The Cortinas

The Profile

The Cortinas were a British punk rock band from Bristol, active 1976–1978. They issued the 1977 singles Fascist Dictator and Defiant Pose and released the album True Romances in 1978 before disbanding.

Formed in Bristol in 1976; opened for The Stranglers at the Roxy (as recalled in the review); 1977 singles: "Fascist Dictator / Television Families" and "Defiant Pose / Independence"; debut album: True Romances (1978); compilation MK. 1 released in 2010.

A Bristol punk snapshot: The Cortinas formed in 1976, cut blazing 1977 singles, and issued the 1978 album True Romances before splitting. The review links the band’s name to Ford’s Cortina, recalls a Roxy opening for The Stranglers, and revisits controversies around Fascist Dictator. MK. 1 (2010) compiles the classic sides and early cuts. Raw, direct punk praised with a wink.