Music Mag Writer’s Pick #2: The Dark

Music Mag Writer’s Pick #2: The Dark

In the second Music Mag Writer’s Pick, the bat-light shines on one of the UK’s early underground acts: "You are what you wear, And you wear the scars" — The Dark.

The Dark formed in 1978 in Islington, London, quickly becoming part of the early UK underground. With Phil Langham (bass/vocals), Jim Kane (drums), John Flannagan (vocals), Billy O'Neil (guitar) and later Andy Riff (guitar), and guided by manager Noel Martin, they released a handful of singles including "My Friends/John Wayne" and "The Masque/War Zone". Performing at iconic venues like The Music Machine, The Marquee, and 100 Club, they recorded their debut LP Chemical Warfare. Their final lineup in 1982, with Langham, Charlie Casey (bass), Riff, and Razzle (drums), closed their short but influential career with the mini-LP The Living End, leaving a lasting mark on the punk/goth underground scene.

Selected track: The Masque — from their 1982 album Chemical Warfare, also released as a single. This track is also featured on, among others, Fresh Records’ The Punk Singles Collection and Mick Mercer’s Gothic Rock 3 – Black On Black – Best Of 80's Collection.

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