The Rivals

The Rivals

The Rivals are a UK punk band from Ramsgate. The group forms in 1976 and is active until 1981. The core early line-up is Mark Edwards on guitar and vocals, Paul Leinster on bass and vocals, and Mark Hebden on drums. Hebden later leaves and is replaced by Paul Daley on drums; this line-up of Edwards, Leinster and Daley is the best-known and accounts for most of the recorded material associated with the band.

History and line-up

The band starts with Edwards and Leinster, who are childhood friends, before Hebden joins on drums. After Hebden departs, Daley becomes the drummer and remains with the group until 1981. When Daley leaves, Stan Gretsch takes over on drums for a short period. Gretsch dies in a car accident later that year, and the band dissolves.

Recordings

The Rivals release two singles during their active years. In 1978, they issue a vinyl release on Sound on Sound with the tracks “Skateboarding in the UK” and “Top of the Pops”. In 1979, they release “Future Rights/Flowers” as a single, followed in 1980 by “Here Comes The Night/Both Sides”. A compilation of their material, ...If Only, appears in 2007.

Related note

Paul Daley later forms the electronic duo Leftfield with Neil Barnes.