The Alternative

Note: This band was always known locally as 'The Alternative'; however, all their recordings are credited to 'Alternative'.

Brought together out of anger, frustration and common beliefs, Alternative started in late 1979 in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. They wanted to play their part fighting against the system and its democracy, theocracy and monarchy. They originally rented a small shed to use as a rehearsal room. This became known as The Pad and also served as a small autonomy centre. It facilitated the formation of other local bands and served as as a meeting-place for punks and anarchists in Dunfermline. Fanzines such as 'Lipstick On Your Collar' and many articles and posters were produced at The Pad. Alternative played with other local bands such as The Actives, Mutual Fear, The Dissidents, Society’s Victim, UK Anarchists, Direct Action, Total Output and Why? Alternative played many gigs during the early-to-mid 1980s, at a time when the underground punk scene was huge in the UK and anarcho-punk was at its height, and even gigs in small, off-the-beaten-track villages drew large crowds. They were labelled 'The Scottish Crass' by some, although the Crass influence was not immediately obvious to begin with, and only became obvious with the release of the 'In Nomine Patri' single, recorded at Southern Studios with Crass-style production and packaging.

Alternative played with some of the most influential English punk bands, including Annie Anxiety, Crass, Flux of Pink Indians, The Mob, Reality Control, The System, Systematic Annex, Dirt, Andy T, Psycho Faction, and many others.

Alternative were never about the music or the money, they were about communicating with people openly and directly, Alternative used the sounds made by their instruments like they did with their fanzines, posters, handouts and artwork as a means of communicating with their audience, not as an ego trip; there were plenty of sell-out, image-over-substance bands doing that at the time. Unfortunately, not everybody who turned up at the gigs was there to be friendly. Many gigs were marred by thuggery and violence. Alternative would never rise to those whose sole purpose was to ruin events for everyone else. They believed Alternative to be unrealistic pacifists.

Their first taste of vinyl recording was to be on Bullshit Detector 1 with a track called 'The Blind Ones', AKA 'Change It'. Alternative later released a single on Crass Records entitled '“In Nomine Patri'. A cassette was later released called 'The Bunker' with three bands recorded live. These included Dirt, Alternative and Reality Control.

After the release of the single the band were to see some line up changes. Linda Linger (Linda Fotheringham) joined the band giving support to Rice on vocals. Another demo was released that was a live set called 'War, the Inheritance of Hate”. As time progressed other members left the band due to personal reasons and changed opinions. They eventually lost both front men on vocals Rice (Eric Beveridge) and Trinity (Craig Nichol). Rice later joined The Actives in 1984 on vocals. Rodney Relax (Rodney Comrie) who played guitar and did backing vocals was to become more vocal, filling the slot on vocals along with Linda. Drummer Jaa (James Murphy) left and joined Newcastle band Reality Control in early 1985. James Murphy, bassist Gogs (Gordon Smith) and guitarist Dougie McHale were replaced Chips (David Woods) on drums, D-Wharf (Billy) on guitar and Daz on bass, and a new singer, Judge Lawless, was recruited.

With a new line up and more new songs to add to the set and dropping some old favourites they ventured into the studios again in April 1984 to record the 'If They Treat You Like Shit, Act Like Manure' LP. This was to see more chants and catchy melodies with the vocals of Linda, Rodney and Judge Lawless sometimes harmonizing, sometimes solo, always effective and always full of strength. They also had vocal assistance from Annie Anxiety and Pete Wright from Crass. Loaded with simple melodic melodies such as “now I realize” to the faster paced “Another Subversive Peace Song” and thought provoking “Caroline’s Carnival”. Once quoted by Chris Wiltshire (Ruptured Ambitions) as the most hard hitting and thought provoking child abuse song ever written. A song to this day that still sends chills through my spine. This was a dedication to the unfortunate case of Caroline Hogg who was sexually assaulted in July 1983 in Portobello on the outskirts of Edinburgh whilst going to the playground and last seen at Fun city. The vocals laid down on “Death isn’t so sweet”, has caught the feeling of the fox being hunted. A tricky vocal for Linda to capture, Linda not happy with the sound of her vocals ran round the recording studio a couple of times to give the effective out of breath vocal laid down on the l.p. Rodney and Linda wrote the majority of the lyrics, they used statements and accounts that had affected them personally, emotionally and also affected friends.

Alternative then went on tour in August 1984. They released a demo on Wheatabrain tapes called “Eat The Rich” which was a compilation of Live and practice recordings. Again the band was to see more line up changes with C.R Abbot on Vocals, Crystal Silpot on bass and D Warf on guitar leave. Replacements were soon at hand in the shapes of Sean Haliday on bass, Lisa on Vocals and Iain Influx (Iain Ball) on guitar. Alternative did the “How Dare You” Demo after which saw Lisa hang up on vocal duties. Again Linda, Rodney and Sean on bass/backing vocals were the trio of vocalists.

Again with a new line Alternative were to play with the likes of Pract-Ex and State of Decay in Glasgow at Clydebank Hardgate Hall. A gig that I can still remember to this day for various reasons some of them good and other not so good. I can remember at the end of our set we always played a song called “Where are your Hiroshima’s”, we would invite individuals from the crowd to come up on stage and ask them to hold small banners whilst we played the end song of the set. This was when a smaller element of the crowd decided to shout abuse at us and start to throw beer cans and bottles at the band as we played. They were trying to pull the banners form the people holding them and spitting the usual mindless violence these individuals always seemed to get off on. Some member of the crowd got hit in the face with a bottle or glass that ended up in big arguments as who was to blame. Once everything calmed down we packed up our kit and left Clydebank under a hale of arguments and abuse.

There was talk of the possibility of releasing a 12inch single. The tracks were to be taken from the newly released “How Dare You” Demo. If memories serves me well the songs were to be “Who Cries For The Hungry”, “Exist”, “Now I Realize” and “Eat The Rich”. For reasons to this day, I still don’t know why, but the 12 Inch single was never released by the band.

A small tour was also in the pipeline with a band from Orange County called “State of Mind”. Initially a couple of dates but were soon to become bigger travelling up the East Coast. Again for reasons to this day the tour in America fell through. I’m not to sure but I can recall there was a problem with Passports or something that played a part in the decision not to go ahead with the gigs.

A good quality practice tape was produced and sent out to people who were friendly with the band called “If The Boot Fits Doesn’t Mean You Have To Wear It”. This contained the set list for the band at this time. Technically not a Demo but captured the bands live set with a mix of songs from the single, L.P and “How Dare You” Demo. There were also some new tracks “Whispers”, “Rock’N’Roll” and “Revolution” that made their first recording.

As the end of 1986 drew closer again the band were to go through a minor line up change with Iain Influx leaving the band to peruse other musical interests with Exalt and A.U.K. Alternative then recorded their final Demo Called “Touch The Earth”. This was recorded on an 8-track studio in the house and mixed in the living room of Pittencrief Street. There was a new musical sound and direction for the band with some new songs and reworking of some old tracks Like “Thatcher Fuck Off”. There was more use of echo chambers on the guitars but it did not take away the message of the band as it had always been from start to finish.

Alternative has since been included on a crass compilation C.D called “The A Sides” (Part 2) that includes “Anti-Christ” from the “In Nomine Patri” single.

Alternative finally called it a day after their final release of “Touch The Earth” Demo. Although many of the members of the band are still active musically nothing was to rekindle the spirit of the band. Rodney Relax reads Poetry and has worked along side bands called Hedonism and Swim-fan. Rice works as a Social worker, which gives him a sense of putting something back into the community. Sadly Chips who played drums on the L.P and for many years after passed away with ongoing health problems. A man with huge talent and fondness and always willing to help others will be sadly missed by all those who new him, worked with him and had the pleasure of his company throughout the years. I myself Iain Influx, currently work and stay in Hampshire but looking at settling back in Scotland in the next few years. James Murphy currently stays in Edinburgh and been seen out socialising with Rodney. Curly (Mark Heathcote) is still out their, as for the rest of the band members who played with Alternative over the years there fortunes remain a mystery.

“What is the Alternative”, we would have to answer that our “Alternative” is what we are. We must look inside ourselves, ask the question ourselves, and learn to understand and develop our own strengths. Out from the Chaos the struggle continues. Alternative June ‘83’

Discography:

Bullshit detector 1 track “Blind ones” (aka)“Change it”
7” Single Crass Records 4 tracks “In Nomine Patri”
L.P Corpus Christi Records 14 tracks “ If they treat you like shit – Act like manure”
Crass ‘A’ Sides (part 2) 1 track “Anti – Christ”
Anti – Society (Comp) 1 track “Where are your Hiroshima’s”

Demography:

1st Demo before single included early version of “Now I realize”
2nd Demo before single 7 tracks, 4 used for crass single.
3rd Demo before single 8 tracks “Freedom not fear”
4th Demo before L.P 8 tracks “Live at the Bunker”
5th Demo before L.P 12 tracks “War! The inheritance of hate”
6th Demo after L.P 16 tracks “ Eat the rich”
7th Demo 8 tracks “How Dare You”
8th Demo 14 tracks “Just because the boots fits”
9th Demo 7 tracks “Touch the Earth”

2) The Alternative are an Irish band that currently resides in Clonmel.

3) Drum and bass performer, recording mostly for Baron's label Baron INC.