Play Dead were a Post-Punk/Gothic Rock band from Oxford. It was formed in November 1980 with members Rob Hickson on vocals, Pete Waddleton on bass guitar, Mark "Wiff" Smith on drums and Re-Vox on guitar (who in 1981 was replaced by Steve Green). Over the course of 5 years the group released 3 albums, a six-track mini-album and a swathe of singles, as well as forming their own label Tanz Records in 1985.
In 1984 Hickson & Waddleton created the Darkwave project Mankinds Audio Development with keyboardist Nick Van der Grinten, Play Dead's guitarist Steve Green and backing vocalist Mich Ebeling of Look Back In Anger. More had been produced for the outfit, but after the dissolvement of Play Dead in 1986 future plans were scrapped.
In 1992 a remixed edition of their 2nd album was released under the title 'Resurrection', featuring bonus tracks. This was the third edition of the original record (it would be reissued again under its former title on CD in 2007).
In 2023 Jungle Records would release '[m3001529]', a compilation documenting the back catalogue of the group. That same year would see the label also releasing the bands' John Peel Sessions on vinyl.
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May 15, 2008
93 Feet East
London, England, United KingdomDecember 22, 1985
The Porterhouse
Retford, England, United Kingdom1. Shine
2. This Side of Heaven
3. Last Degree
4. Witnesses
5. Burning Down
6. Company of Justice
7. Break
8. Caught on the Thorns
9. Judgement
10. Sacrosanct
11. Tenant
12. Walk Away
13. No Motive
December 22, 1985
Bowes Lyon House
Stevenage, England, United Kingdomlast ever gig by the original band
1. Shine
2. This Side of Heaven
3. Last Degree
4. Witness
5. Burning Down
6. Company of Justice
7. Break
8. Caught on the Thorns
9. Judgement Day
10. Sacrosanct
11. The Tenant
12. Propaganda
December 21, 1985
The Porterhouse
Retford, England, United KingdomDecember 20, 1985
Paradise Club
Preston, England, United KingdomDecember 18, 1985
The Dome
London, England, United KingdomDecember 14, 1985
Les Bateliers
Namur, Namur, BelgiumDecember 13, 1985
Masure 14
Tournai, Hainaut, BelgiumOctober 24, 1985
October 23, 1985
Croydon Underground
Croydon, England, United KingdomOctober 22, 1985
Rock City
Nottingham, England, United KingdomSeptember 29, 1985
The Powerhouse
Birmingham, England, United KingdomSeptember 28, 1985
The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton, England, United KingdomAugust 8, 1985
Electric Ballroom
London, England, United Kingdom1. Celebration
2. This Side of Heaven
3. Judgement
4. Sacrosanct
5. Caught on the Thorns
6. Reward
7. Last Degree
8. Witnesses
June 3, 1985
Shelley's Laserdome
Longton, England, United KingdomJune 2, 1985
Riverside
Southampton, England, United KingdomJune 1, 1985
Brighton Polytechnic
Brighton, England, United KingdomMay 30, 1985
Clarendon Hotel Ballroom
London, England, United KingdomMay 29, 1985
Mount Olympus Hotel
Stourport-on-Severn, England, United Kingdom1. Walk Away
2. This Side of Heaven
3. Last Degree
4. Break
5. Sin of Sins
6. Witness
7. Return to the East
8. Caught on the Thorns
9. Sacrosanct
10. The Tenant
May 27, 1985
Rock City
Nottingham, England, United KingdomSome of Play Dead's most popular tracks include The Tenant, Propaganda, Gaze, This Side of Heaven, Shine. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
Play Dead were a Post-Punk/Gothic Rock band from Oxford. It was formed in November 1980 with members Rob Hickson on vocals, Pete Waddleton on bass guitar, Mark "Wiff" Smith on drums and Re-Vox on gui... Read the full biography on this page.
You can find Play Dead vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.
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