400 Blows

400 Blows were a British industrial/post punk band founded in 1981 in Croydon, South London by Andrew Edward Beer in 1981 along with two friends, Alexander Fraser and Rob. Their debut single was released on their own Concrete Productions record label in 1982. In 1983 they were signed to the Illuminated label and subsequently released an album, "...if I kissed her I'd have to kill her first..." (a quote from serial killer Edmund Kemper to his sister, who was teasing him about wanting to kiss his teacher). In 1985 they released a single, "Movin'", described by Adrian Thrills in the New Musical Express as 'a spiked reworking of the 1976 Brass Construction dance classic'. It reached 54 in the UK Singles Chart. By this time the line up was Beer, Anthony Thorpe, and Lea, formerly the female half of the duo Tom Boy. Scott Fraser continues to be a leading light in the alternative/underground music movement. Thorpe went on to run the Language record label.
== Links to Peel ==
The band were quite often played by Peel and they did a session for his show in 1984. One of the members of 400 Blows, Andrew Edward Beer, collaborated with Peel in producing a sound collage, as a promotion for an art show entitled 'The Music Show', which took place in December 1983 at Thumb Gallery, 20/21 D'Arblay Street, London, W1V 3FN. The collaboration was called John Peel / AEB 400, the AEB being Andrew Edward Beer, and a single was released. 
== Sessions ==
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1.Recorded: 1984-02-08. Broadcast: 16 February 1984. Repeated: 10 April 1984
*Introduction / Conscience / For Jackie M / Still Beating That Devil
== Other Shows Played ==
;1982
*25 July 1982 (BFBS) Beat The Devil (7") Concrete Productions C.PROD.002
*15 September 1982 (BFBS): Beat The Devil (7") Concrete Productions C.PROD.002
;1983
*03 March 1983: Beat The Devil (7") Concrete Productions C.PROD.002
*06 March 1983 (BFBS): Beat The Devil (7") Concrete Productions C.PROD.002
*19 November 1983 (BFBS): The Return Of The Dog (12") Illuminated
*23 November 1983: Return Of The Dog (12") Illuminated
*05 December 1983: Return Of The Dog (7" - The Return Of The Dog) Illuminated
*thumb|330x330px13 December 1983: Return Of The Dog (12" - The Return Of The Dog) Illuminated
;1984
*23 January 1984: Declaration of Intent (12") Illuminated Ill 3012
*28 January 1984 (BFBS): Declaration of Intent (12") Illuminated Ill 3012
*06 February 1984 (BBC World Service): Declaration Of Intent (12") Illuminated
*17 April 1984: Radio Pressure (12" - Pressure) Illuminated
*09 September 1984 (BFBS): Groove Jumping (12") Illuminated ILL4812
*10 September 1984 (BBC World Service): Groove Jumping (12") Illuminated ILL4812 Not entirely clear if John played the LP or 12" but intros the next track as "another 12""
*16 September 1984 (BFBS): Groove Jumping (12") Illuminated ILL4812
*27 September 1984: Declaration Of Intent (album - '…If I Kissed Her I'd Have To Kill Her First…') Illuminated
;1989
*28 November 1989: The Return '89 (album - The New Lords On The Block) Concrete Productions
;Other
*U.K. Buzz: Medley From Crammed/Illuminated Records (collaboration with Zazou-Bikaye/CY1 and Tara Butler)
== External Links ==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists