The Threats are a punk band from Dalkeith and Edinburgh, Scotland. Originally formed in 1979 as the Reflectors, the band soon renamed themselves Threats.
History The Threats formed in 1979 as the Reflectors.
By the early 1980s, many punk rock acts had begun to explore political issues. The Threats followed this trend, writing songs that addressed contemporary social issues. Their song Iron Maiden was directed at Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Afghanistan, which featured on the B-side of the Go to Hell single, was a response to the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
The name of the band is actually "Threats" although often with "The " preceding the name.
The Casualties covered the Threats track "Underground Army" on one of their 1998 album of the same name.
Line-ups The line-ups of the band over the years are as follows:
1st line-up
Jim Threat - Guitar Scott Mcleary - Vocals Gogsy Threat - Drums Joe Amos - bass
This line-up never recorded any material but did gig around Edinburgh in the late 1970s.
2nd line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Gogsy Threat - Guitar Joe Amos - Drums Ian Simpson - Bass Guitar
This Line up Recorded the Backlash compilation and features on the Demos and Rarities CD album.
3rd line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals Gogsy Threat - Guitar Tin - Bass Guitar Mick Amos - Drums
This Line up recorded the Go To Hell single and features on the Demos and Rarities CD album.
4th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals Gogsy Threat - Guitar Mick Amos - Drums Dylan - Bass Guitar
This line-up recorded the Politicians and Ministers 6 Track EP and features on the Demos and Rarities CD album.
5th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Craig Robertson - Drums Dave Threat - Bass Guitar
This line-up Recorded the Back In Hell 3 Track EP.
6th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Craig Robertson - Drums Dave Threat - Bass Guitar Gogsy Threat - Guitar Davie Metal - Drums
This line-up recorded the 6 Track Back in Hell EP.
7th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Dave Threat - Bass Guitar Gogsy Threat - Guitar Davie Metal - Drums
This line-up recorded the Twelve Punk Moves album and recorded the Live at CBGB's vinyl album.
8th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Dave Threat - Bass Guitar Gogsy Threat - Guitar Rick - Drums
This line-up recorded the God Is Not With Us Today album.
9th line-up
Gogsy Threat - Vocals and Guitar Bobe - Bass Guitar Rab - Guitar Rick - Drums
10th line-up
Gogsy Threat - Vocals and Guitar Chris - Bass Guitar Rab - Guitar Rick - Drums
11th line-up (current)
Gogsy Threat - Guitar Chris - Bass Guitar Rab - Guitar Rick - Drums Kev - Vocals
12th line-up
Jim Threat - Vocals and Guitar Dave Threat - Bass Guitar Gogsy Threat - Guitar Rick - Drums
Releases The early vinyl record releases were:- Backlash (Playlist Records). 1 Track on a multi sampler EP : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Simpson, Amos Go to Hell (Rondelet Records). 3 track 7" Single c/w Afghanistan and Wasted : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Tin, Amos Politicians and Ministers (Rondelet Records). 3 Track 7" single c/w Writing on the wall and Dead End Depression. : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Amos, Dylan Politicians and Ministers (Rondelet Records). 6 Track 12" single c/w Writing on the wall, Dead End Depression, Can't Stop Me, Underground Army, 1980's. : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Amos, Dylan Back in Hell 3 track vinyl on Intimidation records Members : Jim, Craigy, Dave Back in Hell 6 Track CD on Punknite Records : Members - Jim, Craigy, Dave, Gogsy, Metal 12 Punk Moves Dr. Strange Records 2003 : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Dave, Metal Live at CBGB's Dr Strange Records 2003 : Members - Jim, Gogsy, Dave, Metal Demos and Rarities Dr Strange Records 2003: Members - Jim, Gogsy, Simpson, Amos, Tin, Dylan God is not with Us Today Dr Strange Records 2007: Members - Jim, Gogsy, Dave, Rick Live at the Banshee Labyrinth BandCamp 2019: Members - Gogsy, Rick, Rab, Chris, Kev
References The Threats web site