Punishment Of Luxury

Punishment of Luxury is an English post-punk band that formed in Newcastle in 1976. Coming from backgrounds in fringe theatre, they crafted a unique sound and style that set them apart in the late 1970s scene. The original lineup featured Brian Bond on vocals, Neville Luxury on guitar and vocals, Red Helmet on guitar and vocals, Jimi Giro on bass, and Les Denham on drums. They gained some attention with early singles like "Puppet Life" and signed with United Artists to release their 1979 album *Laughing Academy*. Known for their theatrical and somewhat avant-garde approach, they played notable gigs such as the Reading Rock Festival in 1979. Despite recording a follow-up concept album, *Gigantic Days*, label changes led to them being dropped, and the band dissolved in 1984 after some lineup changes and a name shift to Punilux. They have reunited sporadically since then, maintaining a cult following with releases spanning live recordings and retrospective compilations.

Their music blends sharp post-punk energy with an offbeat, theatrical edge, reflective of their fringe theatre roots. The band’s early work is cherished among post-punk enthusiasts for its originality and witty, sometimes surreal lyrics. In addition to *Laughing Academy*, they released other records including *7* and the long-delayed *Gigantic Days*, which finally saw official release in the late 1990s. Punishment of Luxury’s legacy lies in their distinctive voice in the post-punk movement, combining art-school sensibility with punk's raw edge, making them a standout from their era.