The Reputations – I Believe You [2x7''] (1980, Blueprint)

By 1979, the London group The Young Ones had changed their name to The Reputations, continuing with the same line-up but moving into a slightly different corner of the British power pop and new wave scene. The band consisted of Paul Lewis (vocals), Richard Bull (guitar), John Holliday (bass), Martin Broad (drums) and Paul Wickens (keyboards). Their earlier incarnation had attracted some attention with 'Rock 'n' Roll Radio', a 1978 single issued by Virgin Records, but the change of name brought a much lower-profile recording career.

 
The double 7-inch set 'I Believe You', released in 1980 on Blueprint, was their principal release under the Reputations name. The title track, credited to Richard Bull and Paul Lewis, is among the songs associated with the group in later compilations. The release came towards the end of their short career, which ran from the late 1970s until 1980. The band split shortly after its appearance. 

The original Young Ones line-up had been documented in the British music press in early 1978, when the group was preparing its Virgin debut. The single was released on 17 March 1978 under the catalogue number VS 205, with "Little Bit Of Loving" on the B-side. Both tracks were credited to the band's members, and the record was produced under the name A Smart Young Production. The group also played live, including appearances supporting The Vibrators during that period. 

The personnel had some interesting careers after the group folded. Paul Wickens, better known as Wix Wickens, went on to become a highly regarded session musician and multi-instrumentalist, working with artists including Nik Kershaw, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and David Gilmour. His best-known association began in 1989, when he joined Paul McCartney's touring band, eventually becoming its musical director. Guitarist Richard Bull also continued working in the music business, later becoming involved with Incognito, the British jazz-funk and acid-jazz outfit led by Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick. Bassist John Holliday subsequently played with the much less widely known Escape Club. 

 

Label: Blueprint – BLUX 1001 

Format: 2 x Vinyl, 7" 

Country: UK 

Released: 1980 

Style: Mod, Classic Rock, Mod Revival, Power Pop, Glam Rock 

 

Tracklist: 

A I Believe You 

B Breaking Communication 

C All Day And All Of The Night 

D They Think I Don't See Them 

 

Other Versions:  

'I Believe You' (2×7", Single, Stereo) Blueprint [BLUATS 1001-1/1001-2] (Portugal. 1980) 

 

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