V2

V2 were a punk band formed in Manchester in late 1976 by David Wilks and Mark Standley. Both were regulars at Bowie/Roxy clubs in Manchester, and became aware of punk rock when Dave Went to see the Sex Pistols in Manchester. This seminal gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, at which the Pistols were supported by Manchester bands Slaughter & The Dogs and the Buzzcocks, inspired the next generation of bands to come out of Manchester, the Drones, Joy Division, the Fall, and V2. 
V2 brought their Glam Rock past to the band, and quickly became a popular live act with over the top shows, explosions, smashing up their equipment, and bassist Stan the Man attacking audiences with his cricket bat guitar when they spat at him once to often.
Their first EP, released on Bent records, (small bent one) was released in late 77, and quickly sold out 3 pressings. It featured 3 songs, Speedfreak, Nothing to do and That's it. It went into the alternative top ten on each release.
Their second single, on TJM records (TJM1) was released on 18th January 1979 and eventually sold around 30,000 reaching no 1 in the alternative chart. It featured 2 songs, 'Man in the Box' and 'When the World isn't there'. Although initially very successful, the group fell into disarray due to inexperience, lack of money, drink and dubious substances, and in early 1980 they all went their own ways. 
==Links to Peel==
Peel played the band's debut self titled single, 'V2' in 1978 and would play further material from the group until the early 80's. In 1996, he revisited the group's material, when he played 'Man In the Box' after the band released a compilation of their work called, 'V2' on the Overground Records label.
==Shows Played==
;thumb|220x220px1978
*17 February 1978: That's It (7" - V2) Bent
*23 November 1978: Man In The Box (12") TJM
;1979
*17 January 1979: Man In The Box (12”) TJM
*13 February 1979: Man In The Box (Single) TJM
*06 March 1979: Man In the Box (12") TJM
*05 April 1979: That's It (7") Bent
;1980
*08 March 1980 (BFBS): Man In The Box (12") TJM 
;1981
*08 March 1981 (BFBS): Man In The Box (12") TJM
;1983
*23 January 1983 (BFBS): Man In The Box (12") TJM
;1984
*28 July 1984 (BFBS): When The World Isn't There (12" - Man In The Box) TJM 
;1996
*10 August 1996: Man In The Box (album - V2) Overground 
*10 August 1996 (BFBS): 'Man In The Box (CD-V2)' (Overground)
==External Links==
*Discogs
*Bandcamp
Category:Artists