PAUL WARNING (bass)

Paul was one of the founding members of Verbal Warning back in the hazy days of 1979.

In those days he was the band’s guitarist but has now switched to the bass in the new line-up.

“We started out in 79 and carried on until 1983 before taking a 22-year sabbatical,” he said. “I was happy enough playing guitar but, now we have found someone who can play it just as well as me, so I moved to bass.”

Paul is a huge Ramones fan, but his other big influences are Green Day, The Damned, The Beatles, The Undertones and current USA band the Groovie Ghoulies, who reproduce that fantastic Ramones sound in their songs.

Paul’s first gig was watching Sham 69 back at Nottingham’s legendary punk club The Sandpiper in the City’s Lace Market.

But his most memorable show was the day Fergal Sharkey and The Undertones played the opening gig at the new Rock City venue in Nottingham.

He said: “It was memorable as it was the first time Rock City had staged a gig and the band were superb. It was great to watch one of my favorite bands of all time play the first gig there.

“It is still a great venue but, looking back, I saw some brilliant gigs at Retford Porterhouse as well, particularly by the UK Subs.

“And, being a Beatles fan, another of my favourite gigs was watching the Bootleg Beatles at the old Musters Hotel in West Bridgford.”

They say a fool and his money are easily parted. Well Paul’s no fool and you try getting a beer out of him! Best of luck.

JOHN WARNING (vocals)

John used to be singer in a band called Potential Difference who played several gigs with the old Verbal Warning line-up.

But he has now completed a free transfer many years after the demise of the two original bands!

John has always lived in the Long Eaton area and since he finished with PD, has kept his showing-off to acting with the Riverside Drama Company or mooning in public bars near closing time.

But now back at the microphone, he is looking forward to a successful future with VW.

“My first three gigs were The Damned at Retford Porterhouse, The Buzzcocks and Subway Sect at Derby King’s Hall and The Clash with the Slits, also at King’s Hall.

“That was it. From then on I was completely hooked and my school bag was covered in inked-on band names and the old punk badges which I still have in my big punk rock nostalgia collection.

His favorite band is The Stranglers, followed by The Clash, The Damned, The Buzzcocks, The Ramones, UK Subs and The Adverts.

He is also a massive fan of punk novelty act John Otway and makes an annoying habit of dragging everyone he meets to see an Otway gig! However, most go back for more!

Of current acts on the smaller punk circuit, John is a big fan of TV Smith (ex-Adverts frontman), Blyth Power, Atilla the Stockbroker, and Eastfield. And the evergreen Morrissey still makes him smile!

LEE WARNING (guitar)

Verbal Warning is Lee’s first band, though he is keeping his ears open for any vacancies in Green Day.

Canterbury-born, Lee now lives in the more northern wilds of Long Eaton.

The baby of the band, his first gig was as recent as the Download Festival at Donington Park in 1995 (aah!) which was headlined by metal giants Metallica.

But Lee has kept his hair and his riffing on the shorter side and cites his main influences as Green Day, The Clash, The Ramones, Nirvana, The Pixies and Stiff Little Fingers.

Lee’s best ever gig seen was Green Day (that name keeps cropping up) at Nottingham’s National Ice Arena this year, but a great night watching Fingers as Sheffield’s Leadmill runs it a close second.

“That was the first time I’d ever heard them play Strummerville live and, as a big Clash fan, it was really moving to hear it,” he said.

Lee’s favourite guitarist is Green Day (it’s there again) frontman Billie Joe Armstrong.

A modest computer whizzkid, Lee is responsible for the wonderful design of this very web site.

IAN WARNING (drums)

Ian has been drumming for two years and Verbal Warning represent his first band.

Born in Watford, he now lives in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Ian’s first taste of live punk rock was watching the Stranglers at Nottingham’s Rock City in 1981.

“I can’t remember too much about it now as it was such a long time ago, but it was a great experience and I know my ears were ringing for three days afterwards,” he said.

The Stranglers remain among his favourite bands of all time along with Green Day, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, The Prisoners, The Clash and The Chameleons.

One of those great, lost British guitar cult bands of the Eighties, The Chameleons also provided Ian with his best gig of all time.

“As a fan I heard they had reformed and I went to see them at Wychwood near Ashton-under-Lyme,” he said,

“It was so good to see them again after so many years."

“I have a collection of everything they ever did.”

His favourite drummer of all time is John Lever from the Chameleons. He also has s soft spot for the late, looney Keith Moon of The Who.