Xtraverts

Xtraverts are a punk group from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. They form in 1977 and split in the early 1980s after their lead singer, Nigel Martin, goes to prison following a fight at the Friars in Aylesbury. The band leave behind a strong local reputation, graffiti celebrating them around Wycombe, and three 7-inch singles.

Line-up

The band’s members include Nigel Martin on vocals, Glen Spicer and Steve Westwood on guitar, Mark Chapman on bass, and Richard Patrol or Andy Crawford on drums. They first use original drummer Dave Lee before he leaves and Andy Crawford takes over. Glen Spicer joins from the Plastic People as lead guitarist, and Mark Riley is the original 1977 guitarist before later going on to play with Matt Bianco.

Recordings and local reputation

The Xtraverts are described as High Wycombe’s leading punk band of the late 1970s, alongside Zyklon B, Plastic People, Relapse and the Jones Boys, who later become Red Beat. Their debut single comes out on a label set up by Spike Jones, formerly of the 1970s Buckinghamshire band the Shucks, and it gains them a few plays on John Peel’s shows. A shared single with the Plastic People is arranged through local businessman Lloyd Walker, who runs a record stall in Wycombe Fayre.

Media appearances and later release

The band appear on the local television programme Twentieth Century Box, hosted by Danny Baker, although the filming is disrupted by a motorbike and car collision involving Spicer’s Triumph motorbike and sidecar. Interest in the band later returns when Dizzy of Detour Records finds unreleased material and issues it as the first release on the Bin Liner imprint. That album includes contributions from a new drummer, Richard, a 14-year-old player borrowed from the local band Patrol.

Reunion and afterlives

Following the release of the archive material, the group reunite for new shows on 4 April 1997, with Steve McCormack on drums. McCormack has played with the band at different points and later impersonates Billy Idol on Stars In Their Eyes. Andy Crawford does not return, as his wife has barred him from the drum stool. The reunion does not last, and the project gradually fades.

Related projects

Glen Spicer later forms Cherry Black Dawn, which is active until 1993 and releases one single in 1984, “Blue Baby Blue”. Spicer is now Jacquie Blue and appears regularly on daytime television, speaking openly about gender reassignment. Nigel Martin is later reputed to work as a painter and decorator.