Viv Albertine - Music Career

Music Career

Albertine was amongst the first "inner circle" fans of the Sex Pistols, and was close friends of both Mick Jones and Joe Strummer of The Clash. Albertine joined The Slits as the band's guitarist, after founding member Kate Korus left in 1977. The Clash's 1979 song, "Train in Vain" has been interpreted by some as a response to "Typical Girls" by The Slits, which mentions girls standing by their men. Albertine split up with songwriter Mick Jones shortly before he wrote the song. On 5 October 2010 Albertine confirmed in an interview with Cerys Matthews on BBC 6 Music that the song was written about her, describing how Jones would travel by train to visit her in her squat.

While continuing as a key member of The Slits, Albertine contributed guitar and vocal work to The 49 Americans 1980 album E Pluribus Unum. She also became part of Adrian Sherwood's dub-influenced collective, New Age Steppers, and played on their self-titled 1981 debut album. She also appeared as a guest guitarist on the Flying Lizards' debut album, as well as Singers & Players 1982 album, Revenge of the Underdog.

After The Slits disbanded in 1982, Albertine studied film making in London. She worked as a director, mostly for television, throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s. Her freelance directing work included stints with the BBC and the British Film Institute.

In 2009, Albertine began performing as a solo artist, playing venues around London showcasing new material. She performed her debut gig on September 20, 2009 in The Windmill, Brixton with Get Back Guinozzi and Little Eris supporting. In March 2010 Albertine released a four-song debut solo E.P. titled Flesh on Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace! label.

Albertine recorded a cover version of David Bowie's Letter to Hermione for the Bowie tribute album We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie which was released on 6 September 2010.

Albertine's debut solo album, titled The Vermilion Border, is scheduled for release on 5 November 2012 through the Cadiz Music label. The album was a featured project on Pledgemusic.