The Drones embody the pure, unadulterated spirit of 1977 Manchester punk. Their sound is a frantic, high-speed collision of buzzsaw guitars and rhythmic urgency, delivered with a sneering vocal intensity that feels both localized and universal. It is music stripped of artifice, focusing on the raw power of the three-chord structure and the DIY ethos that defined the first wave of UK punk.
What sets them apart is their proximity to the inception of the scene and a certain blue-collar grit that feels distinctly Northern. While London bands were often more theatrical, The Drones maintained a grounded, almost utilitarian aggression. Their production is famously unpolished, capturing the clatter of drums and the hum of overdriven amps as if you were standing three feet from the stage in a cramped club.
Start with 'Further Temptations' to hear the band at their peak. It is a quintessential document of the era, featuring tracks like 'Just Want to Be Myself' that serve as a blueprint for the frustrated, high-energy output of the late 70s underground.
The Drones are an English punk rock band from Manchester, England. For a period of time, the band were in their early days produced and managed by Paul Morley. One critic wrote: "Bonafide DIY three-chord wonders, the Drones were there at punk's inception." The Drones were reformed at the beginning of 2016 by original members Gus & Wispa. Gus subsequently retired due to ill health, and the current line up is Steve (Wispa) Cundall on bass and vocals, Brian (Mad Muffet) Grantham on drums, and Al (Angus) Crosby on lead guitar.
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