The Rezillos

Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1976., the Rezillos emerged at the same time as other bands in the punk rock movement in their own bubble with brash energy and their own inimitable approach to their music.

Released in July 1978, the Rezillos' only studio album is now revered as a classic album of the original wave of British punk. The group split up sensationally only four months after its release, securing themselves iconic status. Soon after, the band's guitarist and then principal songwriter Jo Callis joined The Human League, co-writing some of The Human League's best known songs during their most successful period, including their biggest worldwide hit, "Don't You Want Me". The Rezillos' vocalists Eugene Reynolds and Fay Fife formed the Revillos, taking Fay and Eugene’s musical vision to a fanatical cult audience, in part where the Rezillos left off, in other parts at variance.

“Can't Stand the Rezillos” was released on the influential Sire Records label on 21 July 1978 and included the top twenty UK hit "Top of the Pops", used as a jingle on BBC Radio 1. The album also featured their version of Somebody’s Gonna get Their head Kicked in Tonite which was subsequently used in Jackass, the Movie. Reaching number 16 in the UK Albums Chart, Trouser Press called the band "a blast of fresh air compared to the more serious bands of new wave's first charge" and praised the album as "an action-packed document of their pop/camp approach". Punk aficionados continue to acclaim the album. In 1994, All Time Top 1000 Albums named Can't Stand the Rezillos one of the 50 best punk albums of all time, proclaiming the Rezillos "exuberant almost to the point of hysteria" creating "a body of work full of verve, style and humour", which this album "encapsulates to perfection". In March 2003, Mojo magazine ranked the LP in its 'Top 50 Punk Albums'.

 

The Rezillos reformed after being invited to play at Edinburgh's world famous Hogmanay celebrations, and have continued to play live ever since, releasing new singles occasionally. In November 2011 the band were presented with the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Legends Award at Scotland's Tartan Clef awards, and In November 2012 the Rezillos undertook their first ever full length tour of North America. The tour lasted fifteen dates and took in the east and west coasts of the USA, mid-USA and Canada.

 

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