Bpeople

The arty new wave outfit the BPeople first assembled in Los Angeles, California, USA, during April 1979. Its shifting roster at various points featured Pat Delaney on synthesizer and saxophone after his time with the Deadbeats, Michael Gira handling vocals, Alex Gibson on guitar and vocals, Paul Cutler on bass, Fred Nilsen contributing bass, saxophone, and vocals following his stint in the Doo Doo Ettes, and Tom Recchion on drums and vocals. Initially operating under the names Little Cripples and Strict Ids, the group gained broader exposure through inclusion on Let Them Eat Jellybeans, the compilation assembled by Jello Biafra while he still fronted Dead Kennedys. Two EPs had already appeared on Faulty/IRS Records in the early 1980s. Gira soon relocated to New York, where he launched Circus Mort and later the Swans, whereas Gibson, who composed the score for Penelope Spheeris’ punk film Suburbia, also played intermittently with Human Sexual Response. The ensemble’s aggressive sonic experiments and steadfast refusal to follow prevailing trends ultimately proved invigorating, qualities showcased on their lone studio mini-album issued in 1981 and likened at the time to the work of Joy Division. Renewed attention to Gibson’s solo recordings and his involvement with Passionel later prompted the release of a BPeople compilation on Restless Records in 1986.