Cyanide Pills

ByLets Go Punk
Cyanide Pills are a Leeds punk band formed in 2008

Cyanide Pills is a punk band from Leeds, England that formed in 2008. Their music mixes the energy of classic 1970s punk with a sharp, pop-leaning edge. With snappy singles, several full-length albums, and relentless gigging around the UK and Europe, they have built a reputation for writing fast, hook-driven songs that stick in your head. Signed to Damaged Goods Records, the group has become one of the label’s most consistent punk acts of the last decade.

How The Band Got Started

The band began in mid-2008 when a group of friends from Leeds who had been playing in different bands decided to form the project they truly wanted. They teamed up with Carl “Razorblade” Rosamond at The Billiard Room studios in Leeds to record their first demos. Those demos caught the attention of Damaged Goods Records in London, which led to the release of their debut single “Break It Up” in early 2009. That same year, Cyanide Pills started to gain traction with fans looking for a new spin on punk rooted in the sound of groups like The Boys and Buzzcocks.

Debut Album and Early Singles

In 2010, after original bassist Coz departed, the band recruited Alarick “The Trick” on bass. They released their self-titled debut album in July of that year, paired with the single “Conquer the World.” The 19-track record was praised by critics and fans alike, with Rock Sound calling it “superbly refreshing” and Big Cheese describing it as “a spike-domed, pogo-pop sugar rush.” The album quickly sold out and was re-pressed on colored vinyl, cementing its place as a modern punk favorite. Around this time, the band began touring across the UK and soon after headed out for their first European dates, including shows with The Cute Lepers.

Second Album and Continued Touring

The band released the single “Up Against the Wall” in December 2011, followed by another single in Germany, “Johnny Thunders Lived in Leeds.” Their second album, Still Bored, was released in April 2013 with 17 tracks that blended punk, new wave, and power pop. The record received strong reviews worldwide, with Vive Le Rock praising their spirited approach. The band supported the album with more UK and European tours and appearances at major punk festivals such as Rebellion in Blackpool. Later that year, they released singles including “Apathy” backed with “Conspiracy Theory” and “Waiting (For You to Call Me)” with “Hooked on You.”

Live Album and Third Full-Length

In 2014, the group issued a live 10-inch record, Live N’ Nasty in Frankfurt, captured during their German tour. More live shows followed, leading up to the release of their third studio album, Sliced and Diced, in March 2017. The album earned a spot at number six on Vive Le Rock’s end-of-year album poll, further proving the band’s staying power. Singles from this era included “Government,” “Big Mistake,” and the exclusive track “My Baby’s Become a Right Wing Extremist.”

Recent Activity

In February 2022, Cyanide Pills returned with the single “The Kids Can’t Be Trusted With Rock ’n’ Roll,” backed with “Do You Wanna Know.” Limited to 500 copies, it previewed the group’s next full-length, Soundtrack to the New Cold War, which was released in October 2023. The album rollout also included another 7-inch single, “Hope You’re Having Fun.” To support the new record, the band scheduled UK shows in the winter of 2023 and announced their first-ever U.S. appearances.

Members

  • Phil Privilege – vocals
  • Chris Wrist – drums
  • Sy Pinkeye – guitar
  • Alarick “The Trick” – bass
  • Alex Arson – guitar

Discography

Studio Albums:

  • Cyanide Pills (2010, Damaged Goods Records)
  • Still Bored (2013, Damaged Goods Records)
  • Sliced and Diced (2017, Damaged Goods Records)
  • Soundtrack to the New Cold War (2023, Damaged Goods Records)

Live Albums:

  • Live N’ Nasty in Frankfurt (2014, Damaged Goods Records)

Selected Singles and EPs:

  • Break It Up (2009)
  • Conquer the World (2010)
  • Up Against the Wall (2011)
  • Johnny Thunders Lived in Leeds (2011)
  • Where Did It Go? (2012)
  • Apathy (2013)
  • Waiting (For You to Call Me) (2013)
  • Government (2015)
  • Big Mistake (2017)
  • The Kids Can’t Be Trusted With Rock ’n’ Roll (2022)
  • Hope You’re Having Fun (2023)

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