Potential Threat

Potential Threat

Potential Threat are a punk group from Blackburn, United Kingdom, formed in 1981. The band goes through a long series of line-up changes over its early years, with members including Carl, Les Donnelly, Fos, Keith, Pauline Beck, Andy, Shaun, Langy and Ersy.

Early line-up and first releases

The first stable line-up features Fos, Carl and Les Donnelly, with drummers changing frequently during rehearsals and early activity. The band plays only a small number of gigs at this stage, including a performance at the Cats Whiskers Club in Burnley that ends in disorder and sees the band forced off stage.

After Carl leaves, the group returns in 1982 with Pauline on vocals, Fos on bass, Les on lead and Keith on drums. This line-up releases the debut 7-inch Whats So Great Britain. A planned second single is recorded after a change of drummer, but it is not released, though the session is captured on videotape.

Later line-ups and recordings

In 1984, Les and Keith depart and Andy joins on bass with Shaun on drums, while Fos moves to lead and Pauline remains on vocals. This version of the band signs to Cor Records and releases the 7-inch Brainwashed. After further personnel changes, the group settles into a line-up that lasts for three years and records its debut album Demand An Alternative, issued on Conflict’s Mortarhate label in 1985.

A second album is recorded for Mortarhate but not released at the time. In 1987, the band releases Blood Money on a split 7-inch EP on German label Recordrom Records. The Mortarhate album is later issued as Never Again.

Later activity

The final and most consistent line-up features Pauline on vocals, Fos on guitar, Langy on bass and Ersy on drums. From this line-up, Fos and Ersy continue to be active in other recording and gigging projects. Fos joins Mad Kenny of Blackburn band the Original Mushrooms in Urban Valley Chickens, while Ersy plays and records with Blackburn punk band Boredom U.K.