Both bands impacted on the UK underground scene with their strident blues-fuelled post-punk, forming a homegrown assistant alongside the likes of THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, THE GUN CLUB and THE SCIENTISTS, recording numerous Peel Sessions and burning bright and fast.
Fronted by the charismatic Ian Lowery, formerly of Northeast punks THE WALL, Folk Devils were celebrated with a career overview - Beautiful Monsters (Singles & Demo Recordings 1984-86) - through Optic Nerve Recordings last year, accompanied by gigs in London and Preston, with singer Dave Hodgson of PARTING SHOTS in place of Lowery, who sadly died in 2001. The success of the release and gigs has galvanised the band into more action.
Says guitarist Kris Jozajtis: “Getting back together for live shows happened because of the release of Beautiful Monsters last September, and the collective need of the surviving Devils to mark that event by doing what we used to do best - playing the songs live. It certainly wasn't about nostalgia, although there was always a sense of unfinished business after we called it a day in the 80s. Of course, we wanted to honour the memory and singular talent of Ian. Much of what he wrote is even more resonant now, as many critics realize. Finding Dave Hodgson, who knew Lowery and has a real connection with the material, was crucial to making the reunion work. However, we also wanted to see if we could rekindle the fire which had characterized the sound of the band. I guess audiences can judge whether we've succeeded in that for themselves. But the fact that we're all investing time, energy and money in this project will tell you what we think.”
Watch a clip of Folk Devils in their mid-80s prime.
Fronted by singer, guitarist and songwriter Harry Stafford, in their initial run from '82 to '88, Inca Babies released four albums and six singles. Stafford convened a new line-up of the band in 2007 featuring GOLDBLADE drummer Rob Haynes and bassist Vince Hunt, formerly of A WITNESS. Since then they've toured Europe, Russia, America and India and releasing three albums, their most recent being The Stereo Plan in 2014.
Check out Inca Babies on German TV from 1986.
Catch both bands on the road at....
Fri July 14: Manchester @ The Whiskey Jar
Sat July 15: London @ The Shacklewell Arms *
Sun July 16: Northampton @ The Charles Bradlaugh *
Thu July 20: Leeds @ Brudenell Social Club
Fri July 21: Glasgow @ O2 ABC2
Sat July 22: Bethesda, N. Wales @ Neuadd Ogwen
*Also featuring Venus Fly Trap
Both bands hook up again alongside ETON CROP and YEAR OF BIRDS for a Peel Regenerated show at Middlesbrough's Westgarth Social Club on Sat Oct 28.
Folk Devils on Facebook
Inca Babies on Facebook