Chron Gen

Chron Gen burst onto the British punk scene in January 1978 in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, emerging from former members of The Condemned and Optional Xtras.

History

Originally featuring vocalist/guitarist Glynn “Baxter” Barber, drummer Jon “JJ” Johnson, bassist Adam Warwicker (later replaced by Pete Dimmock), and rhythm guitarist Jon Thurlow, Chron Gen released their debut EP Puppets of War in 1981 on their own Gargoyle label. The EP spent nearly ten months on the UK Independent Chart, peaking at number 4, and propelled the band onto the infamous Apocalypse tour with groups like The Exploited, Discharge, Anti-Pasti, and The Anti-Nowhere League.

After releasing a single on Step Forward Records, they signed with Secret Records, which issued their debut album Chronic Generation in March 1982. The album reached number 53 on the UK Albums Chart and was the last to feature Jon Thurlow before his replacement by Mark “Floyd” Allison. Following further tours; including a U.S. tour in support of the album; and personnel changes, their final release was the mini-album Nowhere to Run in 1984, leading to their split later that year. The band have since reunited occasionally for reunion shows and festival appearances, and in 2016 they released a new album, This is the Age.

Discography

Singles and EPs

Puppets of War EP (1981, Gargoyle) – UK Indie Chart peak: #4
“Reality” (1981, Step Forward) – UK Indie Chart peak: #2
“Jet Boy, Jet Girl” (1982, Secret) – UK Indie Chart peak: #4
“Outlaw” (1982, Secret)
“Nowhere to Run” (1984, Picasso) – UK Indie Chart peak: #25

Albums

Chronic Generation (1982, Secret) – UK Indie Chart peak: #2; UK Albums Chart: #53 (initial copies came with a free Live 7-inch EP)
This is the Age (2016)

Live Albums

Apocalypse Live Tour June ’81 (Live at Leicester) (1982, Chaos Tapes) – UK Indie Chart peak: #15
Live at the Old Waldorf – San Francisco (1985, Picasso)
Free Live EP 7″ recorded at the Regal Auditorium – Hitchin (9/12/81)

Compilations

The Best of Chron Gen (1994, Captain Oi!)
Puppets of War: The Collection (2004, Rhythm Vicar) – 2 CD set with previously unreleased material

History