Victimize
The story of Victimize…In late 1977, Barry boys, Bryn Merrick and Andy Johnson made the musical transition from playing early seventies rock to playing out and out punk. Merrick and Johnson soon started putting together some original material together, with their limited musical talent, and roped in a 15 year old Mike Rudman on drums, whose previous experience was playing snare in the local jazz band. The next recruit was Andy James on vocals. His lyrics were typical of the time Grunwick, Headlines, This is The Age, Baby Buyer, Hi Rising Failure and Where Did The Money Go. The bands first gig was in early 1978 under the name of Red Alert & The Rejects.
They continued to gig and soon gained a reputation as a hardcore punk outfit on the Cardiff pub scene building a strong army of followers throughout 1978.
In late 1978 Victimize were signed by local businessman Richard Haines first as The Victims then as Victimize to avoid confusion with a band already existing with the same name. He financed the first single Baby Buyer/Hi Rising Failure. The band were now supporting bands like the Adverts, SLF, UK Subs, Skids and The Damned. The single sold well, locally and was played by John Peel.
With no second single forthcoming various members came and went including one Roman Jugg who later joined The Damned with Bryan Merrick for a while. Round about 1980 for all intents and purposes the band folded. Strangely Richard Haines then released Where Did The Money Go a/ Innocence allegedly with no original members of the band which seems a little off as the vocals are remarkably similar. Mind you the riff seems remarkably similar to the Ramone’s Blitzkrieg Bop!
Above – The final line-up taken at the last gig.
L to R: Roman Jugg, Andy James, Bryn Merrick, Andy Johnson, Trevor Rees.
Right – The final Victimize gig exactly two years from the day they played their first gig.
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