Punishment of Luxury, also known as Punilux, are an English post-punk band, formed in Newcastle in 1976. They disbanded in 1984, but reunited briefly in the late 1980s, and again in 2007, and have been active since.

History

From a background working in English fringe theatre groups, Punishment Of Luxury formed in December of 1976, in Newcastle. Taking their name from an 1891 painting by

Giovanni Segantini Giovanni Segantini (15 January 1858 – 28 September 1899) was an Italian painter known for his large pastoral landscapes of the Alps. He was one of the most famous artists in Europe in the late 19th century, and his paintings were collected by ...

in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, the band consisted initially of Brian Bond (born Brian Rapkin - vocals), Neville Luxury (born Neville Atkinson - guitar, vocals), Red Helmet (guitar, vocals), Jimi Giro (bass guitar, vocals), and "Liquid" Les Denham (drums).Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 122-3 They released a single, "Puppet Life" on the

Small Wonder Small Wonder or variants may refer to: Film, television and theatre * ''Small Wonder'' (TV series), a 1985–1989 American sitcom * '' A Small Wonder'', a 1966 Australian television film * '' Small Wonders'', a 1995 documentary film * ''Small Wond ...

label in July 1978. In 1979 they signed to United Artists and released the singles "Engine Of Excess" with Mick Avery on drums, then with new drummer Steve Sekrit (born Steven Robson), made "Secrets", and the album ''

Laughing Academy ''Laughing Academy'' is the debut studio album by English band Punishment of Luxury, released in 1979 by record label United Artists United Artists Corporation (UA), currently doing business as United Artists Digital Studios, is an Americ ...

''. In the summer of 1979 they played at the Reading Rock Festival after The Cure and before The Tourists and Motörhead. 1980 saw the release of the single "Laughing Academy". An extensive European tour followed and United Artists sent the band into the studio to record another album, a concept album to be called ''Gigantic Days''. However while the recording was still going on, United Artists were taken over by EMI, who dropped the band. A final European tour was followed by Bond's departure. Neville, Sekrit and Giro recruited guitarist Tim Magenta to a new lineup, now going by the name Punilux. They released a further album on the Red Rhino label, ''7'' in 1983, with Magenta replaced by Rab Aitch, before Neville Luxury went solo, releasing the

mini-album A mini-LP or mini-album is a short vinyl record album or LP, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered full-length. It is distinct from an EP due to containing more tracks and a slightly longer running length. A ...

''Feels Like Dancing Wartime'' in 1984. The album ''Gigantic Days'' was finally released, on CD, in 1998 by Overground Records.

Reunion

In 2007, they reunited and played a few songs for the bassist Jimi Giro's 50th birthday party. A little more than a year later they landed a gig at a small pub in Gateshead, in the north-east of England called The Three Tuns. The gig was considered a success and was written about in The Guardian newspaper. On 12 June 2009, they played at

the Luminaire The Luminaire was a live music venue on Kilburn, London, Kilburn High Road in north west London, United Kingdom, UK. It opened on 1 March 2005 in what was a nightclub called Late, above McGovern's Pub and The Kilburn Bar. Its last public show was ...

in Kilburn, North London. They have performed intermittently since. The band released a CD of new material, titled ''5'', in March/April 2012. A definitive, career-spanning, five-CD box set was released on 8 November 2019, called ''Puppet Life (The Complete Recordings)''.

Discography

Albums

*''

'' (1979), United Artists *''7'' (1984), Red Rhino - as Punilux, UK Indie No. 12Lazell, Barry (1998), ''Indie Hits 1980-1989'', Cherry Red Books, , p. 180 *''Gigantic Days (the shelved LP)'' (1998), Overground *''5'' (2012, EP/CD mini-album)

Compilation albums

*''Revolution by Numbers'' (1997), Overground *''Puppet Life (The Complete Recordings)'' (2019)

Neville Luxury

*''Feels Like Dancing Wartime'' (1984), Red Rhino

Singles

*"Puppet Life" (1978),

*"Engine of Excess" (1979), United Artists *"Secrets" (1979), United Artists *"Laughing Academy" (1980), Liberty *"Hold Me (Never Mould Me)" (1983), Red Rhino - as Punilux, UK Indie No. 36 *"Alien Contact" (1989), P.U.K.

References

External links

Punishment of Luxury home pageJohn Peel Sessions tracklist and lineup from 1978 / 1979 Punishment of Luxury Myspace pagePunishment of Luxury Facebook page
{{Authority control English punk rock groups English pop punk groups English post-punk music groups Political music groups