Draft:SpeedPussy
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Speedpussy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Teesside, England |
| Genres | Electronic rock, punk rock, psychedelic rock |
| Years active | Late 1990s–2000s |
| Labels | BBN Music |
| Past members | Anthony Kemp, Kristian Davies, Matthew Anderson, Jonathan "Owsty" Owst, Sean Russell, Daniel Gibson |
Speedpussy were an English rock band formed in Teesside in the late 1990s by Anthony Kemp (formerly of The Dawn) and Kristian Davies (formerly of Velcro). Known for blending electronic psychedelia with punk guitars, programmed keyboards and percussion, and live drums, the band cultivated a devoted cult following. They released two albums during their active years and a posthumous album compiled from Kemp’s demo recordings after his death in 2006.
> Not to be confused with the American band SpeedPvssy.
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History
[edit]Formation and early years
[edit]Speedpussy was founded by vocalist/keyboardist Anthony Kemp and bassist Kristian Davies, who aimed to create music distinct from commercial and indie trends, with Kemp stating they "strive to be different."[1] Guitarist Matthew Anderson joined to complete the original lineup, and drummer Jonathan "Owsty" Owst participated briefly before leaving after the debut gig.[2]
The band’s first performance took place at The Cornerhouse on **Tuesday, 21 March 2000**, supporting JJ72 and Modern Works.[3] Robert Nichols in the *Evening Gazette* (24 March 2000, Sounds section) described the band as “comparable to Iggy Pop and The Birthday Party,” praising Kemp’s vocal delivery while noting their provocative name.[4] Nichols also commented on the vocals: **“Kemp’s vocal style is similar to Iggy Pop’s, being sometimes shouted, sometimes sung, and always delivered with attitude.”**[5]
The debut generated friction with other local bands who disapproved of Speedpussy’s attitude and refusal to perform at smaller venues, though promoters continued to book them, trusting Kemp and Davies’ reputations from previous projects. **In a December 2000 interview, the band addressed this criticism directly, stating they "didn't care" about the disapproval of other local acts.**[6] The band's emerging reputation led to an article in the **April 2000** issue of *Keep It Live* magazine, calling them **"the most exciting band in Teesside."**[7]
Line-up changes and later projects
[edit]After their first gig, Owst left, and the band relied on a combination of pre-programmed drums and keyboards, supplemented by live instrumentation. **Reviewer Rob Nichols noted that the programmed drums and keyboards gave the band a "sharp edge."**[8]
Anderson departed in April 2001; his last performance was previewed by Matthew Pardo in the *Gazette* on **20 April 2001**.[9] News of Anderson's departure had been reported earlier in the *Gazette* on **13 April 2001**.[10]
Sean Russell replaced Anderson on guitar, and Daniel Gibson, a former Velcro bandmate of Davies, joined on live drums. The new lineup's first advertised gig was at the Cornerhouse on **29 August 2001**.[11] **A *Gazette* promotion on 24 August 2001 for the new lineup noted that the previous "buzz" surrounding the band had somewhat subsided.**[12] The band was also promoted for a Purple Onion gig on 3 October 2001.[13]
After diverging creative directions and Kemp’s repeated absences for psychiatric care, Speedpussy dissolved. Kemp continued performing with Russell and Gibson under the name Noise 4, which retained elements of Speedpussy’s style but did not achieve the same recognition. Russell eventually departed, marking the end of Noise 4.
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A Voice Silenced
[edit]
Kemp died by suicide at Saltburn Cliffs in 2006,[14] leaving behind demo recordings. Kristian Davies later restored and completed these tapes, employing AI-assisted processing on some tracks, resulting in the posthumous album The Missing Line (25 October 2025), with additional guitar overdubs and final mixing by Kie Davies.
Live performances
[edit]Speedpussy were known for unpredictable live shows. Kemp’s stage presence could be volatile; at one gig he removed his top, beat his chest, and then reassured the audience: “I’m not the Antichrist.”[15] **The *Gazette*'s preview for the 30 March 2001 show in Hartlepool described the group as "a band whose stage show is something else."**[16]
In another performance, a rival local band hurled abuse between songs, prompting Kemp to respond directly on stage.[17]
The band regularly opened sets with New York, featuring the line “New York Is The Best Place To Die.” After 9/11, they considered removing the song but retained it, viewing it as an authentic part of their set rather than a provocation.
At the Live in Hartlepool concert (30 March 2001), an improvised encore—omitted from the official recording—featured Owst joining Anderson, Davies, and Kemp to perform Nicotine Love.[18]
Promotional style
[edit]Flyers frequently featured sexual imagery, sometimes censored with phrases like “Free Entry,” **such as the poster for the Purple Onion gig on 29 May 2000**.[19] The band distributed small packets of “Speed” (glucose powder) wrapped in adult magazine pages. These stunts contributed to their cult following and reinforced their provocative image.[20]
Musical style and lyrical themes
[edit]The band fused electronic psychedelia with punk rock, supported by pre-programmed keyboards and percussion alongside live drums.
Lyrically, Speedpussy explored sexuality, substance use, spirituality, and religion.
- Sexforce referenced the biblical “land of milk and honey” (Exodus) metaphorically, juxtaposing religious symbolism with themes of desire and excess.
- Colours of Our Death included the lyric “I crush my grain of mustard,” alluding to the biblical parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31–32), symbolizing faith, growth, and potential.[21]
Other songs, such as Let's Get Canned, focused on cannabis culture and working-class life. The band drew comparisons to **The Birthday Party**[22] and was explicitly compared to **The Velvet Underground** and **The Doors** in promotional material.[23]
Cult following and legacy
[edit]Speedpussy cultivated a devoted local following. Rivalries with other Teesside bands were documented in interviews and reviews but largely portrayed as part of a competitive scene. They headlined Cornercopia, a 12-hour bank holiday festival, on **27 December 2000**.[24] **The *Gazette* preview on 8 December 2000 advertised the full band list, noting Speedpussy as the headliner.**[25] The Cornercopia preview article in the *Gazette* on **15 December 2000** described them as **“the most fascinating, exciting and wonderfully chaotic band on Teesside.”**[26]
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Band members
[edit]| Member | Role | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Kemp | Vocals, keyboards, synths, drum programming | Late 1990s–2000s |
| Kristian Davies | Bass, arrangements | Late 1990s–2000s |
| Matthew Anderson | Guitar | Late 1990s–April 2001 |
| Jonathan "Owsty" Owst | Drums | Briefly 2000 |
| Sean Russell | Guitar | Early 2000s |
| Daniel Gibson | Live drums | Early 2000s |
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Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Speedpussy (2002)
[edit]Released: 29 June 2002, BBN Music A compilation combining recordings from both the original lineup and the later configuration after Anderson’s departure.
| # | Title | Line-up / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Drive It Harder" | Original line-up |
| 2 | "Let's Get Canned" | Original line-up |
| 3 | "Fascination As An Individual" | Original line-up |
| 4 | "Tired of the Dance" | Original line-up |
| 5 | "Sexforce" | Original line-up |
| 6 | "320" | Second line-up |
| 7 | "Where the Future Is" | Second line-up |
| 8 | "Colours of Our Death" | Second line-up |
| 9 | "Precious Stone" | Solo recording by Kemp |
Live in Hartlepool (2001)
[edit]Released: 13 October 2001, BBN Music
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | "New York" |
| 2 | "Drive It Harder" |
| 3 | "Where the Future Is" |
| 4 | "I Want to Be Nothing" |
| 5 | "Wish" |
| 6 | "I Don't Want to Know" |
| 7 | "Let's Get Canned" |
| 8 | "Tired of the Dance" |
| 9 | "Schizo Id" |
| 10 | "Sexforce" |
- Note: The recorded release omits an improvised encore performance of "Nicotine Love" with Owst.*
The Missing Line (2025)
[edit]Released: 25 October 2025, BBN Music Posthumous album compiled and restored by Kristian Davies from Kemp’s demo tapes. Some tracks were enhanced with AI-assisted audio restoration, and Kie Davies contributed additional guitars and final mixing.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | "Armstrong" |
| 2 | "Impossible to Tell" |
| 3 | "Tell Me Something" |
| 4 | "I Was Never There" |
| 5 | "Give Me Release" |
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References
[edit]- ^ "Gig Advert / Speedpussy at Middlesbrough Town Hall". Evening Gazette. 13 October 2000. p. 4.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Rob (5 May 2000). "Review / Drummer leaving after first gig". Evening Gazette. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Speedpussy first gig flyer and poster". Promotional Material. 21 March 2000.
- ^ Nichols, Robert (24 March 2000). "Review / Speedpussy first gig". Evening Gazette. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Robert (24 March 2000). "Review / Speedpussy first gig". Evening Gazette. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Rob (15 December 2000). "Interview with Speedpussy". Evening Gazette. p. 1.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Article on Upcoming Gig". Keep It Live Magazine. April 2000.
- ^ Nichols, Rob (5 May 2000). "Review / Drummer leaving after first gig". Evening Gazette. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Pardo, Matthew (20 April 2001). "Gig Preview / Anderson's last show". Evening Gazette. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Pardo, Matthew (13 April 2001). "Band News / Anderson leaving". Evening Gazette. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Speedpussy gig poster and flyers / new lineup". Promotional Material. 29 August 2001.
- ^ "Gig Promotion / New Lineup at Cornerhouse". Evening Gazette. 24 August 2001. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Gig Promotion / Purple Onion". Evening Gazette. 28 September 2001. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Open verdict recorded for man who died at Saltburn Cliffs". Teesside Gazette. 15 March 2010. p. 5.
- ^ "Speedpussy gig flyer / Purple Onion". Promotional Material. 6 December 2000.
- ^ "Gig Preview / Hartlepool show". Evening Gazette. 30 March 2001. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Robert (15 December 2000). "Review of Arena Gig / Shouting Match". Evening Gazette. p. 2.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Speedpussy gig flyer / Hartlepool". Promotional Material. 30 March 2001.
- ^ "Speedpussy promotional material / Flyers & Posters". Promotional Material. 2000–2001.
- ^ "Speedpussy promotional material / Flyers & Posters". Promotional Material. 2000–2001.
- ^ Speedpussy (Media notes). BBN Music. 2002.
{{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter|bandname=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Robert (24 March 2000). "Review / Speedpussy first gig". Evening Gazette. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Gig Advert / Speedpussy at Middlesbrough Town Hall". Evening Gazette. 13 October 2000. p. 4.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Cornercopia Poster and Flyers". Promotional Material. 27 December 2000.
- ^ "Cornercopia Band List / Headliners". Evening Gazette. 8 December 2000. p. 3.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ Nichols, Robert (15 December 2000). "Cornercopia Preview". Evening Gazette. p. 1.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help)
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External links
[edit]- Official Spotify page
- Available on major streaming platforms and digital distributors
Category:English rock music groups Category:Musical groups from Teesside Category:Musical groups established in the 1990s Category:Musical groups disestablished in the 2000s