A to Z of N. Ireland Punk Bands - L

L - OX

In mid 1979, enthused by their shared love of Punk, some school friends decided to form a band. The semi-legendary L-OX were formed. In the years to come numerous personnel changes would blur the original line up beyond all recognition but the nucleus of Mark Wilson (vocals), John Gray (guitar), Peter Todd (bass), and Alan Davidson (drums) would remain stable but interchangeable over the next few years. One early effort Gee Harry would remain on their set list until the eventual demise of the band in the early 80’s.
Mark and Alan withdrew from this line up to be replaced by Ken Hosick (drums) and Maurice McKeown (vocals). Next to leave was John Gray, inexplicably sacked for reasons long forgotten. He kept the name and L-OX carried on. Paul Evans and Steven Bingham were recruited on bass and guitar, Peter Stevenson took over the mic. And they had a number of semi-regulars on the drum stool.
The Buzzcocks obsessed Gray proved to be an outstanding songwriter and musician and L-OX, who then became The Aerosols and then Final Stage, proved they could still cut it. A rip-roaring version of Streets Of London and Gray’s very entertaining attempts at the Theme From Captain Pugwash were highlights of their set. Stephen Mitchell replaced Stevenson for a time, until the inevitable split. Gray went on to front 80’s rockers Burning Kisses who enjoyed a moderate level of success.
The remains of the original L-OK wanted to take a more ‘rock’ direction. A disgusted McKeown left and joined Rathcoole band Control Zone. The eccentric Stephen Swailes joined on vocals and Traitor mk1 were up and running. They were however very short lived and quickly ground to a halt.
Personal dislikes, egotism and everything else soon set in. Woods left and was quickly rejoined by Mark Wilson (vocals) and Maurice McKeown (bass). They recruited Colin Kenny on drums and became Music For The Deaf (MFD). It soon became clear that MFD were a cut above the rest and this line up gained a large following in and around the Glengormley area. They produced a very tight and memorable set. They retained Gee Harry and had a catalogue of pure punk / pop classics such as Room To Manoeuvre, Blinkers and the excellent Maurice Doesn’t Like The Buzzcocks Anymore.
Fast forward to 2023 and we find original drummer Alan Davidson now playing guitar for London based punk band Damage UK. Alan takes up the story “In 1986 I came to London for work, life got in the way and punk got put to one side. For the past 30 years, I'd been going to see pub rock bands etc in and around London/West London where I live. Then about 10 years I started to go and see a few local punk bands, spurred on by the 40 year punk anniversary. I got to see a good few bands including Stiff Little Fingers, Brian James, The Vibrators, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Ed Tudor Pole, the Members etc.
I started getting the bug again, so to speak. I had been playing guitar for a long time and lock-down spurred me on to get something going again. In January of 2022 I auditioned and joined Damage UK.”

If you have any further information or photographs of this band, then please DO get in contact via spit77to82@aol.com