THE DEFECTS
It was back in 1978 in their native Belfast that The Defects first started. Playing covers of classic punk songs to a few friends at legendary clubs like The Harp Bar and The Pound led to a healthy local following and the band’s name proudly sprayed across the backs of numerous studded leather jackets. The original line up was, buck Murdock on vocals – Glenn Kingsmore on drums – Marcus Duke on guitar and Geoff Gilmore on bass, in 1980 Geoff made way for Gary Smith.
The Defects debut 7 inch vinyl single ” Dance until you drop ” was released in 1979 and sold well enough to attract the attention of Melody Maker’s punk journalist Carol Clerk, herself a native of Northern Ireland. Clerk told promoter John Curd about the band and he signed them to his WXYZ label without having even met them!.
A support slot to Chelsea at London’s 100 Club,The Defects first UK gig, convinced Curd he’d signed a hot band and so he secured them the support slot on labelmates The Anti Nowhere League’s legendary ” So What ” UK tour to coincide with the release of their second single ” Survival ” (ABCD 3).
A second UK tour,this time supporting The Meteors, preceded the release of the debut album ” Defective Breakdown ” with favourable press reviews for the LP the band again undertook a UK tour.
The Defects third single was a cover of the old Elvis classic ” Suspicious Minds ” it was a change of direction for the band and spelt the end of an era.
The band did play one more gig with Buck as their frontman, it was a support slot to THE CLASH in their favourite venue The Ulster Hall.
The remaining members played one more gig with 999 as a trio (with Glenn singing and playing drums!) before the short but eventful career of The Defects came to an end in 1984.
Fast forward to 2009. Buck and Glenn were asked to reform the band to play in australia and they agreed. They have been jamming hard with Roy McAllister on guitar and Aidy on bass and have already played a few gigs in Belfast.