The Fall

The Fall is an English post-punk group formed in Prestwich, United Kingdom, in 1976 and active until 2018. Founded by Mark E. Smith, the group becomes one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the punk era, with a sound that develops into a more unusual and hard to categorise style while still remaining rooted in post-punk.

Style and approach

The band is known for frequent line-up changes and for a constant emphasis on experimentation. Its music shifts according to who is playing in the group at the time, and it is associated with post-punk, new wave, punk, alternative and indie, as well as alternative dance, alternative rock, art punk, art rock, electronic and experimental rock.

Mark E. Smith remains the only permanent member throughout the group’s existence. His lyrics are wide-ranging, irregular in structure and resistant to straightforward interpretation, while his voice is often described as unusual rather than conventionally polished. His delivery is shaped by rhythm, energy and personality as much as by melody.

Members

The Fall’s line-up changes repeatedly over the years and includes Una Baines, Martin Bramah, Mark E. Smith, Karl Burns, Kay Carroll, Jonnie Brown, Yvonne Pawlett, Marc Riley, Mike Leigh, Craig Scanlon, Steve Hanley, Paul Hanley, Brix Smith, Simon Rogers, Simon Wolstencroft, Marcia Schofield, Kenny Brady, Dave Bush, Julia Adamson, Adrian Flanagan, Tommy Crooks, Kate Themen, Karen Leatham, Tom Head, Neville Wilding, Adam Helal, Spencer Birtwistle, Ed Blaney, Jim Watts, Ben Pritchard, Dave Milner, Brian Fanning, Elena Poulou, Simon Archer, Steven Trafford, David Spurr, Pete Greenway, Keiron Melling, Tony Friel, Daren Garratt, Colin “Roxy” Rocks, Rob Barbato, Martin Beddington and Thomas Murphy.

Members leave or are dismissed frequently, often with little notice.

Recordings and legacy

The Fall records 24 sessions for John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 programme, making it one of his regular favourites. The group’s catalogue includes 29 studio albums, alongside many compilations and semi-official live releases.

Notable albums include Live at the Witch Trials, Dragnet, Totale’s Turns (It’s Now or Never), Grotesque (After the Gramme), Perverted by Language, Hex Enduction Hour, This Nation’s Saving Grace, Bend Sinister, Extricate, Middle Class Revolt, The Infotainment Scan, Country on the Click also known as The Real New Fall LP, Fall Heads Roll and Reformation Post TLC.

Later history

Mark E. Smith dies in 2018 at the age of 60. The group’s reputation rests on its long, unstable history, its large number of former members and its persistent commitment to change and experimentation.