RLD were formed in 1984, see our pics for line-up details.
We released a self-financed 7" single 'Wherever You May Run/ Suzie's Bombed Out Tonite' in 1985 and with substantial Radio 1 airplay on John Peel and Janice Long we secured a distro deal, John Peel Session and subsequently a two single record deal with Quiet Records.
Our two Quiet Records singles were released in 1986 and 1987, both again receiving airplay from John and Janice although us and Quiet decided not to pursue our collaboration!
1987 also saw our first gig abroad, the Oodenburg Festival in Belgium.
We loved playing in Europe and in the forthcoming years would play all over the shop including 8 tours of the Czech Republic! And, of course, the UK.
Obviously we had good and bad times to report....
In 1988 we released our first material for Released Emotions Records (named after our EP from 1986). A split album with The Sect from Birmingham.
1989 saw the 'Last Night' single released followed by the 'More Songs about Love & War' album in 1991, all for RER.
'More Songs' is looked upon as a bit of a classic of it's time (yes we say so ourselves!) and had a stunning cd re-release on Overgound Records in 2004.
Sorry, back to the urban myth and legend that is The Day....
In 1992 we released 'Stop the World/ Limo Life' for Germany's 333 label, played anywhere that would have us and in 1994 toured Czech for the third time and stayed there to record the 'Nothing at this Moment in Time' album for ANK Records.
We've always prided ourselves for being able to write a classic song for every period of our band and in 1996 released a 7" featuring 'Rain' destined to be one of our most famous songs, and 'Insomnia'
We signed to Holier Than Thou for the 'Lethal' album who introduced us to Outhouse Studios in Reading where we would continue to record for many years as they really captured The Day sound.
The topical 'Happy New Year' EP was released on Mouthy Records in 1999 (of course!) and we were proud to have Zip Records, America release a 'best of' collection in 2000.
No new material releases 'til 2003 when the 'Nettle' EP continued our killer single tradition!
Our last release was the 'Everthing Matters' album back in 2005. Debate will rage on as to whether this was our best album.
We like to think everyone has a different favourite for their own reasons :)
This oh so brief account is where we've got up to now in 2008, it does not begin to tell the story of the last 23 years and tears....
Although we never achieved our aim to 'do the band full time', the band did become a way of life for some of us. Yes! more a way of life than a mere Punk Rock Band From Pompey :)
So in June 2007, Red Letter Day were no more. But never say never and in August 2007 the 'Everything Matters' Nov 2001-July 2005 line-up got back together allegedly for all the right reasons.
This proved to be an ill conceived idea over a few lagers and curry and after an admittedly blinding performance at the Gosport Punk Festival and a couple of radio sessions it became impossible to get the four members of The Day together in the same place at the same time….
Another doomed attempt to Raise The Day occured in the fall of 2008, with a new song recorded for myspace on 16th. November.
But with the guitar player leaving just eight days later without even playing a gig, The Day again find themselves in familiar territory....
Promote your music on www.topoftheox.co.uk this week. A great chance to get noticed, promote your gigs and win the upgraded weekly prize by topping the chart.
A brand new tune from Night of Treason not due for release until 15th August , however due to the sad passing of Harry Patch the last WW1 soldier we have decided to put it up with a special slide show to honour him and all those who fought so we could enjoy our freedom...
The InfamousBands.com $30,000 Online Battle of the Bands Make sure you're registered to compete at http://www.InfamousBands.com. Good luck to all who enter, can't wait to hear your music!