(c’79-81) – Mark “Fes” Ferris (vocals), Paul “Puke” Firth (guitar), Richard “Rus” Rusling (bass) and John “J.J.” Jerrom (drums).
This punk 4-piece originated at Heron Wood Comprehensive in Aldershot in ’79. The then 16 year olds became a bit of a local cult band in early 1980, playing their songs about the boredom of living and growing up in Aldershot at gigs around Aldershot, Ash, Farnborough and Fleet area. “Scrap the Town Hall”, an anti proposed Rushmoor Council offices anthem, boosted their notoriety.
Farnborough Tech’s Rugby Union Football Club hosted the band, along with Lethal Dose, on 14 November ’80 after the cancellation of a gig at the same venue on 31 October due to licensing issues. On 21 January ’81 a punk gig was organized at Ash Vale’s Victoria Hall featuring Graffiti, Deadlock and The Crew. Live bands were not allowed at the 100 person capacity Hall; but punk being punk 300 tickets were sold and the venue was crammed. Using the other bands’ gear, The Crew were the first and only band to play that night, as the police arrived during their set and shut the show down.
Deadlock rented Fleet’s Youth and Community Centre for a gig on 10 March ’81. Seventeen days later the band were back at the Technical College, Farnborough, supporting The Human Beings.
They disbanded in 1981, a few home-made cassettes – including a 14-track demo you could pick up for a quid at the time – and grainy photos the only record of those days.
They have since reformed and now tour as Deadlock UK.
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