This was The Adverts' 1978 début album, which featured the UK hit single “No Time To Be 21” which made number 38 in the hit parade in February 1978. It was recorded at Abbey Road and produced by John Leckie. Their first gig was to support Generation X, on January 15, 1977 at The Roxy in London; their last was at Slough College on October 27, 1979. When the Adverts finally split up, T.V. Smith continued with Tim Cross forming as TV Smith's Explorers, then Cheap, and finally through the 1990s to date performing as a solo artist.
Despite having released some more well-regarded singles, the Adverts were not able to maintain the momentum and their career stalled after the release of their second album. The band members at the time were also threatened with lawsuits by former members Rod Latter and Howard Pickup, who objected to the band continuing to use the Adverts name without them. They split up shortly after the accidental death by electrocution of their manager, Michael Dempsey. Their last gig was at Slough College on 27 October 1979. After the band split up, T.V. Smith continued with Tim Cross as T.V. Smith's Explorers, then Cheap, and finally from the 1990s to date performing as a solo artist.
The Adverts’ guitarist Howard Pickup (Howard Boak, Born 1951) died in 1997 of a brain tumor.
In regards to their legacy, critic and author Dave Thompson argues that "nobody would make music like the Adverts and nobody ever has. In terms of lyric, delivery, commitment and courage, they were, and they remain, the finest British group of the late 1970s". This one illustrates the historical transition between punk and post punk in my opinion.
Tracklisting:
- One Chord Wonders
- Bored Teenagers
- New Church
- On The Roof
- New Boys
- Bombsite Boy
- No Time To Be 21
- Safety In Numbers
- Drowning Men
- On Wheels
- Great British Mistake
