The band recorded the obligatory demo tape, but the response from English records companies was zero. Enter Dennis MILLIGAN, a friend of the band who offered to split the cost of releasing an EP with the boys. So with money borrowed from Bucks mum(amongst others), they set up their own Casualty Records label and their debut 45 "Dance Till You drop" hit the streets in 1981, quickly selling out of its 2000 pressing.Before the band even had the chance to think about repressing copies of the debut 7" or even releasing a follow up, in stepped John Curd, promoter and owner of the newly formed WXYZ Records. John had been pointed in the right direction by Melody Makers punk journalist Carol Clerk, herself a native of N.Ireland. John signed the DEFECTS on the strenght of Carols recommandation, without ever seeing them play.
The DEFECTS then ventured across the water to support label mates the ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE on their legendary 'So What Tour' in '82. The happened to coincide with the release of the bands 2nd single "Survival". A second UK tour with the METEORS soon followed and the band also played numerous gigs around the country with bands such as CHELSEA and CHRON GEN.
In 1982 while they were recording their debut album "Defective Breakdown" at Surreys' Jacobs Studios the band found themselves in the next room to ageing hippy Rick Wakeman. In true punk tradition the band helped themselves to Wakemans private bar. As the DEFECTS finished recording, the BUSINESS arrived. They were about to start work on their "Suburban Rebels" album, and Wakeman blarned the unsuspecting Londoners for nicking all his booze!
The DEFECTS brought label mates the Anti Nowhere League and the Meteors over for a gig in Maysfield Leisure Centre, Belfast in December '82, around the time their debut album was released to much critical acclaim. The bands next vinyl outing didn't appear until January '84 when their final single "Suspicious minds" was issued by I.D. Records. The band played their final gig on Tuesday 7th February 1984 at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, supporting the CLASH. They did however play one more support slot after this with 999, but without Buck. Glenn having to take on vocal duties.
Biography by Sean O'Neill
dance
The Defects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A place that I see every night
The same familiar faces
Always looking for a fight
They appear in unchanged places
Creating anarchy
Frustration from the other faces
Watching such insanity
Dance, dance, dance until they drop
The Defects's song "Dance" talks about a place called screaming hell that the singer sees every night. The place is chaotic, filled with people always looking for a fight. The same familiar faces appear in unchanged places, creating anarchy, and causing frustration among other people who are watching such insanity. Despite this, the singer encourages everyone to continue dancing until they drop, possibly as a way of coping with the madness around them.
Through these lyrics, The Defects highlight the idea of people's resilience and how they can still find enjoyment in difficult situations. The singer encourages others to keep dancing despite the commotion, possibly as a way of maintaining their sanity. Additionally, the lyrics can also be interpreted as a call to action to resist authority and the status quo. The Defects may be urging people to keep dancing and not give in to those who are trying to create chaos around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Way on down in screaming hell
At the depths of chaos and turmoil
A place that I see every night
A recurring nightmare I cannot escape
The same familiar faces
The constant presence of those causing trouble
Always looking for a fight
Seeking conflict and aggression at every turn
They appear in unchanged places
Showing up repeatedly in the same locations
Creating anarchy
Promoting disorder and disruption
Frustration from the other faces
Others feeling angry and powerless in response
Watching such insanity
Observing the madness unfold
Dance, dance, dance until they drop
Keep moving, even in the face of chaos and destruction
Writer(s): Nils Karsten, Michael Lee Bock Copyright: Hanseatic Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg, Antenna Musik Ed., Colomba Musikverlag Alexander Seidl, Alphabet City Musikproduktions- Und Verlags G
Contributed by Isaac D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.