999 50th Anniversary Show

999 play their 50th anniversary show at The Georgian Theatre - Stockton-on-Tees on 19 December 2026 at 7:30 pm.

999 were first conceived in late 1976 when Nick Cash (vocals/guitar) and Guy Days (vocals/lead guitar), who were at school together, decided to form a group. Within a couple of months they had teamed up with Jon Watson (bass) and Pablo Labritain (drums) and 999 were officially born. Their first gig was at the Northampton Cricket Club in January 1977. Interest in the band was immediate and constant gigging around London brought with it attention and a following of supporters from Southall, calling themselves The Crew.

The frenzy and raw energy of the early days were captured by their debut single 'I'm Alive' on the band's own Labritain label, and it sold well enough to become a minor hit. Next, through their association with United Artists Records, the second and third singles, 'Nasty Nasty' and 'Emergency', were released, both reaching the lower end of the charts and confirming 999 as a force in the British new wave movement.

The first album, titled simply '999', was released, followed by extensive touring throughout Britain and Europe, including Middlesbrough Rock Garden.

The second album 'Separates' was released, and the single 'Homicide' entered the UK Top 40 without any radio airplay and was banned by the BBC and most radio stations.

Early 1979 saw the band embarking on their first US tour, which was an achievement in itself, as they were still without a record deal in America at the time. Response to the band was strong, venues were filled, and import albums sold out.

In 1980 the band released their third studio album 'The Biggest Prize in Sport', which featured a track called 'English Wipeout' that mentions Middlesbrough Rock Garden. A UK tour took place in January/February that year and the band played two dates at the venue.

The fourth album 'Concrete' followed in 1981 and included the single 'Obsessed'. Initial copies came with a 999 patch. Vic Maile produced the album.

Since leaving United Artists in 1979, 999 have recorded another eleven albums. Jon Watson was replaced in 1986 on bass by Danny Palmer and subsequently by Arturo Bassick in 1991. To date, the band have completed 17 US tours, played over 130 London gigs, more than 50 UK tours and over 30 European tours.

They released their last album 'Bish! Bash! Bosh!' in 2020.

A new album, '999 On The Loose', is slated for release later in the year.

Support bands:
- Nervous Twitch
- Dead Hombres