Formed: Dalston, London, England, UK

"The Desperate Bicycles were formed in March 1977 specifically for the purpose of recording and releasing a single on their own label. They booked a studio in Dalston (London) for three hours and with a lot of courage and a little rehearsal they recorded 'Smokescreen' and 'Handlebars' It subsequently leapt at the throat... They'd really like to know why you haven't made your single yet. "It was easy, it was cheap, go and do it" (the complete cost of "Smokescreen" was £153) The medium may very well have been tedium but it's changing fast. So if you can understand, go and join a band. Now it's your turn.............." (Liner notes on 2nd single, July 1977)

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DISCOGRAPHY

Singles & Albums

Smokescreen (7", 1977)

The Medium Was Tedium (7", 1977)

New Cross, New Cross (7", 1978)

Occupied Territory (7", 1978)

Channel / Stammer (7", as The Evening Outs, 1980)

Remorse Code (LP, 1980)

Grief Is Very Private (7", 1980)

Bootlegs

The Desperate Bicycles (LP, 2010)

 

Various Artists

Instant Pop Classics Volume One - The Clones Of Dr. Punkenstein Germany LP 1998 (HappyLuxPop-Records): Smokescreen / Handlebars

Instant Pop Classics Volume Two - The Clones Of Dr. Punkenstein Germany LP 1998 (HappyLuxPop-Records): The Medium Was Tedium

Messthetics #8: UK '77-82 D.I.Y. Bands: "D" US CDR 2002 (Hyped To Death): Smokescreen / The Medium Was Tedium

British Underground - The Best Of The UK Punk New Wave 1977 - 1982 Vol. 2 UK LP ???? (Chaos Wrecords): Medium Was Tedium

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Links

I Love Milkshakes - Desperate Bikes downloads galore

Punk 77 - Desp-Bikes bio etc

Shit-Fi - Excellent archival interview