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Restricted Code is a post-punk band from Glasgow, Scotland, active between 1978 and 1981. They reformed in 2018 with the four original members, plus Les Gaff of Positive Noise on drums.

HISTORY
From Easterhouse in Glasgow, school friends Tom Cannavan and Frank Quadrelli had played together in bands since they were 16 or so. Influences were pretty eclectic from punk in the mid- late-70s (big Sex Pistols and Clash fans) to “new wave” (Talking Heads, The Cure, etc.) to funk and soul (Chic, Otis Reading, etc). Tom and Frank wrote the songs together, the band arranged them.

Restricted Code toured the UK several times, toured with The Human League in the UK and Europe, and completed a British tour with The Fire Engines, another band signed to the same record label Pop:Aural (formerly Fast Product – Human League, Gang of Four, The Mekons, etc.). The bands took it in turn to headline each night. Aged only 16 at the time, the increasing gig and touring committments led to Robert’s decision to quit the band. Steve Lironi was recruited to replace Robert on drums.

Restricted Code enjoyed fantastic critical success and something of a ‘cult’ following. Paul Morley in NME picked them as “band most likely to…” in 1980, Sounds music paper claimed they delivered the “best gig of 1980”, and there were numerous rave reviews and extensive features in magazines including The Face and Melody Maker.

The band recorded sessions for John Peel and Richard Skinner on BBC radio one in 1981.

Despite the critical acclaim, an extremely loyal fan-base and universal praise for their live gigs, the band didn’t sell the volume of records that they, or their record company, expected. The single First Night On topped the NME indy charts – but that didn’t mean huge sales in 1980 – and while Love to Meet You sold well, it didn’t break though into chart success.

In 2018 Restricted Code reformed, with all four of the original members including songwriting partnership Tom Cannavan and Frank Quadrelli, and bass player Kenny Blythe. Drummer Robert Maccormick had switched to playing keyboards, so the band brought in old friend Les Gaff, formerly of fellow Glaswegian band, Positive Noise, on drums.

DISCOGRAPHY

 * Second City Statik EP, Statik Records (1980)
 * First Night On/From the Top, Pop:aural (1980)
 * Love to Meet You/Monkey Monkey Monkey Pop:aural (1981)

The band's music is all available to listen to free on their website restrictedcode.com