One Way System were formed in 1979 as a five piece band in Fleetwood, a seaside fishing town in the North West of England. Their raucous punk style was first noticed by No Future Records who included a demo of 'Jerusalem' on the now collectable compilation 'A Country Fit For Heroes' in 1981. This was shortly followed by the seminal 'Stab The Judge' EP on Blackpool's own 'Beat The System Records'.
It had taken some time for the line up to settle down as Gavin Whyte on vocals, Dave Ross guitar, Gaz Buckley bass & Tom Couch on drums
By 1983 the System became the first signing for new Cherry Red label 'Anagram Records'. Their first single for the label 'Give Us A Future' leapt straight into the Independent Chart. The band were featured on the front cover of the now defunct 'Sounds' music paper to coincide with the release of their acclaimed first album 'All Systems Go'. By this time the band were gigging constantly, both as headliners and alongside contemporaries such as GBH, The Exploited and The Test Tube Babies.
In retrospect the second album 'Writing On The Wall' really said it all with a title hinting of things to come. Although as hard edged and gritty as the first LP, one can detect the desire to move onwards and upwards from the straight punk sound. The band played some classic shows to promote the record including their only European outing, a 32 date tour of Germany.
The change of producer, from manager John Bentham, to Clay Records supremo Mike Stone for the 'Visions of Angels' EP, was a dramatic shift of sound and feel. Although well received, it seemed to leave the band in an almost uncomfortable void from which there was 'no return'.
October 1984 saw the band in America for a West Coast tour alongside US act 'The Circle Jerks', whose singer broke his neck just before the first gig resulting in the tour being cancelled. However the Los Angeles show at the massive Olympic Auditorium went ahead with Suicidal Tendencies stepping in. This was followed a couple a days later by what was to be the Systems last gig at an illegal warehouse party, where the band played a storming set on minimal equipment, hitting the last note as the Los Angeles Police Department arrived to break up the gathering
Their return to the UK was to prove difficult and although enough songs were written for a new album, the band had decided to call it a day.
1994 saw the release of both albums on CD by the "Captain Oi!" re-issue label. This was followed by a 'Best Of' CD from "Anagram". By mid '95 the original band was back together, rehearsing for their first live show in over Ten years. A couple of warm up gigs in the North of England were followed by the 'Fuck Reading' all dayer at London's Brixton Academy in front of 2000 people, along with a similar show headlining in Belgium.
Late November saw the departure of original bass player Gaz Buckley, with Dave 'Rabid' Brown standing in for a Ten date tour across Europe, Dave was soon to be replaced by Andy Wilkinson.
March 1996 and Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles issue the bands first ever US domestic release "Forgotten Generation", which is basically the "Best Of", but using some different tracks and different packaging. The band also released a limited pressing 7" vinyl EP of 4 live tracks from the Rennesincluding the already legendary 'Holidays In The Sun' festival in Blackpool, where the System "came home" to headline the second stage on the Saturday.
Whilst the band were working on new material and preparing to record in early '97, they found themselves without a singer! Gavin had decided not to pursue any interest with the band. So a decision was made to continue working on songs with band roadie 'Lee Havoc' taking on the microphone. This arrangement worked very well, and in a short time the band were recording new material
One Way Systems performance at the 'Holidays In The Sun' festival, The Holiday Snaps Video, is the last release to feature Gavin. A fitting finale for Gav to be playing to his biggest audience ever for a local show. Respect.
When we get back to Jerusalem
Everybody's gonna praise our name
When we get back to Jerusalem
Ain't nothing gonna be the same
When the System hit Jerusalem
All the waters gonna turn to beer
When we get back to Jerusalem
You wont never see us hanging round here
Jerusalem can't you feel the heat
Jerusalem dare you walk the streets
With everybody looking after number one
Your face ain't nothing till you gone
The last time we went to Jerusalem
Everyone said we sounded fine
The last time we went to Jerusalem
Everybody had a real good time
The punks ain't punks in Jerusalem
They all think they know how to pose
Opinions don't matter in Jerusalem
As long as you wear the right clothes
