For a band with such an unmistakable identity, Punishment of Luxury remains something of an underground treasure. Born out of the North East’s late-70s punk and post-punk scene, they were never quite part of the mainstream punk explosion, nor did they slot neatly into the new wave movement that followed. Instead, Punilux carved out a unique, theatrical, and often surreal space of their own—combining angular, spiky guitars with performance art, dystopian themes, and a real sense of the absurd.
From the Georgian Theatre website: “From a background working in experimental music and English fringe theatre groups, Punishment Of Luxury formed in December of 1976, in Gateshead. Taking their name from a postcard sent to Nev from Rob Meek of a painting by Giovanni Segantini, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
Brian met Nev when he visited him at the locally famous Walker Terrace, Gateshead and the band was formed; Nevilluxury (Neville Atkinson – guitar, vocals), Brian Bond (Brian Rapkin -vocals and keyboard (move (James Mario Davis -bass guitar, vocals), “Liquid” Les ( Les Denham-drums) and then Red Helmet (Mick Emerson- guitar, vocals).….
…… The band recorded their debut single, “Puppet Life” and this was released on the Small Wonder label in July 1978. In 1979 they signed to United Artists and released the singles “Jellyfish ” and “Brain Bomb”, and then the album, Laughing Academy, in the summer of 1979.” In the same year I saw them play at the Reading Festival on the opening (Friday) night after The Cure (who were playing low down on the bill) and before Motorhead, the Tourists and The Police who headlined that night. That was the year in which punk rock finally arrived at Reading.
Cazimi from Sunderland and Bones Park Rider from Sheffield were the support bands. I managed to catch the two of them, watching them from a lovely vantage point on the balcony which has plenty of room for wheelchair access. They were both great support acts and warmed the crowd up well for the crazy theatrics which was to follow. From their official site: “From Sunderland and Newcastle, Cazimi are a trio of post-punk misfits that play in-between music. They have been described as “Not so much the illegitimate sons, but the genetically engineered progeny of luminaries such as Magazine, The Bunnymen, The Stranglers, Hawkwind, Killing Joke, John Barry and Erik Satie”. Bullshit? Maybe.”
From their official site: “BONES PARK RIDER are widely regarded as one of the most exciting and proficient bands to emerge from Sheffield’s thriving underground music scene. Known for their fiercely energetic stage show and intelligent, skin-tight, textured songs, the seasoned four-piece conjure a rare and varied brand of alternative, high-octane rock n roll. BPR formed in 2009 with a mission to encapsulate the vibrancy and immediacy of ’78(ish) era alternative guitar bands. A myriad of influences and original thinking has set them apart, and the band has made a name for itself through its blistering stage show and run of very well received records.”
From the moment they took to the stage, it was clear that Punishment of Luxury still has that same edge. Neville Luxury, ever the theatrical frontman, delivered each song with an intensity that blurred the line between performance and provocation. The staccato rhythms, jerky movements, and surreal, almost nightmarish delivery were all still intact, giving the night a strange, otherworldly atmosphere. Although there were no costumes this time, the strange arm movements were the same as back in the late 1970s.
Hearing “Puppet Life” live was a reminder of just how ahead of its time it was. Released in 1978, it became a cult classic, picked up by John Peel, and still sounds as urgent and experimental today as it did then. Funk-meets-punk basslines, mechanical guitar lines, and absurdist lyrics … it could have been made yesterday, yet it still retains the raw, DIY spirit of the late ’70s.
Highlights included “Brain Bomb”, which brought chanted, robotic vocals over an almost Kraftwerk-esque rhythm. “Jellyfish”, with its twisting, unpredictable shifts, was another standout moment, like a punk band fronted by a dystopian theatre troupe although, somewhat disappointingly, the band did not have the strange theatrical set-up and presentation that I’d seen in the past.
I first saw Punishment of Luxury back in 1978, when they were still an emerging force in the local scene. That year alone, I caught them a few times, including a packed gig at Newcastle University Canteen and a support slot for Penetration at Newcastle City Hall. Even then, they stood apart from other punk and post-punk acts—their theatrical background gave their live shows an almost unsettling, performance-art feel, something completely different from the raw aggression of other punk bands of the time. I’m sure I remember them performing entirely concealed by a curtain, just silhouettes visible.
Their blend of art-rock, jagged rhythms, and absurdist storytelling was truly distinctive. While many of their contemporaries leaned into the political or nihilistic, Punilux embraced the bizarre and unsettling—making them one of the most unique bands to emerge from the Northeast in the punk era.
Whilst I’d have loved to see the theatrical performances of the past, silhouettes, and all, I was pleased to get a chance to catch this band again. it was clear that they remain one of the most fascinating, unconventional bands to emerge from the Northeast. Their legacy might be cult, but it’s one that has endured for decades—and on nights like this, it’s easy to see why. For those of us who were lucky enough to see them in their prime, it was a brilliant flashback. For those experiencing them for the first time, it was a reminder of how uniquely different and special they were. The final image is from the Georgian Theatre website. Many thanks to Jackie for taking the photographs and to Chris and Laura for preparing the entry.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by bloke2012 on March 10, 2025 at 12:59 pm
I saw them at Reading 79 too, getting hit on the head by (ironically) a half full can of Newcastle Brown during their set!! Motorhead were on the bill on the Friday but they were on before the Tourists, The Police headlined that night!
Posted by vintagerock on March 10, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Your memory is better than mine. I will correct the entry. Many thanks Peter
Posted by treetopflier2009 on March 11, 2025 at 12:30 pm
I was at Reading as well in 1979 and saw Punilux! The music wasn’t up my street but the fact they were from up here had us clapping and cheering! In a strange connection, a couple of years later I was in the market for a Marshall cab and as you did in those days answered an ad in the Evening Chronicle. I ended up going to a dodgy flat in the west end of Newcastle which turned out to be the home of one Neville Luxury! He told me the cab in question had in fact been used on stage for his keyboards at Reading! It was a bit battered but sounded great! All these years later I still have it. It has been gigged hundreds and hundreds of times and is still going strong! I use a pic of it as the header of my blog!
Posted by vintagerock on March 11, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Your story of the Marshall stack brings back memories Pete. I used to have exactly the same set up in my bedroom. When I played it up full volume my mum would go crazy!
Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on March 24, 2025 at 5:46 pm
I don’t know this band, but what a name!
Posted by vintagerock on March 24, 2025 at 6:20 pm
And they are pretty good fun too Ciaran