Sometimes weird but always wonderful, post-punk cult legends Punishment of Luxury (also known as Punilux) are gracing Teesside again in December, thanks to Big Figure Promotions.
Hailing from Gateshead and formed in the mid-70s, they took their name from a painting by Italian artist Giovanni Segantini. With a shared background in English fringe theatre, Punishment of Luxury have always had a flair for dramatics. Their passion for theatricality and intrigue merged to form the basis of the band, which holds such a huge status among their fans.
In July 1978, the band’s first single, ‘Puppet Life’, was released on the indie label Small Wonder. In 1979, they signed with United Artists, releasing the singles ‘Engine of Excess’ and ‘Secrets’. That same year saw the release of their now-acclaimed album ‘Laughing Academy’, despite being dropped by UA during its recording. Undeterred, the band continued to tour, even securing a spot between The Cure and Motörhead at the Reading Rock Festival. Their punk attitude brought their second album, ‘Revolution by Numbers’, to life, despite it almost being abandoned. Eventually, they signed with Red Rhino and released the mini-album ‘7’, before calling it a day in 1984.
More recently, Punilux reunited in 2007 for bassist Jim Giro’s 50th birthday party, playing a few songs before securing a gig at The Three Tuns in their hometown just over a year later. Despite line-up changes before and after reforming, the band has continued to gig ever since, including celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut album on Teesside. In 2012, they released new music titled ‘5’, and in 2019, the career-spanning 5-CD box set ‘Puppet Life (The Complete Recordings)’.
Diverse influences, honed talent, and a ton of charisma lend themselves to a magical live experience that effortlessly shifts between whimsical and chaotic angst. Expect things to get a little strange with costumes, jagged rhythms, humorous lyrics, and more than a little mojo.
Punishment of Luxury were ahead of their time at their inception and still manage to feel futuristic today. Witness the magic on Friday 6th December at The Georgian Theatre.
Support comes from Cazimi from Sunderland and Bones Park Rider from Sheffield.
Tickets, priced at £15.00 in advance, are available from georgiantheatre.co.uk.
