The Wasps

The Wasps are a UK Punk band first formed in East London, Feb 1976. Original line up Jesse Lynn-Dean (vocals/songwriter), Steve Wollaston (bass), Johnny Rich (drums) Del May (guitar '76'-Sept '77), Gary Wellman (guitar Sept '77 to '79).

They were there at the start of the UK Punk rock movement along with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Damned, Buzzcocks, UK Subs, Sham 69, Stiff Little Fingers, Subway Sect, etc .
Performing extensively across the UK at venues such as The Roxy, The Vortex, Bridge House, Rock Garden, etc.

They performed twice on John Peel’s Radio 1 show. Their singles “Teenage Treats” (one of Peel's favourites) and “Can’t Wait Till ‘78” from the "Various Artists - Live At The Vortex" album are considered punk classics from that period.

Signing to RCA in '79 their single “Rubber Cars” was RCA’s fastest selling the week of it’s release and they appeared on tv's "Runnaround" show hosted by Mike Reid, but the band were forced to split due to unresolvable managerial disputes.

Jumping forward an astonishing 40 + years, in November 2019, original singer/songwriter Jesse Lynn-Dean has reinvented The Wasps with creative & talented musicians, with a pedigree in Punk and afficionados of UK Punk '76-'79 era.

The Wasps today are: original front man singer/songwriter Jesse Lynn-Dean, Martin Hope (guitar), Pedro Marin Font (guitar), Kiko Alvarez (bass), Roly Quesnel (drums).

Now located in Malaga, Spain, they performed at the Punk Fest "Punkirola" at Black Velvet venue in Torremolinos, Malaga in 2019.
But in 2020 their tour Spain/Portugal/UK inc. Rebellion Punk Fest was postponed due to Covid. So not to sit on their laurels, Lynn-Dean wrote a new Wasps album.
In Oct 2021 The Wasps new album "Punk Prayer”, was recorded LIVE at Hollers Analog Studio, Malaga. Initially it was digitally released on 9th Dec '21 (Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc) and from The Wasps website thewaspsofficial.com & Bandcamp thewaspspunk.bandcamp.com. The Wasps released their new single "It Don't Matter To Me", in October 2021 and is available from all the above mentioned platforms.

2022 "PUNK PRAYER" ON VINYL + CD
"Punk Prayer" will be available online and at all gigs on CD with an 8 page booklet with lyrics from the end of March 2022 and it will be on vinyl in May on Family Spree Records, release date t.b.a.

2022 "PUNKRYONICS PLUS" ON VINYL + CD
In March 2022 The Wasps re-released the 2003 "Punkryonics" album on CD with a 12 page booklet featuring the singles and rare tracks from 1976-1979. The new 2022 album is called "Punkryonics Plus", featuring bonus tracks from the same era. This album will also be available on line and at all gigs. The album will also be available on vinyl later in 2022.

GIGS 2022
The Wasps are touring in UK, Spain & Portugal in 2022, with additional dates to be added. All the confirmed dates can be found on Bandsintown and on The Wasps website thewaspsofficial.com

The Wasps today are: original front man/songwriter Jesse Lynn-Dean, Martin Hope (guitar), Pedro Marin Font (guitar), Kiko Alvarez (bass), Roly Quesnel (drums).

THE WASPS DISCOGRAPHY 1976-1979
Singles:
"Teenage Treats" 1977 4Play Records,
"Can't Wait 'Till '78" Live A side of the Live at The Vortex single (B side Mean Streets) 1977
"Rubber Cars" 1979 RCA Records

THE WASPS ALBUMS featuring 1976-1979 tracks are
“Punkryonics” 2003 Overground Records
"ThisWASPunk" 2011, Rave Up Records.
"Punkryonics Plus" 2022 Vespa Records

Punk compilation albums featuring The Wasps tracks:
Live at The vortex, 1977 featuring "Can't Wait 'Till '78" and their version of "Waiting for my man)
Action Time Vision",
Perfect Unpop, Peel Show Hits & Long-Lost Lo-Fi Favourites Vol.1 1976-1980
1977: The Year Punk Broke
Harmony In My Head: UK Power Pop & New Wave 1977-81
British Punk Rock 1977
1-2-3-4 Punk & New Wave 1976-1979.

QUOTES:

BOB GELDOF: "THE WASPS Teenage Treats/She Made Magic (4 Play)... Aha. A light at the end of the tunnel. Adopting the old saw of attack being the best means of defence/offence The Wasps deliver a great record, great guitar riff and great singing. A hit or my name is B.P Fallon
"Teenage Treats" single review by Bob Geldof, Melody Maker, 3rd December 1977
https://20thcpunkarchives.tripod.com/nov/id27.htm

REVIEWS:
"TEENAGE TREATS"........."Great record" - Bob Geldof, guest reviewer, NME '78

THE WASPS..... "A knife edge sound, the best of New Wave" - Rosalind Russell, Record Mirror

"CAN'T WAIT 'TILL '78" (LIVE AT THE VORTEX)...... "A great opening track" - David Aldridge, Making Tracks

"RUBBER CARS"......... "Stands head and shoulders above most of this weeks selection" - Kelly Pike, Record Mirror, Feb '78

THE WASPS ......."EXCELLENT"- JOHN PEEL (R.I.P)

www.thewaspsofficial.com