Counterdance
These Counterdance pages are dedicated to Peter Humphries who sadly left us all on
the 22nd November 1998 - crucially missed and often remembered..
Counterdance was formed in the Summer
of 1978 in a bedroom in Bradford 5.
Starting briefly with 2 members - Mark Bromwich/Bokowiec (Oscillators andFX)
and Eli Vasylenko(Guitar)
Inspired by and sharing the same circuitry as bands like Can,Throbbing Gristle,This
Heat and the original Human League the group quickly expanded to 4full time
members with the addition of Pete Humphries (Bass Gutar) and Julius(Napalm
Fingernails) Vasylenko on vocals.
Rehearsals took the form of long improvisation sessions firstly at variousgroup
members homes and moving on to a Studio in The Department of Psychology
at Leeds University.
In the Autumn of '78 Val Denham joined the group on vocals and the infamous
'Human Slug Session' was recorded for limited release with such classics
as 'Surburbia' and 'Panic in Bradford'.
The band expanded and contracted as various people joined the core of the
group
These included Simon and Carl Bromwich on Drum machine and vocals respectively,Clare
on Bass guitar, Jak Hardy on vocals, John (Rok Star) Phillips on keyboards/vocals
and Ray Buck (Junkyard Supermarket) on vocals.
The group finally disbanded in 1981 but Mark and Peter carried on as a Synthesiser
duo - Binary Man and performed gigs in and around their home town, Bradford.
Some early publicity Photographs
of The group
From Left to Right : Pete,Mark,Jules & Eli.
Val 1978
Val Denham on the original Counterdance
badge
Empty Streets
For years now, streets have been
empty
nothing living dare peer into light
of day
Strange colonies have formed, many
are blind
they excavate in the soil eating
worms & vermin
In the shelters there is warmth &
light
inhabitants look through the albums
of youth
Electric photographs emit memories
& fade
whilst the newborn ask about objects
they will never see.
Sometimes I walk from the factory
gates, ask the time and smile
although everyones time is different,
no one minds anymore.
On occasions, I'll catch a train
to the council halls
where frustrated housewives plan
their tours to the valium mines,
not far
from the surface.
On the sabbath we worship plastic
trees 
and eat half cooked geese in mid
flight
Deep underground the colonies are
still digging
Deeper, closer, nearer to your door.
Lyrics/Visuals: Carl T Bromwich