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Handbag

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Handbag were a London Glam/Prog rock band formed in London in 1973.

Handbag on Facebook

The band members included:

Paul Southwell - Vocals/Bass Guitar

David C Jenkins - Vocals/Guitar 

Allan Jordan -  Drums 

Peter Franks -  Vocals/Guitar/Stylophone

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Career

In 1974 Handbag started to play the London Pub Rock circuit but also included many Gay Liberation Front and Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) dances and discos. During this time the band developed an outrageous live act which included kissing and simulated sodomy on stage. Peter Franks left the band in 1974 and the trio quickly built a following, playing the GLF benefits, LGBTQ+ events and the busy pub rock circuit, although many gigs were pulled when venue managers realised exactly what kind of act they had booked.

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  • Paul in 1976
  • Pete Franks

When the band played The Speakeasy Club in London where they were spotted by Jet Records/Don Arden who in 1975 signed the band to a recording contract.

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  • Paul Dave & Phil
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During 1975 Handbag went on to record an album for Jet Records consisting of 10 original songs. With openly Gay lyrics and song titles like "Leather Boys" and "Closet Queen" the working title for the album was ‘Whores Handbag’. After a photo session with Mick Rock and an album cover designed, the album was finished in 1975. However, the management of Jet Records deemed the songs and concept too risqué to be released and the debut album was buried by Jet Records and the band dropped from the label. Homophobia was rife in the 1970’s.

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  • Handbag LOST

In 1976 Handbag went on to write, record and donate their music to the CHE Lewisham Branch’s film ‘David is Homosexual’. This pioneering landmark Gay film was used as a teaching tool in schools at the time. CHE’s ‘David is Homosexual’ is available on British Film Institute (BFI) website.

Undeterred with the Jet Records experience, the band carried on and eventually wrote new songs to take on the road. They signed to Circle International Records who in 1978 in a deal with Up International records released what were demo recordings, in Italy, as Handbags second album ‘Handbag Snatchin’ later re-released as ‘The Aggressive Style Punk Rock by Handbag’. 

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  • Handbag-album-cover
  • compilation album cover

After playing gigs throughout the 70’s including a 3 month residency (Gay night) at the London Punk Club ‘The Roxy Club’ Handbag disbanded in early 1980.

Recently

With interest in LGBTQ+ history there is now a renewed interest in the Handbag and they are included in many books and articles charting the history of LGBTQ+ music. With this renewed interest the original demos of the Jet recordings have been digitized and these are now available on all major streaming and download sites as Handbag; The Lost/Jet session.

Discography

Albums

  • Handbag Snatchin (1978)

  • The Aggressive Style Punk Rock by Handbag (1978) Handbag;

  • The Jet/lost sessions (2022)
Singles

  • You Won’t Get Me (1977)

  • Superstar Car Crash (2005)
Compilation Albums

  • Queer Sounds, La Musique De Genre (2023) Telerama/PIAS