999 burst through the eye of the storm that was 1976-77. Loud and brash, they demanded to be heard. Armed with a cluster of vibrant and challenging songs, they quickly established themselves on the burgeoning live circuit, securing a committed following and a management deal in the process.
Entering the studio in July 1977 they recorded their first single, "I'm Alive/Quite Disappointing", an auslicious debut which captured the very essence of the era. Released the following month, all 10,000 copies of the single (on Labritain Records) sold out within weeks.
Intense record company interest followed and 999 signed to United Artists Records. Their first single for their new label was "Nasty Nasty", a scathing attack on mindless violence.
A truly distinctive style continued to eveolve, with the release in January 1978 of "Emergency". An exceptional song by any standards, it was joined by material of the same quality when their eponymous debut album "999" was released. The album's opening track and subsequent single "Me and My Desire" displayed a more measured approach and delivery than that which had been used previously and added a new intensity to their music.
The eagerly awaited second album was preceded by the release as a single of one of it's featured tracks, "Feelin' Alright with the Crew", a sparse almost spartan rhythmical arrangement complemented by a unique vocal inflection. Released in September 1978, "Separates" was followed two months later by "Homicide", a song of anthem-like proportions which was in keeping with the powerful sound prevalent on the LP.
Veterans of several UK and European tours, 999 embarked on their first tour of the USA and Canada in March 1979. It was to be the first of many visits and coast to coast tours. The short lived Radar Records released as a single the buoyant "Found Out Too Late" in October 1979. It featured Ed Case deputising on drums for the injured Pablo Labritain.
In January 1980 Polydor Records released the album "The Biggest Prize in Sport." The melodramatic single "Trouble" was released simultaneously. "Boys in the Gang", which echoed the tradition of esprit de corps established by "Feelin' Alright with the Crew", was scheduled for release as a single but failed to materialise.
Released in April 1981, "Obsessed", a dance-based fusion of rhythm and melody heralded the arrival of "Concrete", an assured assemblage of songs displaying 999's inherent energy and diversity to their fullest advantage.
The second single to be issued from "Concrete" was "Lil' Red Riding Hood". Although a cover version, this tale of encitement is relayed in 999's own inimitable style. The following single "Indian Reservation" was also a cover version, this time conveying an impassioned and embittered account of the erosion of the American Indians culture.
999's virtual inactivity in 1982 resulted in only one vinyl offering being released. But what was lacking in quantity was more than compensated for in quality with the single "Wild Sun" being both innovative and exciting. The eclectic nature of "Thirteenth Floor Madness" promised to provide a collage of styles and textures. Unfortunately, more was promised than delivered. The album's production failed to promote the integral qualitites of several songs whilst becoming over-involved in others. There are songs present however, such as the spirited "Arabesque" which manage to assert themselves and provide the LP's more memorable moments. The title track of the LP was issued as a single simultaneously in October 1983.
With "Face to Face", 999 present an album on which familiar themes are advanced and new facets developed as, like it's predecessors, it explores rather than consolidates.
Thought-provoking and compelling from the very outset, "Hallelujah" sets a standard which is maintained throughout. A renewed sense of purpose and direction are evident and an unassuming production ensures that the songs are rendered as they were envisaged.
"Face to Face" is an inspired and inspiring album which sees 999 acknowledging the past and reaching for the future.