Liverpool: U

Ugsy – band, feat; Phil Mason & Peter Jackson both now with Odega. More info req’d.

Uh – acoustic version of Shallow Madness who performed 2 gigs in 1978

Ulterior Motive – band feat; Paul Brady (drms) later of Crawl, Chris Leckie (owner of Ad Lib Audio). More info req’d

Ulterior Motive – band (late 80s?), feat; Jonte Wilkins (drms) (ex Number 28, Young Lions), Sue Forshaw (voc), Keith (bass), Andrew Burgess (keys), Alan Cox (sax), Phil (gtr). May also have feat Dave King (bass) (later of Western Promise, Dancing in Exile). More info req’d

Ultimate Vision – Bootle band (1984-88), feat; Kev Musker (voc), Pete Riley (gtr, b.voc), Paul O’Brien (bass) (later Beyond All Means), Steve Bragg (drms), Pete Cummins (keys). Steve Bragg left after 2yrs, replaced by Wal Riley (ex-Transmission). Played regular gigs in and around L’pool area and wider. They also were finalists in the International Musician Magazine Battle Of The Bands comp, performing at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Unfortunately, they came 2nd to a London outfit, but gained a fan in Andy Summers of The Police! Shortly after, change of name to ‘The Cutters‘ and Pete Cummins left, then Kev Musker. Pete Riley took over lead vocals and for a short while Paul Reynolds (ex- A Flock Of Seagulls) and then Mick Cusato joined on rhythm guitar. Wal Riley then left in 1989 and was replaced by John Leggett (ex Cook Da Books) and then Carl Woodward (sessions, including Jennifer John). Had track Lonely Boy on ‘Twist & Samba’ comp LP (Oct86). Pete Riley said, ‘Our music is the stuff for 1987. It’s rock-pop and heavily guitar influenced, although we don’t have overall influences from other bands. We do our own swag.’ (L’pool Echo 24.04.87)

Ultra Magnus – old name for Novice Mathematic

Uncle Joe – Wirral band (c1987) involved with WASP collective. More info req’d

Uncle Oscar – student jazz-tinged pop band (1986-88) feat; Gerard Greaves (voc,gtr) (ex Chalwa) (a classics graduate who became local newspaper reporter), Phil Stone (bass) (ex Tin Gods), Mike Green (gtr) (ex Chalwa), Ninesh Edwards (drms). Reached their apogee with 1988 recording sessions (Mick Moss, prod.) and headlining at Covent Garden’s Rock Garden. Despite his prominent appearance on previous entry, Nick Loebner (also Higgsfield, Dead Mens Suits, Small Mercies) believed to be the one who stood in as bassist for one gig (Planet X, Liverpool, 1987) and whose perfomance was memorable chiefly for splitting his tight trousers climbing on to the stage and standing with his legs clamped together throughout.

Under Siege – Hardcore gigs run by Pek and Pete Cross. Dave Arnold (of Jailcell Recipes) says; ‘I didn’t know him that well, for instance, I couldn’t tell you his real name. I knew him through Robbie Reid, 154 Poulton Rd and going to his ‘Under Siege’ Punk/Hardcore gigs in Liverpool that he co-promoted with Pete Cross. He was an uncompromising character, 100% committed to the things that were important to him. He was the definition of a ‘Lifer’. Pek (and Pete C) did so, so much for the Liverpool Punk/Hardcore scene. They influenced the kids and kick-started a chain of events that still continues today. “Fear not death – For the hour of your doom is set – and none may escape it.” Rest In Peace, Pek (he died Oct 2010)

Under The Sun – Goth punk band from Wallasey (1983-85), feat; by Steve Kahn (Parsons) (bass,prog), Dave Harris (gtr), Julie Bond (keys), Sharon (voc). Core members Khan and Harris made debut at Dale Inn, Wallesey then played numerous gigs around Wirral, L’pool & beyond inc gigs at Planet X. The rest of the line-up was fluid & had at various times male or female vocals, live & drum machine percussion & keyboards which featured strongly in the final line-up with drums provided by several Roland DR machines. Supported New Model Army (Bierkeller, L’pool May84). Managed by & recorded 2 demos for Wirral label Skysaw Records. Rec unreleased LP at Station House Studios, New Brighton. Rhearsal room at Vulcan St. 1984-5. Rel single, “When The Bough Breaks” on own label ‘SoSad’ but financial pressure & the unstable line-up forced band to split shortly after.

The Unhealthy – band feat; Johnny Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (gtr,voc), Mazz (Marie) Matazz (bass), Steve Slaughter (drms). Used to feat Pete (bass) (now of After The Massacre). Rec demo Apr04, rel 2 cds, ‘Fuck That Shit’ (Sep03), ‘Skate Or Cry’ (summer04), split up summer05 (website)

Unit Q – Hoylake based punk band (1977-79) feat; Wayne Hudson (voc), Beaker (gtr), Stu Crosby (drms) and Robin ‘Haggis’ Harris (gtr). Played regularly across Wirral, often at The Hamilton in B’head with Abort The Attack (ATA) etc.Regulars at The Rakers in Hoylake. A live tape of a Hamilton show exists though the quality is appalling. Wayne Hudson lived in Hoylake and sadly died in 2022, Beaker disappeared to Berlin (rumour has), and Haggis lives in Toronto. Described as an excellent punk group in the traditional sense whose song highlight was CID Man. 

Unravel – Liverpool Straight Edge and hardcore band (c2026), feat; Leon (gtr). Formed with the intent of reviving the classic New Age Records sound reminiscent of outfits like Outspoken and Trial, the group emerged from the Merseyside scene in early 2026. They quickly established their presence with the release of their debut self-titled EP, ‘Unravel’, in March 2026, which featured tracks such as the titular Unravel, The Truth, and Force Of Will. The release was noted for its commitment to traditional vegan straight edge values and a raw, uncompromising sonic delivery. (bandcamp)

Unreasonable Footprints – synth-pop band (c2009), feat; Ade Hall (gtr,keys) and Iain Morton (voc, perc), who were both in 80s band Cyan

Unrest – punk band (split 1993). Longest lasting format was Andy Killian (drms), Marc McDermott (gtr), Baz Clarke (bass), Fat John (Collins) (voc) and Jackie Swanson (voc). Read ace biog

Up And Running – band (formed 1986) feat; Philip Franz Jones (ex Afraid of Mice) & Alex McKenchie (ex Modern Eon, Passage). Prev called Two’s A Crowd, changed name late 87 and rel 4 track demo ‘Sorry’ (TAC Recs Dec87). Fan, Graeme Jackson saw them sell out the Royal Court each year from 87-90. He also states, ‘They had what should have been a hit with Johnny & Marie but it was not representative of their music, there was an excellent version of country classic Ruby on the B-side. They did a classic love song “but badly sung” Beautiful View. Also a 7″ version of Stand By Me with half of Liverpool on it. Shame it never happened, they were a good crowd pleaser, it all petered out very sadly. I saw them a while later in an Irish bar doing the same standards but all the fire was gone. I loved ’em.’

Upsets – band, feat; Adrian Mitchell (gtr), Marc Vormawah (gtr) (later Personal Column), Sue James (bass) (ex Stopouts), John Jones (drms) (ex Stopouts). Had I Don’t Know Why on the Skeleton comp ‘A Trip To The Dentist’. Sue and Adrian went onto an early incarnation of Dead Or Alive.

Urban Strawberry Lunch – “USL means fresh funky beats, floor shakin’ bass, urban melodies. They beat the crap outta scrap and the funk outta junk. Yield to the hard hitting sound of the street”. The latest project of Ambrose Reynolds (ex Ded Byrds, Pink Industry) joined by Karl John (drms), Liz Carlise (voc), and Andy Escott and described as a textural audio project. Began in 1988 by Ambrose with long departed B F Tin as ‘an antidote to the problem of to make music on a very low budget. The answer?…make your own instruments!’ Have been described as ‘mesmeric, exciting and innovative’ The Guardian; ‘the world’s finest scrap metalists’ M’Chester Evening News. They have played all the major UK festivals, and across the globe. They have a multi media CD available (£5 plus £2.50 P&P) from the contact address. Urban Strawberry Lunch, PO Box 223, Liverpool, L69 8LR (website)

US Companion – Kirkby band (formed Jul84), feat; Lisa Barton (voc), Tony Barton (bass) (ex Lunjay Blue Armey, Bushfinder), Paul Beckett (voc) (ex That Volcano, later Lager Lager), Kevin Kelly (gtr) (ex Cook da Books, later Lager Lager, Freeze Frame, China Crisis), Peter Laiden (keys) (ex Lunjay Blue Armey). Band split in 1985 but reformed a year later. Line up between Jul & Sep87; Tony, Lisa & Paul with Brian Ather (gtr), Mark Vermig (keys), Nick Bellis (drms), Colin Payne (sax) (ex Lunjay Blue Armey). By Sept Brian had left to be replaced by Phil Hughes (gtr) (ex Some Party, Bushfinder) & they changed their name to Push Push. In early days they used different guitarists & drummers inc; Ronnie o’Keefe (gtr) (ex Builders, Secluded Places), Paul Reason (gtr) (ex Ex Post Facto, later Keep It Dark), Alan Pendergast (drms) (ex Manteau), Mark Coleridge (drms) (ex Ex Post Facto, Afraid of Mice), Dave Rielly (drms) (later Jo Jo & The Real People). Phil Hughes says, ‘We were more or less a reincarnation of Bushfinder with a change of singer and drummer but this came to an end after a couple of years.’

Useless – punk club run by members of Zombina & The Skeletones up until Feb05

Usurpa – West DerbyVillage band (1989-93) feat; Mark Melia. Rel Justice of a Different Kind demo followed by Prisons of The Mind. Malc McLeod in 2012 says, ‘I’m sure nobody cares but…. Usurpa weren’t really a West Derby band. Mark lived in the village, Alan was from the south end, Tony Ashton; he was a lovely fella, where is he now? He lived up Holt Road in Kennsington. And I was born in Kirkdale but moved to Anfield. It wasn’t easy moving around the town, with long hair etc…as you probably remember yourself, they where nuts times. Anyway, I was a welder in Usurpa, but I’m a soppy southerner now, I live in Brighton and I’m into banjos check out brighton banjos.com.’

Utopia Dream – Widnes band (formed late82), feat; Dave Fenlon (later Wake Up Afrika, 35 Summers)