Potential Threat - Demand An Alternative (LP, Album, RE)

Label: Mad Butcher

Potential Threat formed in Blackburn in 1981, with the first proper lineup consisting of Fos, Carl & Les Donnelly, who joined soon after. The band began rehearsing, and drummers at this stage came and went on a weekly basis. Below are two shots of the band at early rehearsals. They played a few gigs, the most legendary being a show at the 'Cats Whiskers Club' in Burnley. This gig was absolute mayhem, and the band were forced off the stage by flying glasses and bottles. It wasn't long before Carl quit the band. 1982 saw the return of Potential Threat, this time fronted by Pauline on vocals, Fos on bass, Les on lead guitar and Keith on drums. This lineup saw the band release their debut 7" 'Whats So Great Britain'. A second single was planned, but shortly before the band were due to record, the drummer left. A replacement drummer was brought in, and the band went into 'Revolution Studio's' and made a recording that was never released, although the recording of the second single was captured on videotape. 1984 saw more lineup changes, with Les and Keith departing and new members being recruited: Andy on bass and Shaun on drums, with Fos now switching to lead guitar and Pauline still on vocals. This lineup of the band signed to 'Cor' Records and released their second 7", titled 'Brainwashed'. However, it wasn't long before there were even more lineup changes. Finally, after at least a dozen drummers and numerous guitarists, the band settled on a lineup that lasted for three years. The band recorded their debut album, "Demand An Alternative", for Conflict's 'Mortarhate' label, and it was released in 1985. A second album was also recorded for release on the 'Mortarhate' label, but it was never released. In 1987, the band released a track, 'Blood Money', on a split 7" EP put out by a German record label (Recordrom Records). Shortly after, the label released the LP that had been recorded for the 'Mortarhate' label a few years earlier. This LP was titled "Never Again". The group's last and most consistent lineup was Pauline on vocals, Fos on guitar, Langy on bass and Ersy on drums. Two members of this final lineup are still involved in recording and gigging. Fos recently teamed up with "Mad Kenny" from Blackburn band the Original Mushrooms and started the band "Urban Valley Chickens", while Ersy is still playing and recording with Blackburn punk band Boredom U.K.