A truly neglected classic, 999's eponymous debut album
was issued in March, 1978, on the back of three stunning 45s; the romping
"I'm Alive," the anthemic "Nasty Nasty," and the oddly
ambitious "Me and My Desire." The first and last of these appeared on
the album, together with the summer smash that never was, June, 1978's,
"Emergency," and it is with these tracks as its benchmarks that 999
should be judged. A ferocious live band, the group harnessed every iota of
their stage performance for the studio, turning in an album that zips past at
the speed of light, in a blur of chant-worthy choruses and pogo-able riffs;
even better, three bonus tracks round up the absent "Nasty Nasty" 45,
plus a pair of period B-sides, to deliver a picture perfect portrait of 999's
first year. There would, of course, be many more to come.
999 were founded in London by singer and guitarist Nick
Cash, and Guy Days. Cash and Days met each other when the former was a member
of the pub rock band Kilburn and the High-Roads, and the latter was a session
guitarist who played on some of the band's demo tapes. In late 1976, they
placed an advertisement in Melody Maker for band members and ended up turning
down Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Jon Moss (Culture Club) and Tony James
(Generation X).
The band soon established themselves as a powerful live
act on London's punk scene and became regulars at the Hope and Anchor,
Islington. On the strength of their well received, self-financed debut single,
999 were signed to United Artists Records around the same time as Buzzcocks.
"I'm Alive" became a firm favourite in the punk clubs. The band's
second single, "Nasty Nasty", was cited nearly 20 years after its release
as a seminal punk single.
Their self-titled debut album, produced by Andy Arthurs,
was released in March 1978. One retrospective review claimed it
"demonstrated their limitations as well as their strengths. The 45 cuts
like "Me And My Desire" and "Emergency" demonstrated the
latter, but the album lacked that special ingredient, uniqueness or originality
to make it stand out from the crowd." The album reached No. 53 in the
UK Albums Chart. The following year, the song "Emergency" from the
album appeared (alongside songs by bands like The Jam and The Stranglers) on
the punk compilation 20 of Another Kind. That album reached No. 45 in the
UK chart. Years later, "Emergency" was included in Mojo magazine's
list of the best punk rock singles of all time.
