UK Decay

UK Decay

UK Decay is a post-punk and gothic rock group from Luton, England, formed in 1978 after a short period as The Resistors. The band is active from 1978 to 1982 and is associated with the early development of the goth and “positive punk” scenes. Its line-up includes Twiggy, Steven Abbott, Steve Harle, Nostramus, Justin Saban and Martyn Smith, with several members using alternate names because so many of them were called Steve, including Steve Abbott, who is known as Abbo.

Early years and live work

UK Decay builds a reputation in the late 1970s and early 1980s by playing alongside many of the original London punk bands. The group becomes part of the wider punk-to-goth crossover scene at a time when bands such as Bauhaus and Theatre of Hate are moving in a similar direction. It also helps newer groups including Southern Death Cult and Sex Gang Children by giving them support and gigs.

Recordings and releases

The band releases several singles and an LP on Fresh Records, a label that also carries Play Dead and The Dark. Its later recorded album, Rising from the Dread, is recorded in 1982 on Corpus Christi, the Crass label. The cassette-only A Night for Celebration captures the band’s final show in December 1982.

Line-up changes and later projects

After the bassist is dismissed in 1980, UK Decay travels to the United States with the help of Jello Biafra and brings in the 16-year-old American bassist Jason Creeton from Social Unrest. After the group breaks up, the remaining members go on to form Furyo and In Excelsis with members of Ritual, another post-punk and early goth band.

Style and legacy

UK Decay’s earlier singles are described as strongly punk-oriented, while the band is also linked to compilations covering both punk and gothic music, including Punk and Disorderly. It is part of the group of acts that helps define the transition from punk into gothic rock in the early 1980s.