The Prisoners' founder members, Graham Day, Allan Crockford and Johnny Symons (guitar/vocals, bass and drums respectively), first got together as naive sixteen year olds in January 1980, and put together a set of mostly R&B and soul covers, with a few Graham Day originals for good measure. Nothing was taken too seriously though, until the introduction of James Taylor on organ two years to the month later. They played live in their home county of Kent for eight months before becoming demoralised after things didn't exactly take off. In August 1982, they booked themselves into Oakwood Studios in Herne Bay, Kent for a day and a half to make a farewell record for their local following and themselves as a keepsake. The resulting album "A Taste Of Pink", was released on their own label, Own Up Records in September 1982, and the band decided to play some shows to promote the disc and then call it a day. However the record started selling really well, and offers of live work were pouring in. They came up to London to do a series of supports with fellow Medway Delta group The Milkshakes, and were immediately rebooked to headline each venue in their own right. At one such venue, The Hope & Anchor in Islington, they were approached by the French label Skydog, who bettered the previous two offers they'd had to license the album (now in its third pressing) for France. It was released alongside a newly recorded single, "There's A Time"/"Return Of The Cybermen", in March 1983. To coincide, the group started touring Europe, and became more successful there than back home where they still didn't have a recording contract - very odd considering the amount of sales they'd had out of "A Taste Of Pink". Roger Armstrong at Big Beat Records had been aware of The Prisoners for quite a while, having seen them play with The Milkshakes in late '82 and was biding his time as the band progressed. He finally made his move in the Autumn of '83, signing them for a short term deal. They were soon booked into I.C.C. Studios, Eastbourne, with producer Philip Chevron (who later joined The Pogues), to record their second album "The WiserMiserDemelza" and the single "Hurricane"/"Tomorrow She Said", both released in August 1983. The Meldoy Maker said of the album: "It's original, brash and great to dance to in a seething crush". All the reviewers agreed "Hurricane" and "Tonight", with its brass accompaniment, were the stand out tracks. More touring, mostly in Europe, then ensued, broken only by the recording and release of the Big Beat EP "Electric Fit", produced by Milkshakes' bassist Russ Wilkins. He gave them a rawer, more vibrant sound than the more polished Chevron works - this got mixed reactions as to whether it was a step forwards or backwards. The fans bought it just the same. Who could resist owning "Melanie" on vinyl?

Although the Prisoners were no strangers to television appearances abroad, their debut UK airing was on Channel 4's 'The Tube' where they performed "Reaching My Head" in a garage band segment alongside Thee Milkshakes, The Sting-rays and the Tall Boys. The music from said segment was issued on the Big Beat compilation EP "Four On 4". At about this time, the recoed company licensed an album's worth of material to the American label Pink Dust (a subsidiary of Enigma). The resulting LP was titled "Revenge Of The Prisoners", and featured the "Electric Fit" tracks, the best of "WiserMiserDemelza" "Reaching My Head", plus two unissued tracks "Coming Home" (alt. version) and "Love Changes". By now though the Big Beat deal had run its course, and it was mutually agreed that the band should record their third album, "The Last Fourfathers" for Own Up, which was still selling yet another pressing of their first album. The new LP, another Russ Wilkins' production, hit the streets in early 1985 and received rave reviews from the NME and Sounds alike. True to form, the boys spent the rest of the year on the road promoting the vinyl. When not on tour in Europe they were averaging five shows a week back in Blighty, week in, week out, in the trusty Transit up and down the country.

At this point The Prisoners were getting hungry for real success, but in different ways to each other. There were frequent arguements about the group's direction, image, and that old favourite, money. In January 1986 Countdown Records subsidiary of Stiff, made an offer which included a sizeable advance. Graham and Allan didn't really want to sign, being quite happy to carry on with their own label and getting increasingly heavier musically. James and Johnny though insisted they take the deal. At the end of the day it was a sign or split up situation, so they signed. The cards were on the table, it was make or break time.

The album "In From The Cold" was released in April 1986, amongst rows over publishing rights, a watered down production, and money, again. Musically though, the band were at their best, as they proved as special guests on a Ramones tour. Also the songwriting was becoming more of a band collaboration, as opposed to the earlier Day domination.

Countdown also released the single, "Whenever I'm Gone", and to celebrate, our intrepid combo filled the Transit full of gas and hit the road again. The bickering got worse, now usually about the volume of guitar or organ; and probably aggravated by one of the weakest sounding records of their career. On the 18th September 1986 The Prisoners played their last ever gig (or so we feared) at the 100 Club in Oxford Street. They had just finished recording two new songs, "Pop Star Party", a dig at their label who also paid the studio bill, and "Happiness For Once", a riduculous psychedelic nonsensical tune which was later heralded as their finest song. Both songs appeared on the retrospective Hangman Records album "The Prisoners - Rare and Unissued".

The demise of The Prisoners was a very sad day. At what they did, they were undoubtedly the best, an obvious inspiration to many, including some of the current ultra-hip Manchester groups.

Today, (1990) Johnny Symons is working on an oil rig, having been to college and earning a degree in Engineering Science. James Taylor and Allan Crockford went on to form The James Taylor Quartet, which in January 1988 saw James signing to Polydor, and Allan leaving the band. James has had two very successful albums and has constant live work Worldwide. Graham Day did time as drummer of Thee Mighty Caesars (appearing on all of their numerous recordings), leaving to form a band, The Gift Horses, which didn't amount to anything. Recently though he got back together with Allan Crockford, who'd been working with Thee Headcoats, to form the wonderful Prime Movers, a band to watch indeed.

For all fans of The Prisoners 1997 is a good year - thank **** you're back!

THE PRISONERS DISCOGRAPHY 1982-88

Compiled by Nick Garrad

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