The Sound backstage in Nijmegen, Netherlands, April 24, 1984: (l–r)
Adrian Borland, Graham Bailey, Colvin “Max”
Mayers, Mike Dudley
Photo by ROY TEE
SEPTEMBER 29, 1977 was an auspicious date for the 19-year-old Adrian Borland. His band, The Outsiders, were supporting Radiators From Space at the Roxy – the infamous early London punk club which hosted some of the first shows by The Clash, X-Ray Spex and The Damned. For a joke, among the names Borland added to The Outsiders’ guest list that night were Iggy Pop and David Bowie: his musical heroes.
At the time, The Outsiders were being sort-of-managed by Jock McDonald, the colourful promoter and DJ who later fronted the Bollock Brothers. He told his young charges that not only was Iggy in town, he would be coming to the show later.