Lights On (YouTube) Modern Homes (YouTube)

Early Days The Protons formed in Wellington in June 1980. Initially a high energy three piece consisting of Tony Richards (guitar, vocals), Phil Bowering (bass, vocals) and Lawrence Sampson (drums), the band played all original punk/new wave material written by Tony and Phil. Although the band received a negative reaction from some of the local punks when they first started performing, they continued gigging as a trio, playing support for Toy Love in August 1980 and at Mainstreet in Auckland in September 1980. On returning to Wellington they recorded five songs on the four track at Sausage Studios while the nuclear warship the USS Truxtun was in port, including the later to be released Wolves of Power anti-nuclear song (about the Truxtun). May Lloyd joined the band as vocalist in October 1980 and the band played gigs in Wellington with the Mockers, Coup d'Etat and the Valentinos.

Protons live @ Mainstreet, Auckland. From left: Phil Bowering, Lawrence Sampson, Tony Richards

L to R: Tony Richards, Lawrence Sampson, May Lloyd, Phil Bowering

Lights On/Modern Homes Still relatively unknown, the band secured a last minute spot on the main stage at the 1981 Nambassa Festival where the saw-edged sound of the band was well received by a crowd used to jazz, blues and folk music. After Nambassa the band were booked in at Harlequin Studios in Auckland to record a single, but unfortunately the festival went bust and the Protons arrived in Auckland without the money they were to have been paid for the Nambassa gig. Returning to Wellington, the band played support to Pop Mechanix at Victoria University and in March 1981 recorded more songs on the four track at Sausage Studios. By the time these recordings were made the Protons had become a snappy four piece with an extensive and diverse repertoire of original songs, incorporating quirky off-beat rhythms, elements of punk, funk, reggae and jazz and lyrics which ranged from satire to irreverence. The single Lights On/Modern Homes was released on Bunk Records and the band made a video clip of Lights On at TVNZ's Avalon Studios before disbanding. Lights On single sleeve Wolves of Power Using the Protons recording of Wolves of Power, Phil Bowering released Wolves of Power/Mutants (as a result of nuclear fallout) as a single under his own name in 1982 to coincide with the second visit of the USS Truxtun to Wellington. During this visit Phil was also out on Wellington harbour in a small boat as part of the protests against the visit of nuclear warships. Wolves of Power single sleeve

Atmospherics In 1982/83 Phil and Tony again worked together in Atmospherics, performing more groove orientated compositions by Tony for a dance troupe which included Andrea Sanders (now of Beat Girls fame). Atmospherics with Tony Richards (guitar, tapes and effects), Phil Bowering (bass), Richard Bennett (drums), Mike Booth (trumpet), David Woodbridge (trombone), Peter Sharman (french horn) and Roger Sellers (percussion) recorded at Radio New Zealand, Wellington for the Concert Programme.

Tony, Phil, Richard Bennett   Atmospherics live

Phil and Tony, London     circa 1991

Tracks and Lyrics The following tracks are now available here as free downloads [Track Artist (Composer) Recorded]

1. Wolves of Power Phil Bowering/Protons (Phil Bowering) September 1980 2. Not My Style Protons (Tony Richards) September 1980 3. Business Bustle Protons (Phil Bowering) September 1980 4. Humble Fumble Protons (Phil Bowering) September 1980 5. (All For The Sake of) Appearances Protons (Phil Bowering) March 1981 6. Plastic Image Protons (Phil Bowering) March 1981

Tracks 2 - 6 are previously unreleased.

Wolves of Power cold grey Truxtun warship visit forces of destruction in our lives part of a senseless arms race one mistake no one survives paper welcomes sailors to our nightspots with lure - girls get in free those who care just don't get a look in is this the way that it should be? too much control by Wolves of Power they make the lamb fat then they devour doubters calling for protection possessing little peace in hand power matters more than people to the rulers of our land too much control by Wolves of Power they make the lamb fat then they devour you if you've got no time to think you if you've got to make a buck you as you have another drink you if you don't give a f*** too much control by Wolves of Power they make the lamb fat then they devour too much control by Wolves of Power they make the lamb fat then they devour too much control by Wolves of Power they make the lamb fat then they devour (repeat and fade) Business Bustle sleepy eyed only half alive I peer through ragged curtains sound of city stirring motors weekday job seems certain helter skelter downhill slide I've missed my bus now racing can't be late sign in at eight morning rush I'm facing Business Bustle walk/no time to stop and talk will I just hoot and squalk just like all the rest product based rapid waste mass consumption wrapped bouquet planned decay unkind unction profits are up workforce been cut monopoly muscle proven punch company chairman spunky secretary office robots out to lunch Business Bustle face/big city frantic pace busy ants grabbing race love is bringing crumbs closer bar room games well known names casually dropped at parties theatre toads accountant's codes arrogant arty farties two car bay view wealth's chosen few gluttons gambit mammon's gain starving child cries poor old man dies no shelter from ice cold rain Business Bustle rush/blatant people crush it's OK our carpet's plush we don't even have to worry Humble Fumble giving gets used minion roles abused snob nosed attitudes little gratitude keep up this treatment you're gonna tumble I'm telling you you're gonna tumble distant witness formal fitness avoids soiled hands not known own stand what would you do if you were lost in the jungle would you keep your cool or would you bungle coz I hear the sound of a distant rumble I said dead institutions crumble as the last lost lunatic mumbles I'm sticking with Humble Fumble all need warm love not shove off second rate weakness put down lapsing sick state help us out of this jumble please don't let us stumble coz I hear the sound of a distant rumble I said dead institutions crumble as the last lost lunatic mumbles I'm sticking with Humble Fumble cheap slaves no plea street steals set fee commerce business only interest feelings suppressed stir up unrest sold short too much dead wood don't touch I hear the sound of a distant rumble I said dead institutions crumble as the last lost lunatic mumbles I'm sticking with Humble Fumble (All For The Sake of) Appearances comb your hair shave your legs wear a drip dry shirt dolled up to the wisdom teeth to clean for a speck of dirt brand new house and a shiny car at a price you can't afford dressing up the basic facts you get the group award All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances go to work boring job pretend it's a lot of fun strive to earn a living wage and paradise in the sun but it's too late to buy that dream you thought success would bring when you played along with false allure you lost the real thing All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances smile and say I feel alright pretend there's nothing wrong be a man and play the game - act cool and strong but the pain I feel won't go away it just gets pushed aside and glossed over with trivia like statues of my pride All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of Appearances All For The Sake of A All For The Sake of All For The Sake Plastic Image proud owner of sleek maroon motorcycle lounge bar drinker bourbon and coke inner city dweller in a thin white house vanishing in blue grey cloud of smoke Plastic Image I'm talking about Plastic Image falsehood flout Plastic Image it just don't last Plastic Image is fading fast covered real face make up games changing colours underneath it's just the f****** same new car knockout parked outside dressed in white like a virgin bride Plastic Image I'm talking about Plastic Image falsehood flout Plastic Image it just don't last Plastic Image is fading fast am I what I see I am going to be skip a line climb a tree find the real me perfume gift wrapped for my girl working in woolies selling snowfreeze whirls meet for a meal in our vinyl coats down at McDonalds eating broiled goat Plastic Image I'm talking about Plastic Image falsehood flout Plastic Image it just don't last Plastic Image is fading fast