The Pop Group

Founded in Bristol, England in 1978, The Pop Group is a pioneering post-punk group founded and originally fronted by vocalist and songwriter Mark Stewart. The band’s original line-up included Stewart, guitarists Gareth Sager and John Waddington and a rhythm section featuring Simon Underwood (bass) and Bruce Smith (drums). Combining elements of avant-garde, experimental rock, free jazz, dub, soul, punk and funk, The Pop group released their first single, “She Is Beyond Good and Evil” in 1979 on the then-new label Radar Records. That same year saw the release of their debut album, Y, which was produced by reggae icon Dennis Bovell. Although the album wasn’t a commercial success, it still became one of the most influential post-punk albums of all time. Leaving Radar, The Pop Group signed to Rough Trade Records and released their next single, “We Are All Prostitutes,” at the end of the year. that year, reaching Number 8 on the Independent Singles chart. In 1980, they released their sophomore album For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder? which rose to Number 1 on the Independent Albums chart. The non-album single “Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” rose to Number 8 on the Independent Singles chart. Amidst internal pressure and legal problems, The Pop Group split up in 1981 and each member followed their own musical paths with Mark Stewart working on several projects including The New Age Steppers and Mark Stewart and The Mafia. In 2010, the original members – minus John Waddington – reunited and issued the compilation album Cabinet of Curiosities (2014) before recording and releasing a new studio album, Citizen Zombie, in 2015. Reuniting with producer Dennis Bovell, they released the album Honeymoon on Mars the following year. Founder and frontman Mark Stewart died on April 21, 2023, at the age of 62. Two months later, original guitarist John Waddington passed away on June 20, 2023, at the age of 63.

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