The Associates (band)
The Associates were a Scottish rock act, formed in Dundee in 1976. They were known for the distinctive voice of singer Billy Mackenzie. Their biggest success was in 1982 with the UK Top 10 album Sulk and UK Top 20 singles "Party Fears Two" and "Club Country".
History
1979–1982: Formation and success
Billy Mackenzie and guitarist Alan Rankine met in Dundee, Scotland in 1976 and formed the cabaret duo The Ascorbic Ones. In 1979, they recorded songs as Mental Torture before changing the name again to Associates. Their debut single, a cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging", was released June 1979, just six weeks after Bowie's version hit the UK Top 10 in April. This was followed by their debut album, The Affectionate Punch in 1980.
A string of 1981 non-album singles were compiled as Fourth Drawer Down that year. Also in 1981, Rankine and MacKenzie released a version of "Kites" under the name 39 Lyon Street, with Christine Beveridge on lead vocals. The B-side, "A Girl Named Property", was credited to The Associates.