PragVEC

PragVEC was a post-punk band from London, England,[1] formed in 1978. The band name was a contraction of the two words "pragmatism" and "vector", chosen at random.[1] [2]

PragVEC
OriginLondon, England
GenresPost-punk
Years active1978–1981
Associated actsThe Derelicts, Fad Gadget, the Lines, the Atoms, Foetus
Past membersSusan Gogan
John Studholme
David Boyd
Nicholas Cash

History

PragVEC were formed in February 1978 by ex-Derelicts members Susan Gogan (vocals, synthesizer) and John Studholme guitar, synthesizer, along with David Boyd (bass) and Nicholas Cash (drums).[3][4][5]

On 16 October 1978, they released their debut EP, the four-song 7" Bits, on their own Spec Records label.[2] It was followed on 10 July 1979 by the "Expert" single.[2] Both records were compiled on an eponymous 12" EP issued on the French label Celluloid Records.[6]

PragVEC played concerts during 1978 and 1979, opening for bands such as Cabaret Voltaire, Scritti Politti, the Psychedelic Furs, the Monochrome Set, Au Pairs, Magazine, Chelsea, Stiff Little Fingers and the Teardrop Explodes.[7][8]

During their short existence, they also recorded a total of three sessions for the John Peel programme.[9] The last of these showed them moving away from the guitar-based sound of the first EP towards the use of the Wasp, a battery-powered portable synthesizer with a built-in speaker. Two of the songs, "Rural Erotic" and "Third Person", were re-recorded for the No-Cowboys album, released in December 1980.[10] Packaged in a polythene bag, the record was presented as a compilation by various bands, although all of the material was recorded by PragVEC.[2]

The band split in 1981, with Cash joining Fad Gadget and the Lines.[11] Gogan joined the Atoms. Jim Thirlwell, who had contributed Wasp synth to No-Cowboys, went on to form Foetus.[4]

Studholme, who had co-written many of the band's songs with Gogan, died in November 2005 after a long illness. Around the time of his death, he, Gogan and Cash had been working with Mute Records to compile a reissue of PragVEC material.

Half Man Half Biscuit recorded a song "Prag VEC at the Melkweg", on their 1991 album McIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt.[12]

Personnel
Former members
  • Susan Gogan – vocals, synthesizer
  • John Studholme – guitar, synthesizer
  • David Boyd – bass
  • Nick Cash – drums
Guest studio members
  • John Glyn - tenor sax
  • Art Moran - alto sax
  • Jim Thirlwell - synthesizer, vocals

Discography

Studio albums
  • No-Cowboys (1980, Spec Records)

Singles and EPs
  • Bits 7" EP (1978, Spec Records)
  • "Expert" 7" single (1979, Spec Records)
  • PragVEC 12" EP (1979, Celluloid Records)

References
  1. "Perfect Sound Forever: Prag Vec interview". Furious.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. "prag VEC". Users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. Gimarc, George (1994) Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982, Vintage, ISBN 978-0-09-952211-9, p. 113
  4. Strong, Martin C.: The Great Alternative & Indie Discography, 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
  5. "prag VEC". Users.globalnet.co.uk. 21 October 1978. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  6. "pragVEC - pragVEC (1979, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  7. Neil Taylor (ed.). Document and Eyewitness. ISBN 1-4091-1221-7.
  8. "prag VEC". Users.globalnet.co.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. "Pragvec", Keeping It Peel, BBC, retrieved 2011-12-19
  10. "No-Cowboys (1980, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  11. "Nick Cash Musician". Jccarroll.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. "Half Man Half Biscuit | Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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