Repetition – in session for John Peel – August 6, 1981 – broadcast August 17 – BBC Radio 1 –
Repetition in session for John Peel tonight. Only together from 1979-1983, they released three singles and appeared on several Belgian compilation albums, leading many to think Repetition was a Belgian Post-Punk band. But no, they were from London and consisted of Pete Petrol formerly with the band Spizzoil on guitar, Drummer Tim Transe, keyboard player A.S.D.H (or Andy Hooper), bassist AWOL (aka: Nicholas) and Sarah Osbourne, vocals.
This session, the only one they did for Peel, was recorded on August 8th and broadcast on the 17th of August. This incarnation features Steve Musham, guitar/vocals – bass and guitar Jim Solar – Tim Transe on drums and Andy Hooper on keyboards.
Shortly after that they recorded their third and last single and called it a day.
Unfortunately, there is scant information on the band or whether they were critically well received or not – apparently they were, since John Peel showed enough interest to book the band into Maida Vale for this 4 song session. But like so many bands during this period; they came and went at almost warp-speed – not long enough to stage a breakthrough or even get noticed by critics in the U.S.
As far as I can tell, the band members went their separate ways, Pete Petrol joined Altered Images and the whereabouts of the others is unclear. Keyboard player Hooper did pass away in 2012.
Why they didn’t breakthrough is a mystery, as it is with many bands and the baffling nature of Rock and the fan base.
I seriously doubt if that many people are familiar with Repetition. What they did, they did well and this Peel session offers ample proof of that.
In any event, crank it up and see what happens.
Much appreciated. This is one of my favourite bands. Sarah (in an earlier incarnation of the band) went on to form or join Allez Allez and married Glen Gregory from Heaven 17.
I am wondering if she was in the band during these sessions or if she had left just prior. I don’t see her listed on the Peel sessions list, so I was curious about that. My pleasure – maybe a Heaven 17 session soon!