Actifed

Actifed originated in Hounslow, London, and remained largely confined to the early-1980s British punk circuit without achieving wider recognition. Its lineup consisted of David Rogers on vocals and lead guitar, John Bristow on bass, Clinton Grace on guitar, and Stuart Hemphill on drums. The group earned strong approval throughout the London club circuit during 1981; that popularity led to a front-cover feature in Sounds in 1982, even though the band had yet to issue any recordings. Looking back, the exposure proved counterproductive. By year’s end the same publication bestowed its “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” accolade on the quartet, citing the absence of releases caused by drawn-out contractual disputes with promoter John Curd. Additional obstacles appeared when the pharmaceutical firm Actifed objected to four youths sporting antisocial haircuts appropriating its trademark. The resulting impasse postponed the start of the band’s recording activities. On 1 March 1983 the remaining members summoned the resolve to dismiss original vocalist Weazel. This paved the way for Dawn Of Legion, a brisk four-track 12-inch issued by Jungle Records and produced by Tony James, formerly of Generation X. A nationwide UK tour ensued, followed by the June 1984 release of the second single, “Crucifixion.” Plans for a debut album were subsequently abandoned when the group disintegrated later that year, leaving Actifed to stand as a textbook instance of unrealized promise.