Welcome to Part 2 of our field guide to the Bromley’s. Yesterday we identified Siouxsie Sioux, Soo Catwoman, Debbie Juvenile, Philip Sallon, Bertie “Berlin” Marshall, and Simon Barker aka “Six”. Tonight we deal with the other half of the fan pack, comprising a dominatrix, two international rock stars, more shop assistants and at least one who’s sadly no longer around. Meet the Bromley’s part two….
Steve Severin – co-founder of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Steve has played on 11 Banshees albums, and has also produced work with Lydia Lunch, Robert Smith and Marc Almond. More recently he has become known for his work on soundtracks and has swapped living accommodation in Bromley, for Edinburgh.
Linda Ashby – Linda lived at the St James Hotel, where these group shots were taken by Ray Stevenson, she also allegedly ran an S&M dungeon in Earls Court. “Linda’s flat was decorated in Heals sofas and velvet curtains, it was my first touch with a certain glamour. She was very generous with her pills and vodka that she’d send out for at 4am. It wasn’t Punk aesthetic at all, it was very 70s”. – Bertie Berlin Marshall interview in 3am Magazine
From top left, Simon Barker, Steve Severin, Simone Thomas and Siouxsie Sioux appear alongside the Sex Pistols on the Bill Grundy Today show 1st December 1976.
Simone Thomas – Appeared behind the Sex Pistols with Siouxsie, Severin and Simon Barker on the Bill Grundy Show in 1976. Allegedly played the violin in a formative Banshees, and also notable as being one of the first female mixed race punks. “I was 16 at the time. My life revolved around David Bowie and Roxy Music and dressing up and going to gigs. I’d met Siouxsie at a Roxy Concert. She was from the same part of London as me and she started going out with Steve Severin….we became known as the Bromley Contingent after the Sex Pistols played Orpington College….we were the first fans in fact” – from an interview with punk77.com
Tracie O Keefe – Another Seditionaries sales assistant who was arrested alongside 10 others including Debbie Juvenile and Malcolm McLaren at the side of the Thames after a police launch stopped the Sex Pistols Jubilee Boat trip. The only person to receive a jail sentence for this was Tracie, who, after being acquitted, tragically and unexpectedly died of bone cancer just a few months later.
Pictured left Debbie Juvenile and Tracie O’Keefe.
Billy Idol – University dropout and Punk pin-up William Broad formed first wave punk band Generation X with Tony James towards the end of 1976. Centred around clothes shop Acme Attractions they were managed by accountant and Roxy club co-founder Andrew Czezowski. Six months later they signed with Chrysalis Records and Billy has been a proper rockstar ever since. He now lives in LA.
And then there are the not very well documented members like Sharon Hayman, of who we know nothing…but maybe you can fill us in? All/any Bromley knowledge or memories are welcome here!