The Nipple Erectors

The more I listen to The Nipple Erectors the more I love them though you never know what version you are going to get. Formed by the gorgeous Shanne and Shane towards the latter days of The Roxy. Shanne (later called Dragonella to avoid confusion with Shane !) was originally taught bass by Captain Sensible and played in a band called The Launderettes. She again was involved with the punk scene from the very start with the Pistols and Damned. It was she that came up with the name Nipple Erectors for the band (see interview as to why). The toothy challenged Shane McGowan writer of 'Bondage' fanzine was a well known face on the scene and indeed appeared on the front cover of Sounds with the caption 'The Face of 76. He's also there in Don Letts' 'Punk Movie' in the union jack blazer pogoing and bashing on the Jams drum kit.



Both were original Pistols fans but managed to come up with something completely different. They had their problems though; fluid personnel, constantly changing style as per 4 singles, limited reaction on Chiswick who couldn't afford to promote heavily and last, but not least, their very name which they reluctantly changed. They sort of occurred as punk was changing so they had to change to avoid being dated and they toured with a wide variety of acts from The Dammed to mod acts like The Purple Hearts to Dexy's Midnight Runners ! They played everywhere (played the Roxy a couple of times on audition night) and with everyone.



Numerous people passed through their ranks; Grinny from Screwdriver ( he just disappeared !!), Phil Rowland from Eater, Gerry McIlduff - original drummer with the Pretenders and Mark Harrison from the Bernie Torme Band. Paul Weller of the Jam was a big fan and produced the last single Happy Song. Between them Shanne and Shane appeared to argue and constantly disagree but hell so what. So what was the music like then Early stuff like Nervous Wreck, Stavordale Road and So Pissed Off are your classic 2nd division punk and should be in everyone's collection. All The Time In The World is souped up R&B. Later tunes like Gabrielle and Happy Song go more poppy . Eventually it all just fizzled out. Shanne would go onto greater glory with The Men They Couldn't Hang while for Shane the dizzy heights of The Pogues and alcohol abuse! God bless them both.