Play Dead

One of the more obscure outfits in England's nascent early-'80s goth rock milieu, Play Dead fused a largely imitative set of reference points with occasional moments of striking originality, thereby carving out a modest underground following. Formed as a four-piece in the closing months of 1980 in the Oxford-adjacent town of Banbury, the group initially included an additional guitarist named Re Vox. Following a personnel adjustment, the definitive configuration settled around guitarist Steve Green, singer Rob Hickson, bassist Pete Waddleston, and drummer Mark "Wiff" Smith. Although the band later dismissed its earliest singles recorded with Re Vox, such as "TV Eye" (unrelated to the Stooges' proto-punk staple), a period of label complications and temporary enforced inactivity preceded the release of the definitive single "Propaganda." Additional singles and EPs appeared in due course, accompanied by BBC radio sessions and a prominent tour alongside Sex Gang Children. Album releases continued until 1985; shortly after a concluding concert late that year, however, Waddleston departed for India. The remaining members regrouped under the name Beastmaster Generals, yet only demo recordings emerged before Play Dead effectively disbanded.