Chelsea

A punk outfit formed in London in 1977 by vocalist Gene October. Original members Bill Broad (better known as Billy Idol) and Tony James swiftly departed to form Generation X, but October continued to front Chelsea through myriad line-up changes.

Chelsea was a band with a strong social conscience. Specialising in sub-three-minute vitriolic outbursts on unemployment, inner-city decay and the deconstruction of society under the rule of Margaret Thatcher, their lyrics were always more interesting than their music.

While other new wave bands used the dole queue mentality and played at being oppressed, Chelsea’s angry dismay seemed depressingly genuine.

The songs were generally identikit uptempo numbers, marred by low-tech studio techniques.

Gene bellowed like a wounded bull on their debut single Right To Work which became a working-class anthem.

They continued to record throughout the ’80s, but with an ever-changing lineup and an image that became rather anachronistic.

Gene October 
Vocals
Brian James 
Guitar
Geoff Myles 
Bass
Chris Bashford 
Drums
Dave Martin 
Guitar
Steve J Jones 
Drums
Henry Daze 
Bass
James Stevenson 
Guitar
Martin Stacy 
Guitar
Bob Jessie 
Bass
Carey Fortune 
Drums
Tony James 
Bass
Bill Broad (Billy Idol)
Guitar
John Towe 
Drums

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