- Vic Godard
Infobox Musical artist
Name = Vic Godard
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Vic Napper
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Genre =Punk rock
Occupation =Singer-songwriter
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Associated_acts =Subway Sect
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Notable_instruments =Vic Godard (born Vic Napper in
Bristol ,England ) is a Britishsinger-songwriter formerly of the punk groupSubway Sect . He is now a solo performer.ubway Sect
In 1976, Godard formed Subway Sect with three other fans of the
Sex Pistols at the suggestion of Sex Pistols managerMalcolm McLaren , who wanted another band for the line-up of the100 Club Punk Festival . Despite their inexperience, Subway Sect made a successful debut at the festival. They appeared withThe Clash on the White Riot Tour in 1977 and released their debut single, "Nobody's Scared' / 'Dont Split It", in March 1978. While recording their debut album at Gooseberry Studios, the band's managerBernie Rhodes suddenly fired the entire band except for Godard. Only one track from the album's recording sessions, "Ambition", was released by Rough Trade records; the single was a major hit on the alternative charts.Godard re-formed Subway Sect in 1980 with new musicians and released the album "What's The Matter Boy?" Following a summer tour with
Buzzcocks , Subway Sect disbanded again. Guitarist Johnny Britten formed arockabilly band but was soon forced to leave the group, at which point Godard stepped in to take his place. They recorded the album "Songs For Sale" in 1981, but were disappointed with the results and disbanded soon after. Godard also recorded an LP atOlympic Studios , called "T.R.O.U.B.L.E.", with a group of Londonjazz musicians known as Working Week, which was eventually released two years later byRough Trade Records .In the mid-1980s, Godard retired from music and became a
postman .1990 to present
In 1990, Godard wrote the song "Johnny Thunders", a tribute inspired by reading the obituary of the New York Dolls guitarist who had recently passed away. It was recorded at the home of Paul Baker, a fellow postman. Godard also recorded ten other tracks. The recordings eventually became the album "The End of the Surrey People" and was released on the
Postcard Records label produced by Edwyn Collins and featuring the Sex Pistols' Paul Cook on drums.Later in the 1990s, Godard formed the band Long Decline with Kenny Wisdom and Mark Perry. The band released an album on the Overground label before disbanding in 1998, but re-formed in 2000 with Godard, Wisdom, Lee McFadden, and Mina Sassoon, among others. Godard contributed guitar and some songwriting, but not lead vocals,
In 1998, Godard released the album "Long Terms Side Effect" on Tugboat record
In 2002, Godard released the album "Sansend.", reprising the name Subway Sect once more.
In 2005, Godard's label Motion Records released the "Singles Anthology" compiling all A-sides and B-sides from Godard's career.
In 2007, as Subway Sect, Godard recorded the songs that were intended for the debut LP back in 1978, and released them as "1978 Now". The line-up includes original drummer Mark Laff. Original bass player Paul Myers also features on some of the tracks.
External links
* [http://www.3ammagazine.com/musicarchives/2002_nov/interview_vic_godard.html 2002 interview]
* [http://www.motionrecords.com/vic_home.html Vic Godard site]
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