Abrasive Wheels

Infobox musical artist
Name = Abrasive Wheels


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Genre = Punk rock
Years_active = 1976—1984, 2003—present
Label = Riot City, Clay
Associated_acts =
Also Known As =
Current_members = Phil "Shonna" Rzonca
Eden
Steve Popplewell
Chris
Skruff
Past_members = Dave Ryan
"Harry" Harrison
"Nev" Nevison
Robert Welch
Adam Rzonca
Mark Holmes
Dave Hawkridge
Notable_instruments =

Abrasive Wheels were an influential punk rock band of the late 1970s/early 1980s. They hailed from East Leeds, England and were seldom out of the Independent charts between 1980 - 1984 when the band split. The band were Shonna - Vocals, Dave - Guitar, Harry - Bass, Nev - Drums. In 2002 the singer Shonna reformed the band with new members.

History

The band formed in 1976 and initially consisted of Phil "Shonna" Rzonca on vocals, Dave Ryan on guitar, Daves cousin Robert Welch on bass guitar, and Phils brother Adam Rzonca on drums.Glasper, Ian (2004) "Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984", Cherry Red Books, ISBN 1-901447-24-3] The name Abrasive Wheels was inspired by Shonna's engineering apprenticeship, where signs stating "Danger! Abrasive Wheels!" were regularly seen. They made their first public appearance at a friend's party in 1977, which was followed by a Rock Against Racism gig at Leeds Polytechnic. They were given a support slot opening for the UK Subs in Bradford, after which Adam and Rob left the band, eventually replaced by Mark Holmes and Dave Hawkridge. With this line-up the band recorded their first demo, and toured with Slaughter & the Dogs. After losing money trying to get a record released by a London label Dave and Shonna financed their own EP, releasing it on their Abrasive Records label. Hawkridge and Holmes then left, to be replaced by "Harry" Harrison on bass and "Nev" Nevison on drums, both previously of The Urban Zones, this is considered by Shonna to be the band's first "proper" line-up. The EP was picked up by Red Rhino distribution and soon sold out of its 3000 pressing, reaching number 35 on the UK Indie Chart. The band then signed to Riot City Records and issued the "Vicious Circle" EP, which was followed by a re-release of their debut EP, both again indie hits.Strong, Martin C. (1999) "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1] Their debut album, "When the Punks Go Marching In", was released later in 1982. They then signed to Clay Records, and released a cover version of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock". Their second album,> "Black Leather Girl" was released in March 1984, displaying a much slicker and glossier sound with vocal harmonies, but after a further single, the band split later that year after a lengthy international tour.

Shonna worked as a taxi driver before opening pizza parlours in Leeds, and working on the local market.

Shonna formed a new version of the band in 2002, with Dave, Harry and Nev, and Steve Popplewell on second guitar. Dave, Harry and Nev left after several gigs. A new album was written and recorded during this brief time but has never been released. Shonna and Popplewell continued, recruiting Eden, Chris, and Skruff.

Discography

Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart. [cite book |last=Lazell |first=Barry |title=Indie Hits 1980-1999 |year= 1997 |publisher=Cherry Red Books |isbn=0-9517206-9-4 ]

Albums

* "When the Punks Go Marching In" (Riot City Records - 1982) #3
* "Black Leather Girl" (Clay Records - 1984) #8

ingles

*"The ABW EP" (1981) Abrasive #35
* "Vicious Circle" EP (1981) Riot City #12
* "Army Song" EP (1982) Riot City #24
* "Burn 'em Down/Urban Rebel" (1982) Riot City #14
* "Jailhouse Rock"/"Sonic Omen" (1983) Clay #13
* "Banner of Hope"/"Law of the Jungle" (1983) Clay #10
* "The Prisoner"/"Christianne"/"Black Leather Girl" 12" EP (1984) Clay #27
* "Nothing to Prove" EP (SOS Records) (2005-2007)
* "Maybe Tomorrow" download only single (2007)

Retrospective releases (CDs)

* "The Riot City Years 1981 - 1982" (2003) Anagram Records
* "When the Punks Go Marching In" (inc. additional singles tracks) (2006) Captain Oi!
* "Black Leather Girl" (inc. bonus singles tracks) Captain Oi!
* "The Singles Collection" Captain Oi!

Compilation appearances

* "Criminal Youth" appears on "Riotous Assembly (Riot City - 1982)"
* "Army Song" and "Shout it Out" appear on "100% British Punk"
* "Banner of Hope", "Jailhouse Rock", and "Prisoner" appear on "Clay Records Punk Singles Collection"
* "Army Song" appears on "Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 1"
* "Vicious Circle" appears on "Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 2: Further Changes"
* "Burn 'em Down" appears on "Punk and Disorderly, Vol. 3: The Final Solution"
* "Vicious Circle", "Army Song", and "Burn 'em Down" appear on "Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.1)"
* "Juvenille",and "Urban Rebel" appear on "Riot City Punk Singles Collection (Vol.2)"
* "Sonic Omen" appears on "If The Kids Are United- The Punk Box Set"

References

External links

* [http://www.abrasivepunk.com/ Official website]
*
* [http://www.punkrockers.com/Abrasive%20Wheels Abrasive Wheels profile on PunkRockers.com]