The Satellites
Acton, London

 

 

Derek Gibbs - Vocals John McCall (aka John Johnson) - Bass*
Robert Deacon - Guitar Danny Heatley - Drums

 * Also went under the name of 'Johnnie R2'.

 

 The Satellites started in Acton, west London, in 1977 and were formed 20 years to the day that the Soviet Union launched the world's first Earth satellite, Sputnik.

Their six year lifespan saw them record four 7" singles, plus one 14 track LP:

 

"Urban Gorilla" / "High Rise Hillbillies" (Rewind)

(Derek Gibbs vocals, John Johnson bass, Robert Deacon guitar, Danny Heatley drums)

 

"Human Being"  / "Windscale Boy" (Rewind)

(Derek Gibbs vocals, John Johnson bass, Robert Deacon guitar, Amanda De Grey keyboard, Danny Heatley drums)

 

"Nightmare" / "Danse Macabre" / "New Holy War" (Kamera)

(Derek Gibbs vocals, John Johnson bass, Robert Deacon guitar, Jim Kane drums)

 

"Vietnam" / "Lucy Is A Lesbian" / "I Fell In Love With A Prostitute" (Brickyard)

(Derek Gibbs vocals, John Johnson bass, Robert Deacon guitar, Jim Kane drums)

 

LP: "Here Is Today's News"  (Brickyard)

(Derek Gibbs vocals, John Johnson bass, Robert Deacon guitar, Danny Heatley drums)

 

The 3 tracks from the Kamera 7” are available on Anagram Records’ Punk Rarities Volume 2 CD.

 

For Fact Freaks:

The album cover of Phonogram’s 1977 “New Wave” LP ( featuring The Damned, Dead Boys, Richard hell, etc) was a photo of Derek Gibbs spitting beer, with John Johnson the bass player lurking in the background wearing a swimming cap.

 

Above is the rare original promo poster to the "New Wave" compilation album featuring "Derek Gibbs" spitting beer.

 

 In 1978 the band met Rat Scabies when supporting his band the White Cats. He subsequently became their producer on the first two 7”s, as well as sometimes drumming for them.

 Singer Derek Gibbs wrote punk fanzine Sound of the Westway.

 The band were featured in Punk Lives magazine.

 Drummer Danny Heatley has played with numerous bands since The Satellites (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Heatley_(musician)).

 Drummer Jim Kane joined the band after leaving Fresh Records’ outfit, The Dark.

 Keyboard player Amanda De Grey also played with The Transmitters.

(http://www.stormproductions.biz/Storm%20Artists/Amanda/AMANDA.HTM)

 

Played at

Last Bastion, White Hart, Acton

Skunks, Blue Coat Boy, Angel

Greyhound, Fulham Palace Road

Ad Lib Club, The Kensington

Moonlight Club, West Hampstead

 

Played with

The Ruts / The Transmitters / The Decorators / White Cats / London Pride / Crass / Tubeway Army / Misty In Roots / Adam & the Ants/ The Lurkers

 

The above Benefit gig advert for 'Bongo Danny With The Enchanters', 'The Satellites', 'London Pride' & 'The Pack' at 'Acton Town Hall', London from Friday 24th November 1978 appeared in Sounds on 25th November 1978.

 

Above is an original A5 Gig Flyer for the "White Hart", Acton from Tuesday 12th September 1978 and features "The Satellites", "The Condemned", "The Pack" & "London Pride"
 

Above is an original A5 Gig Flyer for the "Adam & Eve", Hayes, London for "The Satellites", "London Pride" & "The Dog Suckers" from Thursday 20th September 1979.
 
Above is an original A5 Gig Flyer for the  "The Satellites", "Crass" & "The Heroes" from Friday 1st June 1979 for "Ealing Technical College", London.
 
Above is an original A5 Gig Flyer for the  "The Satellites", "Crass" & "The Heroes" from Friday 1st June 1979 for "Ealing Technical College", London.

The above gig advert appeared in 'Sounds' on the 18th April 1981.

 

The Basement Bar, Clarendon Hotel, Hammersmith

The above snippet appeared in 'Melody Maker' on 4th September 1982.

The above snippet appeared in 'Melody Maker' on 5th March 1983.
 

The above gig advert for "The Gymslips", "The Satellites" & "Prime Cut" for the "The New Moonlight" from Friday 4th March 1983 appeared in 'Melody Maker' on 5th March 1983.

Thanks to www.noclass.co.uk for the above information.

 

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