Zounds

Zounds were an English punk rock band, formed in 1976 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. They were one of the first bands in the United Kingdom to be associated with the punk subculture.

The band was formed by bassist Steve "Spaz" Hampshire, guitarist Dave Tregunna, drummer Robert "Captain Sensible" Smith and vocalist Wyndham Rees. They took their name from a character in the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Zounds' early live performances were chaotic and often ended in violence. They were known for their aggressive sound and their confrontational lyrics, which often dealt with social and political issues. In 1977, the band released their debut single, "Can't Cheat Karma", which became a minor hit in the United Kingdom.

Zounds' second single, "Oh Shit", was released in 1978 and became a top 20 hit in the United Kingdom. The band's debut album, The Curse of Zounds, was released in the same year and reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Zounds continued to release albums and singles throughout the early 1980s, but their popularity began to decline as the punk subculture began to fragment. The band's final album, Goodbye Cruel World, was released in 1984.

After Zounds broke up, Hampshire and Tregunna went on to form the band Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Smith went on to have a successful solo career.

Zounds were one of the most important bands in the early British punk scene. Their music was raw and aggressive, and their lyrics were often political and confrontational. They were one of the first bands to bring punk rock to a mainstream audience.