Biography

Long-running U.K. punk band Major Accident were one of the first and leading acts on what became known as the "Clockwork Punk" scene, a musical community whose look and lyrical themes were inspired by the stylish nihilism of the film A Clockwork Orange. Major Accident were formed in 1977 in Darlington in North Eastern England by bassist Con Larkin, then 16 years old, and his brother, vocalist Paul Larkin, who was 14. Initially known as Accident, the Larkin brothers were originally inspired by the Clash and the Sex Pistols, and joined by guitarist Dave Hammond and drummer Col Stephenson for their first shows at a local youth center. It wasn't until the early '80s that the group made its first demo recordings, which included an unreleased single, "Warboots" and "Self-Appointed Hero." (Highlights from these sessions would later see release without the band's permission as The Clockwork Demos.) After years of live work, the band won a following in the U.K., and Major Accident finally landed a record deal with the pioneering indie label Step Forward Records, releasing their debut album, Massacred Melodies, in 1982. By this time, Stu Lee had become Major Accident's drummer, and the band hit the road in support, touring the U.K. and Europe in a converted furniture delivery truck. A second album, A Clockwork Legion, followed in 1984, with a concert album, Tortured Tunes (Live -- The Official Bootleg), appeared later the same year. The band returned to the name Accident for its first U.S. release, 1985's Crazy, which was issued by the American punk label Toxic Shock. The group toured the United States as the opening act for fellow Clockwork Punk mainstays the Adicts, but shrinking audiences and unimpressive financial returns led to the group breaking up at the end of 1985. In 1996, Major Accident regrouped, with original members Con Larkin, Paul Larkin, and Dave Hammond joined by guitarist Andy Wears and drummer Andy Lazenby (aka Laze). The new lineup released an album that year, The Ultimate High, and a split LP with Foreign Legion, Cry of the Legion, was issued in 2001. While Major Accident did little recording from this point on, they continued to tour periodically in the U.K. and Europe. In 2018, the 1994 compilation Pneumatic Pneurosis, which collected Major Accident's early singles, was given an expanded reissue by Westworld Recordings. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi