Masterswitch
Masterswitch: fr left
Jimmy Edwards, Me, Martin Lee, Mark Steed
Masterswitch came together in 76 just as the phenomenon called punk was beginning. Although we had little in common musically with the majority of bands loosely gathered under the punk banner we shared the "outsider' mindset and became regular performers at punk venue The Vortex. as well as the more traditional Marquee.
The lineup featured Mark Steed on bass, Martin Lee on drums and Jimmy Edwards who later had a solo deal with Polydor before forming "Time UK" with Rick Buckler from "The Jam", on vocal duties. In the beginning we also had Ray Simonee ( another future member of Time Uk) on guitar but he left due to personal problems
The band signed to Epic in Feb 78 putting out one single 'Action Replay'.
We had been signed to the UK office under pressure from a New York A&R man who recognised our stadium potential for the USA and was concerned that the other new uk acts on Epic would not be able to cut it stateside. Not an ideal situation
politically with regard to the London office and by June disillusioned with the whole majors experience, management manipulation and vanished funds we broke up...
Rehearsing at "Summa" 78.
Masterswitch were described in the premiere fanzine of the time as punks answer to "Genesis"; never understood why, but I think it was intended as a compliment. We established a cult following, among our supporters "Johnny and the Self Abusers" who later became "Simple Minds". Most memorable gig, playing a 45 minute set in 25 minutes at the old Marquee and afterwards being pestered by a drunk Brian Robertson from the disbanded Thin Lizzy who wanted to join the band and Mick Ronson who wanted to produce us.
Masterswitch almost appeared on the "Live at the Vorex" album but refused to sign a publishing contract produced on the night so although we performed were not recorded.
Action Replay also made it onto the "Permanent Wave" cbs compilation album.
Previously un released material is available on the Products page.
The last gig.
We were recently approached by a specialist punk / new wave label from the states who were interested in releasing a cd of our material. Though impressed with what we sent them, they declined as it didn't fit their definition of of the genre. Strange how over time what was in it's day a fairly broad umbrella of music becomes set in stone as a very limited set of definable characteristics. Even funnier when you consider the first band labeled as punk in the media was actually "Aerosmith". Once again the shifting sand of semantics rewrites history...
