Xtract

Xtract is a punk act from San Jose, with synthwave listed among its genres and synthwave tracks noted in its output. The group forms in 1979, although it treats 1980, when Harvi joins, as the point at which it really starts. Its active history runs through several line-up changes and periods of breakup and reformation.

Early years and line-up changes

The original line-up is Harvi on vocals, Mick on bass, Karl on guitar and Kip on drums. Around 1982 to 1983, Mick quits and Rod replaces him on bass. In 1984, Paigy joins on guitar, with Mick back on bass, Kip on drums and Harvi still on vocals. By 1985, Harvi tries to restart the band after the earlier split, but Kip has stopped drumming and Mick is not interested in returning, so Harvi recruits Barny on guitar, Dylan on drums and Jon Kitson on bass.

Recordings and releases

Xtract signs to Pax Records and appears on the compilations Punks Dead? nah mate the smell is something in yer underpans and Bollocks to the Gonads. It also issues a four-track single and contributes a track to the Bullshit Detector compilation released by Crass. Later, it records two tracks for the A v a rotton Xmas compilation on Rot Records.

Live work

The group plays many shows in and around Bolton, Wigan, Blackburn and the Manchester area, and also performs in Yorkshire and London. In one period it plays the 100 Club in London, supports GBH, UK Subs and Broken Bones there, and later supports the Adicts and King Kurt at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall. After Karl leaves for the Exploited in 1983, the band falls apart; after he returns from that group in 1985, he rejoins Xtract before another final split. Harvi later brings together former members again for a jam in April 2005, the first time since 1983 that Harvi, Mick, Kip and Karl play together.

Members mentioned

Harvi, Mick, Karl, Kip, Rod, Paigy, Barny, Dylan and Jon Kitson are all part of Xtract’s history, with Karl also spending time in the Exploited.