The Bleach Boys

The Bleach Boys are a punk rock band originally from Hitchin in Hertfordshire who have been together since 1976.^[1]

Originally known as the Fur Coughs, the group's first gig was on the 9th April 1977 supporting Ultravox at Hitchin College (now known as North Herts College). Their new name was given to them by the philosopher Simon Critchley, and is a play on The Beach Boys. Over the years, the band have released a series of records including in 1978 their 7 inch single "Chloroform", which was featured in Record Collector as one of the most collectable punk singles. Recent releases have been all on CD, the latest being We've Got the Bomb released on their own Zombie International label.

The most recent change in line up saw Rob Hague ex of S*M*A*S*H leaving to be replaced by Mark who became the 9th drummer to be used by the Bleach Boys.

The band played the Rebellion Festival at Blackpool, England, in 2010 and 2011 and earlier in 2011, recorded a new two track CD single with Andy Davis, who was responsible for their first CD. This was released in December 2011 and features the new songs "Guantanamo Baby" and "Deathlist 2". The band are to return to Rebellion in 2016; the festival's 20th year.

On 9 July 2010 the band played the ROTW festival in their hometown of Hitchin. The irony being that after 34 years of existence, they were on the "BBC Introducing" stage. Subsequently, a live recording of Gauntanamo Baby from the event was broadcast on BBC Three Counties Radio

The bands latest recording is a split vinyl single on No Front Teeth Records featuring Guantanamo Baby and Deathlist.

In 2015, Frankenstein, the bands original founder and vocalist died after a long battle with leukaemia. The band organised a charity gig in Hitchin and raised thousands of pounds in favour of Bloodwise, the charity which provided support to his family. With the help of Rave Up Records from Rome, the band released a 12 Vinyl single of old songs entitled Fur Cough from the Grave, some of which were previously unreleased in Frankenstein's memory.

September 2018 saw the band in Sound Savers Studio in Homerton, recording three tracks; "Tapeworm", "Plastic Sex" and "No Moral Fibre". Currently it is planned these will be released on vinyl and as downloads before the end of 2018.

Discography

• "Chloroform" / "You've Got Nothing" - 7 inch single (1978)
• "Stocking Clad" - 12 inch single (1982)
• "Children of Wallyworld Go Wild for Kicks" - Cassette (1983)
• 4 Cyclists of the Apocalypse CD (1987)
• "The Bicycle Song" - 7 inch single (1992)
• Taking the O out of Country CD (2002)
• Brain Plug Ins Spaghetti – CD compilation (2004)
• We've Got the Bomb CD (2009)
• Guantanamo Baby/Deathlist 2 CD single (2011)
• Guantanamo Baby/Deathlist 2 Split Vinyl single (2014)
• Fur Cough from the Grave 12" Vinyl Album (2016)

References

External links

• Official website
• A history of British Punk