Meet the Dead Beats: The Rotten Core of Esprit de Corpse
Meet the magnificent misfits behind Esprit de Corpse — a ragtag crew of noise-makers, hair-gel abusers, and teenage dreamers with more attitude than rehearsal time. They didn’t just play punk… they lived it, loudly and occasionally in tune.
Steve aka “The General” – Vocals
The voice of the apocalypse, Steve screamed, snarled and occasionally sang his way through every incarnation of Esprit de Corpse. Known for lyrics that sounded like a cross between political manifestos and horror movie scripts, he once rewrote Walk of Death three times just to get the right balance of doom and danceability. Equal parts frontman and front menace.
Gary – Rhythm Guitar
Steady-handed and stone-faced, Gary laid down the rhythm like a metronome on a mission. While other band members were smashing gear or hospitalising themselves, Gary was holding the set together with quiet concentration. His riffs on songs like Party Games and To Know the Unknown became crowd favourites. The human anchor of chaos.
Luke aka “Puke” – Lead Guitar (1981–82)
The band’s founder and original guitar hero, Luke had the audacity to form Esprit de Corpse by simply declaring it so. Known for his wild solos and uncanny knack for feedback, he helped define the early sound before leaving post-Lindfield riot (no connection, probably). His departure was dramatic, but his contribution undeniable.
Dave – Bass Guitar
That’s me. Basslines you could trip over in the dark. I kept things low, loud, and lurking beneath the carnage. Whether it was powering through P.N.E.U. or holding it together during a half-drunken party gig, I was the one with four strings, an occasional snarl, and a deep suspicion of authority. I also wrote all this, so I get to be the cool one.
Paul – Drums (1982–83)
The original timekeeper, Paul brought a unique style to the drums that powered Holocaust with unstoppable energy. When he was locked in, he drove the band like a tank through suburbia. He got us through the early days with style (and a bit of creative unpredictability).
Andy aka “Lippy” – Guest Drummer
The honorary corpse. Lippy stepped in when needed — usually when someone else had vanished, combusted, or passed out. Always dependable, always drumming like he meant it, he played with us at the Hassocks party, multiple Electric Evenings, and more. Now a key player in Blue Vein, but forever a part of our messy lineage.
Mark aka “Biff” – Drums (1983–85)
When Biff joined, the beat got tight, mean, and unrelenting. No nonsense, no missed practices, and definitely no drama — he was everything the band needed post-Paul. His drumming at the Golden Eagle and Oakmeads gigs gave Esprit de Corpse its spine. The heavy-hitter behind our best shows.
Andy aka “Chops” – Rhythm Guitar (1983–84)
Brought in alongside Biff, Chops was rhythm with muscle. Where Gary was precise, Chops was instinctive — thrashing through Desensitized like it owed him money. He gave our later songs a grittier edge and actually remembered his parts, which was impressive by our standards.
“Boney” – Guest Keyboardist/Bassist
Nobody really knows where Boney came from — he just sort of appeared, like a synth-wielding ghost. Added atmospheric weirdness to Walk of Death and Dance of Consecration, and even part of the dual bass attack on Killing on a Sunday. Punk? Maybe. Useful? Definitely. Mysterious? Always.
Dave The Punk 