The Moors Murderers
Origin	London, England
Genres	Punk rock
Years active	1977 - 1978
Associated acts	Johnny Moped, The Photons, Visage, The Pretenders, The Clash, The Psychedelic Furs, Adam and the Ants, Strange Cruise
Former members
Steve Strange Soo Catwoman Chrissie Hynde The Kid John Vince Ely Tex Topper Headon

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The Moors Murderers were a short-lived punk band who caused controversy by naming themselves after The Moors Murders. The band was founded in 1977 by Steve Strange (lead vocals), later to be in Visage, and comprised Chrissie Hynde (guitar), later in The Pretenders, Tex (bass), Topper Headon (drums), who was then borrowed from The Clash^[1], Vince Ely (drums), later in The Psychedelic Furs, and The Kid, whose real name was Mark Ryan and was a member of Adam and the Ants.

Contents 1 History 2 Line-up 2.1 Around early 1977 2.2 Around Mid-to-late 1977 (The Holland Park School gig) 2.3 1978: probably last line-up 3 Discography 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

It was one of the punk bands Steve Strange formed after coming to London and whilst living the punk scene.

There are many doubts about their era. The main involved was Strange, who had the idea of form a band with the name Moors Murderers. They never played music, only they did a session photos. ^[2] However, Strange claimed, in 1981, he, after left Wales and went to London, a person got him involved in the band; he, in 1978, claimed he regretted about it.^[3]

After the photo sessions, Strange decided to form a real band and calling members. Their first gig was supporting The Slits at Holland Park Comprehensive School.^[4] The line-up comprised Strange on vocals, The Kid (ex-Adam and the Ants) on guitar, John on bass and drummer Vince Ely (ex-The Unwanted).^[5] Chrissie Hynde (from Johnny Moped) was also present at gig and involved with the band^[6], writing songs with Strange. About the first concert, The Kid, claimed later, the band debuted live as The Photons, but Dave Goodman, wrote the band performed as The Moors Murderers, causing him a controversy^[7]. After that, it seemed The Kid quit and joined a more permanent version of The Photons, being replaced by Chrissie Hynde. By then, Strange wanted to record something to sell, and it was the "Free Hindley", as single, backed with, as a suggestion of Dave Goodman, "Ten Commandments".

During their brief existence, the band composed songs, which were played live and during the rehearsals, being one of them filmed by an Italian TV crew, in 1978.^[8] After this, Strange lost interest and the band split up.

Apparently, sometime in late 1977 or 1978, The Kid left the band, being replaced by Tex Axile (ex-Peroxide Romance), called simply during those days as Tex. Another who seemed to leave during those days was Vince Ely, who later went to form The Psychedelic Furs, being replaced by Topper Headon, borrowed from The Clash.^[9]

[edit] Line-up

[edit] Around early 1977

• Steve Strange
• Soo Catwoman

[edit] Around Mid-to-late 1977 (The Holland Park School gig)

• Steve Strange: vocals
• The Kid: guitar
• John: bass
• Vince Ely: drums

[edit] 1978: probably last line-up

• Steve Strange: vocals
• Chrissy Hynde: guitar
• Tex: bass
• Topper Headon: drums

[edit] Discography

• Free Hindley (bootleg single)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• PUNK77: The Moors Murderers
• [6]