Cold War

     Cold War were another somewhat melodic band who started in Hornchurch, Essex, sometime during 1980. Their line-up was Chris Knowles on bass, Kev Bulmer on drums, Paul Harding on guitar and Ian Smith on vocals. All three of the musicians played left handed instruments which was pretty unusual. Their members Chris and Kev also ran their own tape label called Rasquap Products that released material by bands such as What is Oil? and Boiled Eggs.

     Their debut gig may have been with the Apostles at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. They soon became associated with the Wapping Anarchy Centre, who was helped setup by The Apostles, where Cold War managed to play several times during their existence. During his time in Cold War, Chris the bassist was invited to join Hagar The Womb as their new drummer during the end of 1980. Their guitarist Paul also joined Hagar The Womb as their second guitarist, just in time to feature both Chris and Paul in their "Word of the Womb" record in 1984. Several recording sessions where done by Cold War, but it was their earlier stuff that they chose to release on record.

     During 1981, the band released their "Live at the Autonomy Centre" tape on their own label where they played on October thirteenth during that same year. 1982 saw the release of a self titled demo that wasn't released on any label. Another demo was released during that year, this time on their label, titled "Irrational". Several more were done, but saved for the future.

     In 1983, Namedrop Records released their one and only record "The Machinist". However, Cold War had already split by 1982. In 1984, two unreleased tracks appeared in the compilation "Another Thing from the Crypt" on Hedgehog Records. Chris and Paul continued with Hagar the Womb, until that band split and the two formed other bands such as We Are Going To Eat You, Paralysis(an improvisation band with Ian, Gary Gherkin, J.F.B. from Screaming Babies and A.E.D.) and also Melt, while Ian also took up sax and joined his brother's band Seventh Seance who used to be Orange Cardigan. Chris eventually became D.J. Chris Liberator, Ian vanished from the Earth, Kev emigrated to Australia, and who knows what happened to Paul.

Bassist Chris on the left, and Paul on the right playing guitar for Hagar The Womb.

"The Machinist"

The heavy sounds

of the steel pumping action.

The sheer weight of noise.

the sound of led

pumping, pushing, sweating.

This machine.

This machine must go

on.

The machinist operates the machines,

cause he can('t?) see

the machine may operate him!

Compelled by force.

Stopped(?) by suggestion.

No turning back now.

No turning back now.

This machine.

This machine

must go

on.

The machinist operates the machines,

cause he can('t?) see

the machine may operate him!

     

We're coming closer

to the computer age.

Human programming

Is their way!

Soon to come Downloads:

Live at the Autonomy Centre 18-10-81 Rasquap Products

Irrational Demo 1982 Rasquap Products 1982

Self Title Demo 13/3/82

The Machinist 1983 Namedrop Records

Another Thing From The Crypt Compilation Tracks 1984 Hedgehog Records

Unknown Demo 198X