The Alarm: Echoes of Rebellion and Anthem

The Alarm, a band synonymous with the anthems of freedom and a rebellious spirit, carved their own niche in the punk rock world. Starting off as an embodiment of youth restlessness, their music journey began with the profound influence of a groundbreaking punk performance. It was in 1977 when Mike Peters witnessed a charged performance by the Sex Pistols. A fleeting, albeit impactful, exchange with Johnny Rotten confirmed Peters’ destiny in punk rock. Alongside his companion Nigel Buckle on drums, they formed The Toilets, their initial musical endeavor. The band debuted onto the scene supporting the iconic The Clash in London.

Eddie McDonald, a childhood friend of Peters, joined the fold embracing the bass guitar, followed by Dave Sharp, a friend of Buckle from Manchester, completing the ensemble. The Alarm were on the cusp of something great, and here we explore five captivating insights into this band from Rhyl, Wales.

1. Beginnings: Seventeen

On adding McDonald to the mix, the group adopted the name Seventeen, which endured even after Sharp's entrance. Their early days saw them straying away from their punk roots under The Toilets, influenced by bands like The Stray Cats. A scheme involving a pretended invitation to support the Cats ultimately led to an enduring connection with them.

2. The Turning Point

A shift in musical direction saw Seventeen transform once more. With Dave Sharp's ingenuity of merging a Gibson Les Paul pickup with an acoustic Epiphone, he revolutionized their sound, playing it through a Marshall amp. This birthed a new sonority and eventually a new identity: Alarm Alarm, which was later truncated to The Alarm. An extended play record released on I.R.S. Records didn’t immediately stir the charts but accompanying U2 in tours raised their profile, laying the groundwork for an impending album.

3. Chart Success

The transition from Seventeen to The Alarm retained a single gem, "Sixty Eight Guns", which saw daylight thanks to McDonald’s composition skills and Peters’ lyrical inspiration rooted in a book about a Scottish gang. The song’s evocative title bore an amusing linkage to The Clash’s drumbeat humor during "I Fought the Law". Producer Alan Shacklock, under the direction of I.R.S. Records, was tasked with transforming it into a hit, which controversially led to the inclusion of a trumpet section to the band's chagrin, yet this element remained at the insistence of the label and management.

4. A Fortuitous Break

Johnny Rotten, although unwittingly, played a role in projecting The Alarm to a larger stage. A chance opportunity to replace Public Image, Ltd on 'Top of the Pops' due to a scheduling conflict launched The Alarm into the British television spotlight. An embellished tale of their rush to the studio added to their growing legend.

5. An Unplanned Farewell

The 1980s saw The Alarm evolve with various producers, chasing a sound they could claim as solely their own. Amidst dwindling record sales but with a satisfaction in their self-produced tunes, the band toured for their album 'Raw'. On what was the final show of the tour, Peters unexpectedly announced his departure from the band, a decision that took both fans and fellow bandmates by surprise. Whilst the original lineup briefly reconnected in 2003 for a show, Peters has since carried on the legacy under The Alarm moniker, with Sharp pursuing his musical endeavors separately.

anthems, punk, freedom