GEMAGE (UK) - The Story So Far (7'', self-released, 1980)

RATING: 7/10

Once upon a time, there was a British rock group named Gemage that released a sole 7'' single in 1980, and no one seemed to know a damn thing about them. In fact, though not the most typical NWOBHM-sounding band you'll ever hear in your life (more on that later), there was (and still is) a lot of people willing to spend money on their reasonably scarse "The Story So Far" B/W "Bring Me Death" vinyl release, and the paucity of info regarding the band created a certain aura of mystery around them - as well as opening way for a few long-standing misconceptions regarding the outfit's biography. Not that Gemage's history is now known in minute detail, but it's fair to say that now we do actually know a thing or two about this combo, though there are still a lot of blanks to be filled on this particular profile (can you fill 'em? Get in touch!).

Hailing from Blackburn, Lancashire UK, this particular 5-piece seems to have existed for less than two years in total, probably forming sometime in 1979 and disbanding in the latter half of 1980, or early 1981 at the very latest. The two tracks released in the single are their only studio recordings, and were laid down to tape in around Christmas 1979 at Rochdale's Cargo Studio, being independently pressed and released in the early months of 1980. Contrary to widespread belief, Gemage doesn't refer to any member's real surname: the 'B. Gemage' credited as songwriter is none other than vocalist Billy Sumner, that seems to have chosen to adopt this rather bizarre stage name for no fathomable reason. Alongside him were guitarists Pete Frayne and Paul Lowery, bassist Steve Horsefield and drummer Jimmy Byrne - a certain Gas Sumner (Billy's brother, I'd wager) seems to have laid down backing vocals to the recordings, but judging for his very minor contribution to the songs (and though the concept of dedicated backing singers in rock bands isn't exactly unheard of), I'm pretty sure it was more of a casual appearance during a visit to the studio rather than any long-term commitment to Gemage's cause. Incidentally, I was once told that all band members used the same Gemage surname when playing live, in a typical Ramones-family scenario - but I never found any tangible evidence (or an eyewitness account) to support this, so I'll keep that possibility in the 'urban legend' file until further notice. Anyway, the 7'' was seemingly meant to be sold at gigs, but I reckon they never made more than a handful of shows around their geographical area after all, and therefore not many items ever made into circulation at the time, which would help explain its reasonable scarcity.

"The Story So Far" is the main focus of interest by far, being a reasonably forceful track that truly passes out as a legitimate attempt to play metal until the chorus, when a change in tone brings a more snotty, noisy, definitively punk feel to the proceedings. The main riff (a twin-guitar lead, in fact) sticks to your head at first listen, and Mr. Gemage's voice, though far from being your typical dose of metal (sound more like a new wave singer, in fact) works remarkably well in this songs' particular setup. Job well done, lads, and I would definitely buy this 7'' in virtue of this track alone (if I had the money, that is). Things get a bit weird on the flipside though, with "Bring Me Death" being way more inclined toward groups like Love, Procol Harum and The Byrds rather than anything more metallic - or contemporary, for that matter. It's a half-acoustic, psychedelic-tinged semi-ballad which is nice enough if you're in the right frame of mind, but I suspect it was something of an oddity in the band's repertoire, and can't help but think that picking a more orthodox rocker to complete their innaugural 7'' would have been a more representative choice, showing their collective powers in a more effective light.

I don't think Gemage lasted for too long after their sole single started doing the rounds, and it's reasonable to assume they had bitten the dust in a matter of months, quickly realising their considerable talents and youthful enthusiasm alone wouldn't take them to the next step - or maybe they just decided to do something else with their lives, which is fair enough. Accordingly, I suppose most of the lads just retreated to their day jobs thereafter - the only exception being bass player Steve Horsefield, who have been playing with local heroes The Itch for quite a while now, and is also known to have been a member of the Cottontown Sound Corporation, that released an independent CD in 2014. Not much else to report I'm afraid, at least for now - let's see if some enterprising individual (or some of the band members themselves) can help us to paint a clearer picture of Gemage in the not-too-distant future.

Billy 'Gemage' Sumner (V), Peter Frayne (G), Paul Lowery (G), Steve Horsefield (B), Jimmy Byrne (D). Also performed: Gas Sumner (backing vocals). All songs by B.Gemage.

01. The Story So Far
02. Bring Me Death

Have you been involved with any of the bands mentioned here? Have any extra info and/or corrections? Please e-mail me (drequon@gmail.com) and let me know!