Post-Punk / Industrial
Herne Bay, Kent
1986 - 1992?
Band Members[]
PLAYGROUND Mk I:
- Richard Johnson (Richo) (vocals)
- Andy Pearson (guitar)
- Paul "Fuzz" Wright (bass)
- Paul Dudeney (drums)
PLAYGROUND MK II:
- Andy Pearson (guitar)
- Patrick Murphy (bass)
Info[]
Playground was a cult Post-Punk band from Herne Bay. Musically based around primal drum rhythms, guitar noise and shouted vocals, the band comprised initially of Richo Johnson, Andy Pearson, Paul Wright and Paul Dudeney. With this initial line-up they released several demo and live tapes, as well as two 7”s (“Seeking The Truth” and “Conception Pay Off”) and a mini-LP (“Sleeping Dogs”).
In 1989 Richo, Paul Wright and Paul Dudeney left to form Splintered , which ventured off into more experimental and psychedelic territory. Andy P. carried on with the Playground name and formed a new version of the band (often referred to as Playground Mk II) in a slightly more Industrial vein, with former Epidemic bassist Patrick Murphy and a drum machine, releasing a CD album (“Resilience”).
Over the years some of the members were actively involved in various promotional ventures, including the legendary Alternative fanzines Grim Humour and Adverse Effect , plus the Fourth Dimension record label.
Related Bands[]
- Epidemic - Pat
- Splintered - Richard, Paul W., Paul D.
- Slugbait - Richard
- Husk - Richard
- A.S.P. - Richard
- Jesus Fix - Pat
- Theme - Richard
Recordings[]
as Playground Mk I:
- 1986 'So Sure In Love' demo (FD03)
- 1987 'Final' cassette (FD08)
- 1987-1989 'Guilty But Original' live cassette series (FD11)
- 1988 'Seeking The Truth' 7" (FDS18)
- 1988 'Sleeping Dogs' 12" MLP (DYL1)
- 1989 'Conception Payoff' 7" (DYS3)
- 1990 'Neither Slave Nor Master' cassette
as Playground Mk II:
- 1991 'Sure' 12" EP (DPROMS 3)
- 1991 'Resilience' CD (DPROMCD 5)
Gigs[]
Playground Mk. I[]
- 02/05/86 - Folkestone, Bottoms (supp. And Also The Trees)
- 30/06/86 - Whitstable, Harbour Lights
- 21/08/86 - Herne Bay, North Rooms (with Epidemic + Obliteration)
- 30/08/86 - London, Fulham Greyhound (supp. And Also The Trees)
- 05/09/86 - Folkestone, Bottoms (supp. The Veil, Epidemic + Venus)
- 13/09/86 - Luton, Switch Club
- 17/10/86 - Chelmsford, Chancellor Hall (supp. Nitzer Ebb)
- 08/12/86 - London, Kennington, Union Tavern (supp. The Shamen)
- 11/04/87 - Ashford, Stour Centre, Zeebrugge benefit (+ Brainbox + The Trees + ?)
- 25/04/87 - Canterbury, Keynes College UKC (supp. ATV)
- 18/08/87 - London
- 30/11/87 - Canterbury Uni "No More Censorship" (w/ Epidemic + Manifesto + Atavistic + Obliteration)
- 20/08/88 - Canterbury
- 23/10/88 - London
- 25/10/88 - Canterbury
- 24/11/88 - London, Sir George Robey (supp. Fugazi, with Sink + Exit Condition)
- 31/01/89 - Canterbury Art College, (supp. Godflesh)
- ??/02/89 - London, Fulham Greyhound (supp. Cerebral Fix + Mudhoney + HR)
- 24/03/89 - London
- 09/05/89 - Canterbury
- 22/05/89 - London
- ??/??/8? - London, Kentish Town (supp. ATV)
Playground Mk. II[]
- 04/05/92 - Whitstable, Assembly Rooms (supp. Fugazi)