Portion Control: Pioneers of UK Industrial Electronics
Portion Control is a seminal British electronic music group, foundational to the development of industrial and electronic body music (EBM). Formed in London in the late 1970s, the band's raw, rhythmic sound and DIY ethos influenced a generation of artists across industrial, techno, and experimental genres.
Early career
Portion Control was formed in 1979 in London by Ian Sharp and John Whybrew. The duo emerged from the vibrant post-punk and industrial cassette culture, self-releasing their early, abrasive material on their own label, Sterile Records.
Their debut album, "I Staggered Mentally," arrived in 1982, establishing their signature of pounding drum machines, distorted vocals, and minimalist synth lines. This period cemented their reputation as underground innovators alongside contemporaries like Throbbing Gristle.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough to a wider audience came with their 1984 album "Step Forward" and the subsequent "Psychogeist" in 1985 on the influential UK label Illuminated Records. These releases refined their sound into a more structured, danceable form of electronic body music, gaining significant club play and critical acclaim within the industrial and alternative scenes.
Tracks from this era became anthems in underground clubs, though major chart success eluded them due to the niche nature of the genre. Their work, however, achieved a cult status and enduring influence that far outweighed commercial metrics.
Key tracks
Rough Justice — This track from "Psychogeist" is a quintessential EBM anthem with its relentless sequencer bass and shouted vocals.
Go For The Throat — A defining song from their early period, showcasing their aggressive, punk-inspired approach to electronic music.
Hit The Pulse — From the "Step Forward" album, this song highlights their move towards a more precise, rhythmic, and club-oriented sound.
Chew You To Bits — A later career highlight that demonstrates their ability to adapt their classic sound to the 1990s electronic landscape.
After a hiatus in the late 1980s, Portion Control returned in the 1990s and have continued to release music and perform, revered as elder statesmen of the industrial electronic genre. Their legacy is heard in the work of countless acts that followed, from classic EBM to modern industrial techno.
For fans of Portion Control's brand of aggressive electronics, similar artists featured on our site include Nitzer Ebb who share the driving EBM rhythm and commanding vocal style. Front 242 are another cornerstone act that helped define the clean, militant EBM sound. Nurse With Wound explores a more experimental and surreal side of the UK industrial scene. Skinny Puppy took the industrial template into more complex, theatrical, and sample-heavy territories.
The music of Portion Control maintains a steady rotation on dedicated alternative and industrial radio stations, as well as on specialty electronic music shows that explore the roots of the genre. Their foundational tracks are staples on online radio streams focusing on post-punk, classic EBM, and industrial history, connecting their pioneering sound with new audiences.
Listeners can discover the influential discography of Portion Control through the dedicated industrial and electronic music stations available on onairium.com, where their groundbreaking work is regularly featured and celebrated.
