999 50th Anniversary Show

999 were first conceived in late 1976 when Nick Cash (vocals/guitar) and Guy Days (vocals/lead guitar), who were at school together, decided to form a group. Within a couple of months they had teamed up with Jon Watson (bass) and Pablo Labritain (drums) and 999 were officially born. Their first gig was at the Northampton Cricket Club in January 1977. Interest in the band was immediate and constant gigging around London brought with it critical acclaim and a hard core following of supporters from Southall, calling themselves The Crew.

 

The frenzy and raw energy of the early days were captured by their debut single 'I'm Alive' on the bands own Labritain label and sold well enough to become a minor hit. Next through their association with United Artists records the second and third singles, 'Nasty Nasty' and the now classic 'Emergency' were released both scaling the lower reaches of the charts and confirming 999 to be one of the major forces in the British New Wave Movement.

 

The first album titled simply '999' was released and was greeted with impressive sales and critical acclaim. Extensive touring took them throughout Britain and Europe where they now encountered full houses, including Middlesbrough Rock Garden.

The second album 'Separates' was released and immediately the single 'Homicide' leapt straight into the UK top forty without any radio airplay and was banned by the BBC and most radio stations.

 

Early 1979 saw the band embarking on their first U.S. tour, which was an achievement in itself, as they were still without a record deal in America at the time. Response to the band was ecstatic, all the venues being filled and import albums being sold out in a rush of enthusiasm.

 

In 1980 the band released their third studio album 'The Biggest Prize in Sport' which featured a track called 'English Wipeout' that actually mentions Middlesbrough Rock Garden. A UK Tour took place in January/February that year and the band played two memorable dates at the venue.

 

The fourth album 'Concrete' followed in 1981 which included the single 'Obsessed', initial copies came with a 999 patch. The legendary Vic Maile produced the album.

 

Since leaving United Artists in 1979 999 have recorded another eleven albums. Jon Watson was replaced in 1986 on bass by Danny Palmer and subsequently by Arturo Bassick in 1991. To date the band have completed 17 U.S. tours, played over 130 London gigs, more than 50 UK tours and over 30 European tours.

 

They released their last album 'Bish ! Bash ! Bosh !' in 2020.

 

A new album '999 On The Loose' is slated for release later on in the year.

 

SUPPORT BANDS: Nervous Twitch & Dead Hombres