Formed: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Although best known for the fact that half of the band - Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill and Brian McGee - went onto international stardom as Simple Minds and the other half - John Milarky, Alan McNeil and Tony Donald - struggled as the Cuban Heels, the wonderfully named Johnny And The Self Abusers released one great little 45 and promptly split. On the same day it was released! Saints And Sinners is a classic '77 punk tune clocking in at under two minutes.The press hated them and but they were fairly popular and gigged throughout the year of punk. They headlined at smaller venues and supported the likes of The Rezillos and Generation X at larger ones. Their set list contained many cover versions, including 'White Light/White Heat', 'Blitzkrieg Bop' and 'No Fun'. They only appeared to have about four original songs in their set: both sides of the single, 'Toss Yourself Off' and 'Pablo Picasso' (not to be confused with the Modern Lovers' song). When their single was bootlegged in 1989 two more new songs were added, but these were from 1978 so should be considered early Simple Minds efforts.
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DISCOGRAPHY
Singles & Albums
Saints And Sinners (7", 1977)
Bootlegs
Johnny And The Self Abusers (7", 1989)
Subway Sex - The Unreleased Album. (LP, 2015)
Pre Simple Minds (12", split with Dead Or Alive)
Johnny & The Self Abusers (CDR)
Various Artists
Catch A Wave UK 10" 1978 (NIce): Saints And Sinners
The Chiswick Story UK 2xCD 1992 (Chiswick): Saints And Sinners
Good Clean Fun UK CD 1995 ((Chiswick): Saints And Sinners
Kilt By Death: The Sound Of Old Scotland (1977-1984) ?? 2xCD 2005 (no label): Saints And Sinners
Action Time Vision (A Story Of Independent UK Punk 1976-1979) 4xCD 2016 (Cherry Red): Saints And Sinners
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Links
Simple Minds - Has a superb JATSA page
