Resistance 77

Resistance 77

Resistance 77 is a punk group from Nottingham. It forms in 1979 and later takes its name after first being discussed under the title The Anti Heroes. The name change reflects the band’s view that its sound is closer to the punk style associated with 1977 than to the harsher music then current.

Formation and early line-up

The original line-up includes Ian “Oddy” Hodson on vocals, Kieron Egan on vocals, Guy Naylor on guitar, Gary Naylor on drums and Mick Clarke on bass. The band’s first gig takes place in November 1980 at South Normanton Miners Welfare.

Early releases and chart success

The first release is Bricks in Brixton, which appears on the compilation LP Riotous Assembly. The band then releases the Nowhere to Play EP in late 1982, which sells 3,000 copies and spends 11 weeks in the Sounds punk chart, peaking at number 5.

1980s line-up changes and recordings

In 1983 Guy Naylor leaves and Marc “Luggy” Ludlam replaces him on guitar. After that, the band releases tracks on the Rot Records compilation LP Wet Dreams, followed by the Vive Le Resistance EP. The same line-up records the album Thoroughbred Men, released in 1984, which receives a four-star review in Sounds.

In 1988 Paul “Mushy” Marshall replaces Gary Naylor on drums. That year the band plays sell-out shows and reaches the final of The National Battle of the Bands competition. It then records the single You Reds to mark Nottingham Forest reaching the 1990 Littlewoods Cup final. The single comes about after footballer Stuart Pearce suggests the band record one, and it sells around 2,000 copies.

Later years, releases and live activity

Resistance 77 builds a following in the UK, the USA, the former Yugoslavia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Belgium. In 1990 Luggy leaves and Rob takes over lead guitar. Spike joins on rhythm guitar in 1992, and in 1996 Rob and Spike leave, with Tom Young taking over guitar. Also in 1996, the back catalogue is reissued on the CD Thoroughbred Men on Captain Oi Records.

The group plays in Belgium and at HITS in Morecambe, and is offered slots on the 2000 bill and at Holidays in the Smoke in Tufnell Park, London. In 2001 it releases Retaliate First on Captain Oi Records. After that recording, Tom Young leaves and Ellis Waring joins. The band continues to play across England and Europe, including appearances at HITS Blackpool in 2002 and HITS USA in New Jersey, as well as dates in Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic.

DVDs and later releases

In 2004 Resistance 77 releases its first DVD, Live in Trutnov, followed by Live at Rakovnik Punk Festival. Later that year it releases the CD Long Time Dead, and then the DVD H.I.T.S TO WASTED, which looks back over the band’s first 25 years and its different line-ups. In December 2004 drummer Mushy retires after a 16-year spell and Stuart Meadows replaces him. The line-up given at that point is Ian “Oddy” Hodson, Kieron Egan, Ellis Waring and Stuart Meadows.

Style and genre

The band is identified with punk, including Oi, street punk and punk rock.