Rip Rig + Panic was a short-lived but highly influential post-punk band formed in Bristol, England, in 1980, though often associated with the London scene. The group disbanded in 1983 after releasing three studio albums. They took their name from the 1965 jazz album Rip, Rig and Panic by American multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, reflecting their experimental ethos. Emerging from the ashes of the seminal post-punk outfit The Pop Group, Rip Rig + Panic pushed boundaries by blending avant-garde elements, free jazz, funk, reggae, and world music influences with post-punk’s raw energy. Their sound was chaotic yet sophisticated, characterized by virtuoso instrumentation, esoteric humor, and innovative vocal styles that mixed pop/soul with spoken-word and improvisational flair. Critics at the time praised their debut for its “act of faith in tumult,” while later assessments highlight their neglect in music history despite their groundbreaking approach.
The band’s formation came after The Pop Group’s dissolution in 1980. Drummer Bruce Smith, guitarist/saxophonist Gareth Sager, and pianist Mark Springer—who had performed live with The Pop Group—decided to pivot away from political lyrics toward free jazz and reggae explorations. They recruited vocalist Neneh Cherry (who brought a fresh pop/soul edge) and bassist Sean Oliver (whose sister, Andi Oliver, later contributed vocals). Additional members included saxophonist David “Flash” Wright, trumpeter David De Fries, and viola player Sarah Sarhandi, creating a fluid lineup that emphasized collective improvisation. The core group was Cherry, Oliver, Sager, Smith, and Springer, with collaborations like jazz legend Don Cherry (Neneh’s stepfather) adding trumpet and vocals on several tracks.
Musically, Rip Rig + Panic stood out for rejecting conventional structures. Their style evolved from the frenzied, multi-layered debut God(1981), which fused post-punk with free improvisation and humor, to the more commercial yet still eclectic I Am Cold (1982), incorporating world music and jazz trumpet flourishes. By Attitude (1983), they honed a somewhat more focused sound, though still experimental, with critics noting it as their most “produced” effort. Influences ranged from Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s boundary-pushing jazz to the post-punk innovation of The Pop Group, with elements of funk basslines, explosive drumming, and abstract lyrics tackling themes like societal drudgery, subversion, and sensuality. Their live performances and recordings often felt like controlled chaos, with instruments like clarinet, bass clarinet, and melodica adding to the sonic palette.
Rip Rig and Panic’s discography :
• Studio Albums:
• God (1981, Virgin Records): A double 12” 45 RPM set, emphasizing raw energy and humor.
• I Am Cold (1982, Virgin Records): Another double 12” 45 RPM release, featuring Don Cherry and a shift toward jazz/world fusion.
• Attitude (1983, Virgin Records): Their final album, more polished but still avant-garde.
• Kill Me in the Morning (1985, Rough Trade, as Float Up CP): A post-breakup release by most members minus Springer.
• Compilations:
• Knee Deep in Hits (1990, Virgin Records): A retrospective of key tracks.
• Singles:
• “Go, Go, Go! (This Is It)” (1981)
• “Bob Hope Takes Risks” (1981)
• “You’re My Kind of Climate” (1982)
• “Storm the Reality Asylum” (1982)
• “Beat the Beast” (1983)
• “Do the Tightrope” (1983)
• “Joy’s Address” (1984, as Float Up CP)
Significant events include their appearance on the British sitcom The Young Ones performing “You’re My Kind of Climate,” and multiple sessions for BBC DJ John Peel, who championed them with airplay and recordings between 1981 and 1984. They also collaborated with Nico on a radio session. The split in 1983 was amicable, with Neneh Cherry noting everyone needed to pursue individual paths. Most reformed as Float Up CP for one album before dissolving.
Their legacy lies in bridging post-punk with jazz and global sounds, influencing later experimental acts. Despite critical acclaim—e.g., Italian magazine Rockerilla ranking their albums highly in year-end lists—the band remains underappreciated. Post-band, Neneh Cherry achieved solo fame with hits like “Buffalo Stance”; Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith revived The Pop Group in 2010; Mark Springer pursued solo piano work and founded the Exit label; Sean Oliver co-wrote Terence Trent D’Arby’s “Wishing Well” before his untimely death in 1990 from sickle cell anemia; Andi Oliver became a UK TV chef and personality. Reissues in 2013 by Cherry Red Records have helped rediscover their catalog.
