds and Peter and the Test Tube Babies. The group tour scout huts in remote locations and perform at Letcliffe Park in Barnoldswick, where their appearance provokes local complaints. They support a range of pressure groups, including campaigns for the right of dogs and their owners to use parks freely.

Line-up changes and later activity

Manager Tubby Pickles is soon replaced by Simon Wagbeard. Sage leaves in October 1981 and is replaced on guitar by Paul Wright. After a final run of shows, the band pause following a gig at Coventry Polytechnic in March 1982. They return in August 1996 for the first Wasted/Holidays in the Sun festival in Blackpool, with Scott Wilkinson of Walter Mitty’s Head taking over guitar duties from Paul Wright. Another reunion follows in August 2005 for the 25th anniversary of the Railway Workers. The group later works in the studio on new material.