Wasted Youth are an English post-punk band from London, initially active between 1979 and 1982. The original line-up of the band was Ken Scott (vocals and guitar), Rocco Barker (guitar), Nick Nicole (synth), Darren Murphy (bass) and Andy Scott (drums).
Rocco Barker later went on to join the band Flesh for Lulu. Andy Scott joined Cockney Rejects.
Darren Murphy died of cancer in February 2012. Andy Scott died of cancer in May 2020.
In October 2021, Ken Scott and Rocco Barker announced that they were reviving Wasted Youth, with new members Ray ‘Sonic’ Hanson (from Thee Hypnotics) on guitar, Alan Temple (from The Low Gods) on drums and Teresa Casella (of Miranda Sex Garden) on bass. Josef Rosam (from Dorothy Vallens) later joined in March 2022 on second bass, synth and percussion. The first show for the reformed band sold out within hours of going on sale. Sabrina Amade (from Dorothy Vallens) replaced Teresa Casella on bass in March 2023.
Since reforming, the band have gone from strength to strength touring the country, playing festivals such as Rebellion, Wide Awake and supporting acts such as the Psychedelic Furs and PWEI (Pop Will Eat Itself).
Whilst paying respect and having great love for the ‘old’ Wasted Youth, the ‘new’ Wasted Youth are not a nostalgia act, and are eager to prove that they have something new to offer, both visually and sonically. This will be the third year in a row the band have played on Teesside since they reformed.
Turning Black Like Lizards from the West Midlands make a long overdue return to Teesside as support with Grant Schofield DJ from Blaises, The Kirk & Peppermint Park providing the music in between the bands.
