The March Violets are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in 1981 in Leeds, incorporating singers of both sexes, drum machine rhythms and echo-laden electric guitar, much in the style of fellow Leeds band the Sisters of Mercy. The group met at Leeds University. The original band members were Tom Ashton (guitar), Laurence "Loz" Elliot (bass), Simon "Detroit" Denbigh (vocals) and Rosie Garland (vocals).
Percussion was provided by a drum machine, nicknamed "Dr. Rhythm", a feature they had in common with many of the bands in the Leeds scene at the time. Fellow student Andrew Eldritch, lead singer of the Sisters of Mercy, released the band's debut 7", the four-track "Religious as Hell" EP, on his Merciful Release label on 28 August 1982. A second single on Merciful Release, "Grooving in Green", followed on 27 November 1982.
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Links to Peel[]
The group did three sessions for Peel's programmes between 1982 and 1984.
On his 30 January 1984 (BBC World Service) show, Peel mentioned that their latest single, Snake Dance, sounded too close to heavy metal.
After 1984, Peel seemed to have lost interest in the group and rarely played tracks from them.
Sessions[]
1. Recorded: 1982-07-10. Broadcast: 02 August 1982. Repeated: 24 August 1982, 21 September 1982, 21 December 1982
- Radiant Boys / Steam / 1-2-I Love You / Grooving In Green
2. Recorded: 1983-03-19. Broadcast: 24 March 1983. Repeated: 19 April 1983
- Strange Head / Slow Drip Lizard / The Undertow / Crowbaby
3. Recorded: 1984-06-12. Broadcast: 19 June 1984. Repeated: 11 July 1984
- Lights Go Out / Love Hit / Electric Shades / Don't Take It Lightly
Other Shows Played[]
- 1982
- 28 July 1982: Religious As Hell (7" EP) Merciful Release MR 013
- 01 August 1982 (BFBS): Religious As Hell (7" EP) Merciful Release MR 013
- 24 November 1982 (BFBS): Grooving In Green (7") Merciful Release
- 25 November 1982: Grooving In Green (7") Merciful Release
- 1983
- 24 April 1983 (BFBS): Crow Baby (7") Rebirth
- 16 May 1983 (BBC World Service): Crow Baby (7") Rebirth
- 13 July 1983 (BFBS): Crow Bait (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12
- 12 October 1983 (BFBS): Long Pig (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12
- 15 October 1983 (BFBS): Long Pig (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12
- 1984
- 04 January 1984 (BFBS): Crow Bait (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12
- Peel Mid Jan 1984: Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 25 January 1984 (BFBS): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 30 January 1984 (BBC World Service): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 11 February 1984 (BFBS): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 11 February 1984 (BFBS): It's Hot (12" - Snake Dance) Rebirth RB 2112
- 20 February 1984 (BBC World Service): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 29 February 1984 (BFBS): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 29 February 1984 (BFBS): Long Pig (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12
- 03 March 1984 (BFBS): Snake Dance (12") Rebirth RB 2112
- 09 July 1984 (BBC World Service): Walk Into The Sun (12") Rebirth
- 06 August 1984: Walk Into The Sun (single) Rebirth
- 17 October 1984: Undertow (LP – Natural History) Vinyl Rebirth
- 28 October 1984 (BFBS): Radiant Boys (LP – Natural History) Vinyl Rebirth
- 1985
- 14 April 1985 (BFBS): Crow Bait (12" - Crow Baby) Rebirth RB 18 12