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The Astronauts
Punk / Folk / Experimental

		Welwyn Garden City United Kingdom Profile Views: 18967 Last Login: 12/21/2009
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www.myspace.com/herestheastronauts

The Astronauts: General Info

Member Since	6/18/2008
Band Website	astronauts.org.uk/
Band Members	Stuart Baker ; Kay Beckett ; Phil Beckett ; Chris Bland ; Dave Bland ; Sean (Bleach Boys) ; Terry Cain ; Julian Cooper ; Alan Cowley ; Ian Cowley ; Angus Duprey ; Ronald Duprey ; Roy Falla ; Richard Ford (Rico) ; Arup Ghosh ; Jason Gray ; Bob Green ; Andy Keeble ; Nick Lacey ; Charlie Lynch ; Ivan McTaggart ; Adi Maddox ; Max ; Martin Meadows ; Dave Miller ; Tim Nixon ; Tony Peake ; Stuart Pearson ; Matt Russell ; Russell Seal ; Andrew Storke ; Phil Thornton ; John Turner ; Gordon Walker ; Paul Walker ; Grae J. Wall Lynn Walters ; Luke Welch ; Mark Wilkins ; David Woods ; matt Jordan-Yetts: >>>The following have played with or guested on Astronauts recordings<<< Nigel Jolly ; Martin Lawrie ; Pete Cox ; Malcolm Rogers ; Brian Auldwinkle ; Boyd Sims ; Nik Turner ; Lol Coxhill ; Veryan Weston ;
Influences	''Confusion may have been a more evocative name for our merry combo'' Mark Astronaut.
Sounds Like	DISCOGRAPHY*** The Astronauts ep 1979 (Bugle) * Restricted Hours ep 1979 (Stevenage RAR)** * The Night 1979 (Really Weird Comp)** * Pranksters In Revolt ep 1980 (Bugle)** * Peter Pan Hits The Suburbs LP 1981 (Bugle)** * Only Fools & Optimists cassette album 1982 (All The Madmen)** * Its All Done By Mirrors LP 1983 (All The Madmen)** * Soon LP 1986 (All The Madmen)** * Seedy Side Of The Astronauts LP 1987 (All The Madmen)** * In Defence Of Compassion LP 1989 (AcidStings)** * Constitution 7" 1991 (Acid Stings)** * Upfront And Sideways LP (Acid Stings) awaiting release** * Peter Pan/All Done By Mirrors CD 1994 (Lazy Dog)** * Upfront & Sideways cassette album 1995 (Dizzy Positivity)** * Anarchists Of Magick cassette album 1995 (Dizzy Positivity)** * Baby Sings Folksongs one-sided 7" 1995 (Farce)** * You're All Weird CD 2000 (Irregular)** * . . . . . . compilations; . . . . this excellent compilation includes three tracks by the Astronauts . the Otters feature an exclusive track on this cracking Kevin Coyne tribute album released by life and living[who you'll find in top friends]
Record Label	bugle,all the madmen,acid stings,irregular records
Type of Label	Indie

The Astronauts's Latest Blog Entry [Subscribe to this Blog]

View Mark Astronaut Documentary so far... (view more)

Calling all Astronauts fans, followers and friends! (view more)

’’OUT NOW’’ - Restricted Hours : live club’85 CD (view more)

The Astronauts : * Free * Albums / Live MP3 Downloads (view more)

late 70s DIY scene / fuck off records/Messthetics article (view more)

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About The Astronauts

Eternal long-haired losers. This semi-legendary band have only released 7 albums in its long existence but each of them is a bonafide classic.The ASTRONAUTS 2nd album ALL DONE BY MIRRORS judged by those who heard it as among the best albums of all time was a stunning collection of explosive pop songs and traditional folk ballads recorded at a time when all their gigs were with anarchist punk bands.Their 5th album IN DEFENCE OF COMPASSION experimented with ambient house music years before other conventional bands even thought of doing so.With so many excellent songs (many never recorded) it is probably the ASTRONAUTS enthusiasm for drugs and music over career and changing fashions which has stopped them becoming as well known as they should be.

Inspired by the UK punk explosion Mark Astronaut formed the band with a few friends in 1977 and began playing local gigs in their hometown of Welwyn Garden City.By 1979 The Astronauts were regularly appearing at free festivals and gigs in London organised by a hippy collective known as Fuck Off Records and from these began a close friendship with London punk bands Zounds and the Mob.

That year the first Astronauts ep was released on local label Bugle Records and musically it reflected the hippie drug culture combined with the energy of punk.'All Night Party' still sounds like the paranoid nightmare it did back then.The record established the Astronauts on the local gig scene among the non mainstram hippie/punk/biker crowd.

Also in 1979 an ep was released under the assumed name of RESTRICTED HOURS on the Stevenage Rock Against Racism label.'Getting Things Done' attacked the political apathy of smalltown life while 'Still Living Out The Carcrash' was musically a typically nightmarish theme.

By 1980 gigs throughout England with Zounds had won over an army of fans and the 'Pranksters In Revolt' ep sold all its copies within weeks.Musically the 4 songs were not as adventurous as the first ep although the lyrics were as incisive as ever.Like many great bands from the post-punk era the Astronauts were completely ignored by the UK music press which then as now was only interested in anything trendy,fashionable or middle class.Local fanzine Zero began to champion the band as did the local newspapers.

'Peter Pan Hits The Suburbs' was released in 1981 to widespread acclaim.Incredibly it received great reviews in virtually all the UK music press.The typical Astronauts audience at the time was largely hardcore punks attracted by the energetic gigs and a handful of hippies, so the album was something of a surprise.Full of heartfelt folk ballads and featuring legendary jazz saxophonist Lol Coxhill, the album was not what fans had expected but appealed to a different audience.

The contradiction of heavy chaotic punk performances and structured melodic alternative pop/folk/ambient songs continues to this day.

Throughout 1982-1985 there were hundreds of gigs with the many anarcho punk bands of the era and 'All Done By Mirrors' was arguably the finest album to date.'Soon' featured great songs but was let down by lifeless production,yet it still remains one of my favourite albums.

'Seedy Side Of ....' combined a scathing indictment of the 1980s attitudes of greed with some truly wonderful songs.By 1986 Mark was fed up with constant gigs and decided to slow down.

Astronauts songs were always socially aware and 'In Defence Of Compassion' had the usual great tunes,it was also very dark .

By contrast the 'Constitution/Please Don't Come Around Tonight' 7" was an upbeat pop punk gem.

In 1991-92 the Astronauts recorded their finest album for Acid Stings.For once it captured the heaviness of their live sound but due to instability within the band and lack of cash the album has yet to be released on cd/vinyl,it did get a cassette release on dizzy positivity recordings in '95

The band released their last album 'YOU'RE ALL WEIRD' on Robb Johnsons' irregular records in 2ooo, it's an awesome return to form,again featuring Lol Coxhill & Veryan Weston [zavvi still have copies for sale online??]** *

the Astronauts can still be found playing gigs in forgotten parts of London and Welwyn Garden City.at a recent london gig the band celebrated their 30 year ANNIVERSARY

Mark Astronaut is also writing and singing in The otters [www.myspace.com/theottersband]

Almost the whole back catalog of this seminal band is now out of print,so until a label with Vision re/releases them..... you can download them plus some excellent live recordings for free.... details & links in blog.

I've included scans of photo's/flyers/album/7''/ covers in the pic section *****if you've got any others to share please feel free to email me.***** All spiel was nicked from Acid Stings...cheers rob.

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The Astronauts's Friend Space (Top 40)

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The Astronauts's Friends Comments

Displaying 25 of 164 comments ( View All | Add Comment )

The Psychogeographical Commission	Dec 17 2009 1:46 PM Thanks ever so much for the re-add. The Psychogeographical Commission x
RAJAHTAA	Dec 12 2009 10:42 AM
Dan	Dec 4 2009 8:34 AM Fantastic stuff! Thanx 4 the add.
KEV / REFUSE	Dec 3 2009 1:38 PM
KAVA KAVA (free track in Tap Tap Revenge 3!)	Nov 28 2009 5:36 PM Hello! Hope you are well and rockin' New video for you - "Clarity" 0--< 0--< 0--< 0--< 0--< 0--<
zofos	Nov 13 2009 2:21 PM so,what about the documentary????
KEV / REFUSE	Nov 13 2009 2:18 PM
The Heads	Nov 9 2009 6:29 PM Thanks for the add. Hope you enjoy our psyche rock.
Tea and Biscuits presents	Nov 4 2009 3:37 PM
Anabollic Steroids	Oct 9 2009 9:05 AM ABILITY STINKS AND SO DO WE!! No matter how long its been the message is just as relevant today!! Spread the word - PUNK ROCK!!
Paul - The Blissetts	Oct 8 2009 9:51 PM
KEV / REFUSE	Sep 25 2009 3:33 PM
KEV / REFUSE	Sep 7 2009 7:13 PM
The Blissetts	Sep 5 2009 1:01 PM
SUDNOISSENZA	Aug 3 2009 8:40 PM Si ostinano a farti credere che nasci nudo...ma il tuo corpo non è il tuo vestito? they persist to let you belive that you born naked...but your body is a dress,isnt it? Sudnoissenza-The Deceptive Real Imaginary World this song is on our myspace...you can hear it and if you like, you can add it into your my space questo è il nostro nuovo pezzo ...lo potete ascoltare sullo space e addarlo nella vostra pagina se vi piace Attenzione i SUDNOISSENZA provocano DIPENDENZA SUDNOISSENZA - The deceptive real immaginary world - trailer video -STIAMO CERCANDO UN NUOVO CANTANTE CHI è INTERESSATO CI CONTATTI-
Marks Sonic Space	Aug 2 2009 3:40 PM Thanks for the add.
Bobby Wotnot	Aug 1 2009 5:51 PM Thanks for the add, it is very nice to find you here. I found uncle Vince a while back. Ta Bobby
JAH WAGGY	Jul 27 2009 3:04 PM BLESS UP!!!!!
Eirkti	Jul 25 2009 2:29 PM metro decay-κειμήλια/σκιές 7" Order brigade internationale-regard extreme lp Order
SKANKING DUB BEATS	Jul 21 2009 1:01 PM Hope you can make it to the One Foot Skank'in Paradise ?
KEV / REFUSE	Jul 8 2009 9:03 AM
SoundARC Promotions: Read blog before messaging us	Jul 6 2009 7:46 PM .... ....
farflung	May 29 2009 5:00 PM from our side of the cosmos to yours..... The Astronauts Sonic Greetings Cheers!!!!! Farflung
Sonic World	May 25 2009 4:54 PM Thankyou for adding Sonic World Festival, 4/5th September 2009. Tickets are available from www.sonicworldfestival.co.uk and www.myspace.com/harveybainbridgemusic as well as our own myspace site. £30 for the whole weekend, indoor toilets, free showers, free camping, bars, bar meals and restaurant, indoor venue. PLEASE READ OUR BLOG ON IMPOSTERS!
tribe4mian	May 25 2009 3:38 PM Thanks for the add! Sending you our wishes for continued success in all your journeys. All the best .. :) Most recent posts: - Beyond the METRO DECAY - REVIEW - New Model Army / MavroKokkino - Live in Athens - Compilation nr. 9 - The FLOWERS OF ROMANCE - Brilliant Mistakes

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