Foreign Legion (band) explained

Foreign Legion
Origin:Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Genre:Punk, street punk, oi!
Years Active:1984–1991, 2000–present
Label:Aggrobeat, Rebel Sound, KB, Sliver, Rusty Knife, Marchiato A Fuoco, Oi! Shop, Trooper, Durty Mick, Dirty Faces, Upstart, DSS, Venture, Schlawiner, Rent a Racket
Associated Acts:Impact,[1] 8.4%,[2] Demob, Doc Savage, Blind Justice,[3] Dead on Arrival, Society
Current Members:Simon Bendon – guitar/Lead vocals
Dean Summers– bass/vocals
Greg Boulton – drums
Past Members:(Vocals)
Mark (Marcus) Howells (RIP)
(Guitar)
David (Truskie) Thomas,
Lynne Murphy,
Julie Bailey,
Andrew (Eggy) Heggie,
Steven Thomas,
Michael Elford,
Peter Giles,
Mark (Jolly) Williams,
Mark Blaxland,
Frank Busani,
Miguel Emultschoenn.
(Bass)
Alan Powell,
Helen James,
Mark (Jolly) Williams,
Andrew (Eggy) Heggie,
Martyn Richards,
Jarrad (Nöir) Owens,
Ian Poulsom,
Dog / Canis Humanus,
Steve Zuki,
John Hunt.
Dave Linehan(Drums)
Nigel Cleaver (deceased),
Michael Wilding,
Patrick McDermott,
Paul (Marshon) Marsh,
Mark (Froggy) Price,
Pandy,
Ben (Stan) Stansfield,
Paul Black,
Glyn (Sid Lovely) Bendon.
(Keyboards)
Paul (Marshon) Marsh.

Foreign Legion is a punk band from South Wales.[4]

History

1984–1991

Foreign Legion formed in 1984 from the remnants of a band called Society, later Dead On Arrival. Dead on Arrival had one song on 1984's Bullsheep Detector album.[5] Following the name change to Foreign Legion (due partly to people shortening it to DOA, which could cause confusion with the Canadian band of that name[6]) and a number of line-up changes (drummers in particular) the band released their first EP in 1986, on their own Rent a Racket label[7] [8] with the line-up of M.H. on vocals, Lynne Murphy on guitar, Helen James on bass and Paul (Marshon) Marsh on drums. Later line-up changes included Paul Marsh introducing keyboards to the band for a short while, Andrew Heggie taking over on guitar and Steven Thomas on bass.
Despite many live shows in London, Wales and France, three years passed before Surf City their second EP was released, with their first full-length album entitled Welcome to Fort Zinderneuf also released that same year, 1989. By this time a new line-up had evolved with Mark (Jolly) Williams on bass (from local band Blind Justice,[9] [10] who Andrew Heggie soon joined), together with Peter Giles on guitar and Ben Stansfield on drums, retaining only M.H. on vocals.
During the 1980s the band played regular slots in the famous 100 Club and supported the likes of UK Subs, The Vibrators, The Partisans, Picture Frame Seduction, The Adicts, Major Accident, Toy Dolls, Angelic Upstarts, 999, Broken Bones and others[11] including Bérurier Noir for one of their first concerts overseas in France, following gig exchanges with Burning Ambitions from Le Havre. They also supported The Alarm,[12] Joe Strummer & the Latino Rockabilly War[13] and the UK Subs when they visited the band's home town of Merthyr Tydfil.
The band split up in 1991.

2000–2023

Foreign Legion re-formed in 2000, with members from before the 1991 split; M.H. on vocals, Mark (Jolly) Williams on guitar, Andrew Heggie on bass and Ben Stansfield on drums. They released a split album with Major Accident called Cry of the Legion, before their next full-length album What Goes Around, Comes Around, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash.[14] [15] During the early 2000s the band released EPs and played in mainland Europe and USA with the Dropkick Murphys, Major Accident, The Templars, NY Relics and the UK Subs,The Misfits, Agnostic Front, Bad Manners, Stiff Little Fingers, The Buzzcocks including a show at New York's CBGBs. In 2007 the album Death Valley was recorded, featuring more new material as well as a re-worked version of Message From Nowhere from the first EP.[16] [17] By 2008 Jarrad (Nöir) Owens and Paul Black had joined the band. This lineup re-recorded six songs written by Mark (Jolly) Williams at SKWAD HQ South Wales – the session captured the band's newly invigorated live sound; with double kick drums and distorted fuzz bass the thrash and metal influences of the new rhythm section were clearly evident. These recordings eventually became the band's contribution to Reality Bites a split 12 track CD album with US band Sledgeback[18] [19] and also appeared bootlegged, with an incorrect lineup credited.

Following an appearance at the Legendary TJs in Newport in 2008, supporting the Anti-Nowhere League, guitarist Williams posted a statement on the band's Myspace account announcing his departure; Black and Owens soon followed.Members of local Caerphilly punk covers band Doc Savage joined M.H. in Foreign Legion for a short while before a new line-up emerged with the drummer from 1980s Cwmbran punk band Impact (who also featured on the 1984 Bullsheep Detector album) Glyn (Sid Lovely) Bendon, together with Simon Bendon on guitar and Canis Humanus on bass.

A split EP with German band Riot Company was released in 2011, with a further split EP released in 2012 with Italian band Cervelli Stanki. The band were now back on the road with gigs including the Rebellion festival alongside bands including PiL, Rancid, Buzzcocks and Social Distortion.[20] [21]

Demob bassist Steve Zuki joined the band in 2013, with live performances including two German festivals: Punk and Disorderly[22] and Back On The Streets,[23] a tour of northern Italy and performances in the UK, including headlining the first day at Gosport Punk Festival[24] (with the UK Subs headlining the other day) and support slots alongside Sham 69, 999, Stiff Little Fingers and The Men They Couldn't Hang plus a return to the Rebellion festival alongside bands including Sham 69, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, GBH, Discharge, Peter Hook and The Light, TV Smith and many more.

Light at the End of the Tunnel was recorded in 2013 and released on Germany's KB Records in August 2013.[25] Featuring one song sung by bassist Zuki, the album features a number of songs referencing the band's Welsh working-class background, including Market Trader, Regeneration (Council List), and Miners (The Fathers' Sacrifice). The cover image by fellow Merthyr resident Gus Payne[26] depicts a Welsh miner kneeling with his hand on the hilt of a sword planted into the ground,[27] possibly referencing the sword in the stone myth and, along with the album title and the closing track Phoenix From The Flame, provides a positive theme with hope for the future. Vocalist M.H. confirms this intent to project hope for the future; "Light At The End Of The Tunnel is meant to give hope and strength to all the working class people all over the word, that the shining sword...".[28]

Singer Mark Howells died in June 2023.[29]

2024–present

With the blessing of Mark (Marcus) Howells' daughter and brother,[30] Foreign Legion continued in 2024, with guitarist Simon Bendon taking over on lead vocals.

2024 performances with this new line up began with support slots for The Professionals[31] and Cockney Rejects[32] together with a performance at Punk on the Peninsula festival in Scotland.[33]

Discography

[34]

Albums

Year of releaseTitleProducerForeign Legion tracks
PersonnelSplit artistLabelFormatVinyl colourCat. No.
2021The Early Years
(Compilation LP)[35]
(Distress Signals)
Spy
TV Escape
Smile For The Camera
European Sunshine
Brand New Cadillac
(Trenchline EP)
Trenchline
Message From Nowhere
National Affairs
Lots Of Fun
(Surf City EP)
Surf City
What A Place To Be
Why Take My Life Away
Those Were The Days
(Distress Signals)
MH (vocals)
Truskie (guitar)
Powell (bass)
Mike (drums)
(Trenchline EP)
MH (vocals)
Lynne (guitar)
Hel (bass)
Marshon (drums)
(Surf City EP)
MH (vocals)
Peter (guitar)
Jolly (bass)
Stan (drums)
Pandy (drums)
Puke N Vomit RecordsVinylSky blue and dark blue splatter
/ Yellow
/ Pink
/ Black
PNV 102
2018Back Tö Basics[36] Back Tö Basics
Murderer
Hömeless
Uncle Tom
She's A Punk
Bullshit
Heröes Welcöme
Strange Töwn
Drink
Start A War
MH (vocals)
Simon (guitar)
Steve Zuki (bass/vocals)
Sid (drums)
Violated RecordsCDPUNK CD023
2020 (Rerelese)Clockwork PunkCassetteCWP 018
2020 (Rerelese)Street JusticeVinylOrangeSJ013-1
2016Always Working ClassWe Are Legion~
Dogoodgers
Nowhere Left To Hide~
Drugs For Mugs~
Bare Faced Lies
Justice~
Criminally Insane~
Nev's Birthday Bash
Fat Cats~
Know Where You Are~
This Is Our Music~#
Still No Punks In My Town
MH (vocals)
Simon (guitar)
John (bass/vocals)
Dave (bass/vocals on ~) (guitar on #)
Sid (drums)
AggrobeatCDABCD032
2020 (Rerelese)Laketown RecordsVinylYellow
/ Black
LTR-013
2020 (Rerelese)Traditional Style Records / Inatoxx Oi! RecordsCassetteTSR-003 / ITX 10
2013Light at the End of the Tunnel[37] Lyndon PriceJenny
What A Place To Be
Regeneration (Council List)
My Radio
Hey Girl
George Best
Stalker
Market Trader
Three Years (The Untold Story)
Miners (The Fathers' Sacrifice)
Drunken Heroes
Phoenix From The Flame
MH (vocals)
Simon (guitar)
Steve Zuki (bass/vocals)
Sid (drums)
KB RecordsCD3221
2014 (Rerelese)Aggrobeat
/ Rebel Sound
VinylGreen-mint
/ Green with red splatter
ABLP015
2010Reality Bites
(Split LP)
  • (2) Sunset On Babylon
    (3) Wake Up
    (6) Obvious
    (7) Johnny
    (10) Fake Gangsta
    (11) Wasted
MH (vocals)
Jolly (guitar)
Jarrad Noir (bass)
Paul Black (drums/backing vocals)
SledgebackSliver RecordsCD367524
2021 (Rerelese)Clockwork PunkCassetteCWP 023
2007Death Valley[38] [39] Lots Of Fun
Alright
Strange Town
Rat Race
Message From Nowhere
She Loves Me Not
Take A Look
Party In Prague
Where Do We Go
Sunset On Babylon
Death Valley
Lots Of Fun (Reprise)
MH (vocals)
Jolly (guitar)
Frank (guitar)
Martyn (bass)
Stan (drums)
Durty Mick RecordsCDDMR0004-3
2002What Goes Around Comes AroundMick JonesWake Up
Valleys Mentality
Don't Ask Me Why
Wish You Were Here
My Town
Another Day
FL
Powergames
Smiling Assassin
Obvious
Wheres Johnny Gone
MH (vocals)
Frank (guitar)
Eggy (bass)
Stan (drums)Jolly guitar on 'Obvious', 'Another Day' and 'Valleys Mentality'
DSS RecordsCD / CassetteDSS043
2003 (Rerelese)Jimmy Jazz RecordsCassetteJAZZ 053
2019 (Rerelese)Street JusticeVinylYellowSJ012-1
2001Cry of the Legion
(Split LP)
Clockwork Pop And Orange
Jump
Open Your Eyes
Fake Gangster
Hate Machine
Just A Faze
MH (vocals)
Jolly (guitar)
Eggy (bass)
Stan (drums)
Major AccidentDSS RecordsCD / VinylBlackDSS024
2021 (Rerelese)Street JusticeCD / VinylRed & black marbledSJ016-1 (Vinyl + CD)
/ SJ016-2 (CD)
1990Welcome to Fort ZinderneufIan Wallace and Foreign LegionSurf City
Keep Pushing Back
What A Place To Be
Message From Nowhere
Get Off My Back
Gentleman
Talk Dirty
Stop Messing Around
Why Take My Life Away
What Am I Gonna Do
Beau Geste
Those Were The Days
MH (vocals)
Peter (guitar)
Jolly (bass)
Stan (drums)
Venture RecordsVinylBlackVR/FL 100
2021 (Rerelese)Puke N Vomit RecordsVinylPink
/ Purple
/ Red
/ Black
PNV 105

7-inch vinyl

Year of releaseTitleForeign Legion track(s)PersonnelSplit artist(s)LabelVinyl colour(s)Cat. No.
2017Last Rough Cause / Föreign Legiön
(Split)
Nev's Birthday Bash
Drugs For Mugs
MH (vocals)
Simon (guitar)
Dave Linehan (bass)
Sid (drums)
Last Rough CauseAggrobeatBlack
/ Orange
ABEP034
2015OiThe International Street-Punk League
(Split)
Nowhere Left To Hide
Our World Today
The ShameAggrobeatBlueABEP022
Rebel SoundRedREB1038
2012Clockwork Kids Still Alive!
(Split)
Market Traders
Drunken Heroes
MH (vocals)
Simon (guitar)
Dog (bass)
Sid (drums)
Cervelli StankiRusty Knife Records
Marchiato A Fuoco
Oi! Shop
Black
2011Salute To The Boys
(Split)
Phoenix From The Flames
Another Bullshit Night
Riot CompanyKB RecordsPicture disc
/ Black
KBR 061
2007Foreign Legion / Suburban Lockdown
(Split) (Live)
Where's Johnny Gone
Another Day
MH (vocals)
Jolly (guitar)
Frank (guitar)
Martyn (bass)
Stan (drums)
Suburban LockdownDurty Mick RecordsBlackDMR0002-7
2007Send In the Legion
(Split)
(2 different covers)
Powergames
Wake Up
Paris ViolenceTrooper RecordsYellowKBR 022
2000Punk Rock JukeboxWhere's Johnny Gone
Rain
Alright (Stick Together)
MH (vocals)
Jolly (guitar)
Eggy (bass)
Stan (drums)
DSS RecordsBlackDSS 010
2000The Years Gone By EPWake Up
Don't Ask Me Why
What Are You Doing Now
Jump
Upstart ProductionsGreen
/ Black
UP7004
2000The We Don't Care About Rock 'n' Roll
(Split)
There Ain't No Punks
17 Years Of Hell* (*Partisans cover version)
DistrictDirty FacesMarbledDF 89/01
19901984 Street Trash
(Split)
(Packaged with "1984 The Fourth" 12 inch album)
Get Off My BackMH (vocals)
Peter (guitar)
Jolly (bass)
Stan (drums)
Active Minds
Disgorge
Slaver
New Wave RecordsBlackNW-033
1989Surf City EPSurf City
What A Place To Be
Why Take My Life Away
Those Were The Days
MH (vocals)
Peter (guitar)
Jolly (bass)
Stan (drums)
Pandy (drums)
Schlawiner RecordsGreen
/ Black
S 05
1986Trenchline EPTrenchline
Message From Nowhere
National Affairs
Lots Of Fun
MH (vocals)
Lynne (guitar)
Hel (bass/vocals)
Marshon (drums)
Rent a RacketBlackRRR0001
2019 (Rerelease)Different Class RecordsBlack
/ Red
/ Yellow
DC-05-19

Compilations

Year of releaseTitleForeign Legion track(s)PersonnelOther bands includedLabelFormatCat. No.
1996Oi! The Rarities, Volume 2 [40] Message From Nowhere
Trenchline
MH (vocals)
Lyn (guitar)
Helen (bass/vocals)
Marshon (drums)
Crash
Anti-Social
The Squats
Special Duties
Condemned 84
Resistance 77
Frankie Flame
Captain Oi! RecordsVinylAHOY LP 46
1989Pop Oi![41] Surf CityMH (vocals)
Peter (guitar)
Jolly (bass)
Stan (drums)
Pandy (drums)
Slaughter & the Dogs
The Crack
The Hoopers
Criminal Class
Five O
American Eagle
The Kicker Boys
Frankie Flame
Moonstomp
Guttersnipe Army
The Strike
Madhatters
The Resort
The Business
Link RecordsVinylLINK LP 095
As Dead On Arrival
Year of releaseTitleDead On Arrival trackPersonnelOther bands includedLabelFormatCat. No.
1984On The StreetChild Molester
/ Zyklon B
MH (vocals)
Truskie (guitar)
Powell (bass)
Cleaver (drums)
Primitive
Vicious Hamsters
Acid Attack
Oi Polloi
Devoid
The Abductors
Catch 22
Criminal Justice
Fungus
4 Minute Warning
The Clergy
Obscene Females
Rough Justice
Sane RecordsVinylSANE 003
Bullsheep Detector Child MolesterIcons of Filth
Impact
Death Patrol
No Choice
Sharpnel
Yr Anhrefn
Soldier Dolls
Armistice
Classified Protest
Reality Attack
Secluded
Abnormal
Condemned
No Label
Skull Attack
Living Legends
Pseudo Sadists
Picture Frame Seduction
Anti-Society RecordsVinylANTI 020

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.myspace.com/impact8039swelshpunklegends
  2. Web site: 8.4% | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos . Myspace.com . 11 September 2013 . 29 July 2014.
  3. Web site: Blind Justice | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos . Myspace.com . 29 July 2014.
  4. Web site: Punk & Oi In The Uk . Punkoiuk.co.uk . 23 August 2000 . 29 July 2014.
  5. Web site: V/A BULLSHEEP DETECTOR – WELSH PUNK COMPILATION 80-84 LP – lavidaesunmus. https://archive.today/20130216093357/http://lavidaesunmus.com/prestashop/product.php?id_product=1499. dead. Archive.today. 16 February 2013.
  6. Web site: Punk Rock '77 thru Today: Foreign Legion ***New Interview*** . Punkrock77thrutoday.blogspot.co.uk . 5 June 2011 . 29 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131214074635/http://punkrock77thrutoday.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/foreign-legion-new-interview.html . 14 December 2013 . dead .
  7. Web site: SXSW | Culture . The Guardian . 13 March 2009 . 29 July 2014.
  8. Web site: Foreign Legion – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at . Last.fm . 29 July 2014.
  9. Web site: South Wales: B. Link2wales.co.uk. 15 May 2008. 10 June 2020.
  10. Web site: Blind Justice (3). Discogs.com. 10 June 2020.
  11. http://www.uberrock.co.uk/interviews/54-march-interviews/4413-marcus-howells-foreign-legion-interview-exclusive.html
  12. Web site: Gig: 11/17/1987, The Alarm, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre | The Alarm . Thealarm.com . 17 November 1987 . 29 July 2014 . 8 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141208190853/http://www.thealarm.com/archives/3565 . dead .
  13. Web site: Ruck Riot'N Roll | Ian Bone . Ianbone.wordpress.com . 4 March 2013. 29 July 2014.
  14. Web site: Robb . John . Album Review: Foreign Legion – S/T / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound . Drownedinsound.com . 1 January 2003 . 29 July 2014 . 22 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120822084510/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3177/reviews/5725-foreign-legion-s-t . dead .
  15. Web site: SoundClick artist: Foreign Legion – Punk Rock Wales . Soundclick.com . 29 July 2014.
  16. Web site: Foreign Legion Bio | Foreign Legion Career . https://web.archive.org/web/20130929231847/http://www.mtv.com/artists/foreign-legion-00/biography/ . dead . 29 September 2013 . MTV . 29 July 2014.
  17. Web site: Foreign Legion . Welsh Icons . 29 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927010031/http://www.welshicons.org.uk/html/foreign_legion.php . 27 September 2013 . dead .
  18. Web site: Vive Le Rock! . Vive Le Rock! . 29 July 2014.
  19. Web site: Sledgeback & Foreign Legion | CD Baby Music Store . Cdbaby.com . 29 July 2014.
  20. Web site: Rebellion UK 2012 line-up and rumours . eFestivals.co.uk . 6 July 2012 . 29 July 2014.
  21. Web site: Rebellion Festival 2012 Line Up . Virtualfestivals.com . 29 July 2014 . 1 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201194628/http://www.virtualfestivals.com/rebellion-festival-2012/lineup . dead .
  22. Web site: Punk & Disorderly – The Festival . Punk-disorderly.de . 29 July 2014.
  23. Web site: Back On The Streets Festival . B-o-t-s.com . 29 July 2014.
  24. Web site: Gosport Punk Fest. – FFRUKiT! . Ffruk.com . 25 January 2013 . 29 July 2014.
  25. Web site: plentyMarkets on-demand eCommerce Solution . Kb-records-shop.de . 29 July 2014.
  26. Web site: Foreign Legion (3) – Light At The End Of The Tunnel (CD, Album) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 29 July 2014.
  27. Web site: Foreign Legion – 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel' (KB Records) . Uberrock.co.uk . 31 August 2013 . 29 July 2014.
  28. Web site: FOREIGN LEGION (Wales – Oi!) | oioimusic.com . Oioimusicblog.wordpress.com . 3 November 2013 . 29 July 2014.
  29. Web site: Marcus Howells (FOREIGN LEGION) – R.I.P. . Rebellion Punk Music Festival on Facebook . 23 June 2023 . 21 June 2023.
  30. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=767180275400590&set=pb.100063258727760.-2207520000
  31. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-professionals-foreign-legion-live-at-clwb-ifor-bach-tickets-838894344567
  32. https://www.facebook.com/events/the-fleece-bristol/cockney-rejects-knock-off-foreign-legion-live-at-the-fleece-bristol/1748992535271959/?locale=en_GB
  33. https://www.punkonthepeninsula.rocks/lineup
  34. Web site: Foreign Legion (3) Discography at Discogs . Discogs.com . 29 July 2014.
  35. Web site: Foreign Legion – the Early Years (2021, Vinyl). Discogs.
  36. Web site: Föreign Legiön* - Back Tö Basics. Discogs.
  37. Web site: Foreign Legion – Light At The End Of The Tunnel (ABLP015) | AGGROBEAT.com . Aggrobeatblog.wordpress.com . 29 December 2014. 29 July 2014.
  38. Web site: Foreign Legion Death Valley CD. https://web.archive.org/web/20110726050702/http://store.durtymickrecords.com/Foreign_Legion_Death_Valley_CD_p/dmr04.htm. dead. 26 July 2011. 26 July 2011. 10 June 2020.
  39. Web site: Foreign Legion – Death Valley – Dmir04 – F – Cd – by Durty Mick Records – Born in 1982 Died in 1990 . Punkrockcds.com . 29 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729181724/http://www.punkrockcds.com/foreign-legion-death-valley-p-10390.html . 29 July 2014 . dead .
  40. Web site: Oi!: The Rarities, Vol. 2 CD Album . Cduniverse.com . 1 November 2005 . 29 July 2014.
  41. Web site: OI! the Discography Page: Link Records Discography . Oithediscography.blogspot.co.uk . 26 August 2008 . 29 July 2014.
  42. Book: Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk, 1980–1984 – Ian Glasper – Google Books . 29 July 2014-->. 978-1-901447-24-8 . Glasper . Ian . 2004 .