New album released in August 2007 - see blog for more details.
Virus hailed from the small town of Gillingham in North Dorset, forming in the summer of 1983 before they split up in July 1986. In that time they managed to record two demos (both in early 1984) but never quite managed to capture their harder, more edgier sound. Two live recordings from 1985 are the most accurate representation of the band. Conflict asked Virus to contribute a song to the Mortarhate compilation 'We Won't Be Your Fucking Poor' (1986) but the band were unable to record any new material due to a tight deadline. With this in mind, the band sent the 8-track master-tape to Mortarhate and requested 'No Bloody Use' be used as it was one of the few songs still in their set. For some reason unknown to the band, Mortarhate decided to include a 'joke' song, Oven Overture, instead. Virus played many gigs in the south of England with bands such as the Subhumans, Culture Shock, Conflict, Blyth Power, DIRT, Disorder, Varukers, Organised Chaos, Mad Are Sane, Liberty, Blare and Shrapnel. A CD of the two live gigs is now available.
Original members Jaz and Dave reformed VIRUS in August 2006. The three remaining original members Des, Bowzer and Rich were asked to rejoin but either declined or were unable to do so. However, new guitarist Rich, is Des's younger brother and new drummer Mark has tightened up the band considerably. The new line up played their first gig at the Red Lion, Gillingham in early Oct 2006 and are regularly gigging again. A new album (it's only 23 years since the last one!), 'Unacceptable Noise Levels' will be released in March/April 2007.
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Virus review from Yeovil based 'Feeding the Fish' fanzine:
Those of you who have seen or heard Gillingham's VIRUS will know that listening to them is a severely harrowing experience. No room for enjoyment, every song ruthlessly attacks the mind and the conscience not giving the heart an inch to breath. Time after time, the various injustices of today's society are thrust at anyone who will listen, the lyrics spat out with more venom than the entire contents of Bristol Zoo's snake pit put together. "But... I only... I..." stutters a shocked audience, but VIRUS are having none of it. No room to move, no room for doubt...
Back catalogue now available on CD - see blog for more details.
VIRUS discography
1984 Infected - 8 track demo (Subversive Haircuts) You Can't Ignore It Forever - 17 track cassette (Subversive Haircuts)
1985 Live at The Garage, Gillingham - 9 track cassette (Subversive Haircuts) Live at Henry's Cafe, Bournemouth - 9 track cassette (Subversive Haircuts) Darzet Comes Alive - 6 tracks on Dorset Anarcho punk compilation cassette (Blare)
1986 We Won't Be Your Fucking Poor - 'The Turkey Song' (Real title 'Oven Overture') - Compilation LP (Mortarhate) - 1986
2007 Unacceptable Noise Levels - 24 track album (Active Distribution) South West Punks - Volume 2 - 'Chainstore Massacre' and 'Extinction' - Compilation album (Pumpkin Records) Eight Ball Gigs - Volume 1 - 'Chainstore Massacre' and 'Rejection' - Compilation album (Eight Ball Gigs) New World Odour - Volume 1 - 'Fight For Rights' and 'Can You Hear The Cries' - Compilation album (New World Odour)
Can you help?
We know that a lot of our gigs were recorded by members of the crowd and we're trying to track down copies of the following:
Either of the two squat gigs in Bournemouth, summer 1984
Red Lion, Gillingham, Feb 1985
King's Arms, Warminster, May 1985
Hazelbury Plucknett, June 1985
Ziggy's, Plymouth, Aug 1985
Salisbury Art's Centre, Nov 1985
Cosham Community Centre, March 1986
Greyhound, Bridport, March and May 1986
The Crypt, Deptford, London, April 1986
The Crown, Trowbridge, May 1986
Cornwall Hotel, Dorchester, May 1986
These are just a few that we know were recorded and there may be others. If you can help. please send us an email. THANKS
+ The Bzz ( Garage tribal /Paris ) www.myspace.com/thebzzpage ZAC AFTER SHOW /BARKING GARAGE Dj Herr Broken !!! a partir de 22h ! -Rue Victor Letalle / Ménilmuch .
How are you, VIRUS? Haven't checked in on you lately, so I swung by to wish you a happy September & hope you are feeling well! Listen, I have another track up on my page, "Attack Of The Mushroom People." You can hear it right now, if you'd like at: www.myspace.com/psychedelicpablo adios for now! Pablo
hey u alrite? about th gig in nov...am hopefully goin to maritius sumtime in th first 3 weeks of nov, just waitin fo find out from work if i can hav it off n also whether a few mates r coming or not..so dont hav a definate anwser for ya im afraid bu most likely wont b able to. sorry bout tha, hope its a good night for u all x
