Riot Squad

Riot Squad

Riot Squad is a UK punk band from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. It forms in 1981, when the original line-up comes together in Shirebrook, and remains active in later years. The group includes Wayne Butler, Chedd, Gerry, Lee, Duncan Mason, Paul Pommi Palmer and Staz.

Formation and early years

The band first plays small local gigs around Mansfield before touring more widely across the UK. The original line-up features Dunk Mason on vocals, Paul “Pommi” Palmer on drums, Nigel “Nello” Nelson on guitar and Wayne Butler on bass. After the early shows and tours, the band attracts interest from Mansfield label Rondolet Records and signs to the company.

Recordings and line-up changes

Riot Squad’s first release on Rondolet is the Fuck the Tories EP, produced by Mike Stone. It is followed by Riots in the City. After that, Nelson leaves and is replaced by local guitarist Staz, although he only stays for a short tour. Mason then leaves to set up his own record label, which later becomes Rot Records.

In 1983, the band changes line-up again. Wayne Butler moves to guitar, local bassist Ched joins on bass, and lead vocals pass to Lee, an ex-roadie and Butler’s brother. With this formation, Riot Squad starts playing across the UK and records at Cargo Recording Studios in Rochdale.

Independent releases

At Cargo, the band records Don’t Be Denied, followed by I’m OK, Fuck You, which reaches No. 2 in the independent charts and is kept from the top position by Johnny Rotten’s Death Disco and Public Image Ltd. Around this period, the band appears on the front cover of Punk Lives magazine. A third EP, There’s No Solution, follows.

Later history and compilation material

In 1984, Lee is imprisoned for GBH and the band falls out with Rot Records over royalties. Riot Squad leaves the label, and Mason releases the band’s singles and some unreleased demos on the LP No Potential Threat. The group then disbands, before Annagram Records later issues the band’s songs on the compilation Punk Singles Collection.