Bertie Marshall’s Exhibit // First collection of gothic, tribal post-punk on Upset the Rhythm

Bertie Marshall was a founding member of the ‘Bromley Contingent’: an influential strain of the London punk scene alongside Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin & Billy Idol.

The first release of solo 80-90’s work from the frontman of Behaviour Red, founder member of The Bromley Contingent and acclaimed memoirist.

First track lifted from upcoming collection ‘Exhibit’

check it out here

Released 29th October 2021 on Upset The Rhythm

(Photo credit: Peter Brown)

BERTIE MARSHALL is a writer/ performer. He is also an acclaimed memoirist, most well known for his book ‘Berlin Bromley’ (2006) about his transformation from Bertie, an anxious, androgynous, depressed teenager, into Berlin, a teenager who would reject suburban values and become a founding member of punk’s ‘Bromley Contingent’, alongside Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin and Billy Idol. He’s currently working on ‘Looking: Backwards To Go Forwards’, picking up from where ‘Berlin Bromley’ left off. His other books include the debut novel ‘Psychoboys’ (1997), ‘Nowhere Slow’ (2014), ‘From Sleepwalking to Sleepwalking’ (2016), ‘Wild – re write’ (2017), ‘The Peeler’ (2018) and ‘Pete’s Underpants’ (2019). In 2015 the British Library purchased his writing archive.


From 1980-83, Bertie was the frontman for post-punk boundary-pushers Behaviour Red – they released one single (favourably played by John Peel), did a mini-tour and broke up. At various times Behaviour Red featured Noel Blanden of Normil Hawaiians and fine artist Nicola Tyson. Their sound was characterised by looseness and freedom, boasting at times tribal drumming, streams of vocals, dazed guitars and feedback. Bertie continued sketching out atmospheric compositions afterwards too, walking a tightrope between bewildered pop and gothic folk. Central to everything is Bertie’s commanding voice; heartfelt, impassioned and masterfully leading you through the story.

Bertie became interested in spoken word and performance poetry in the 90s, which then led him into writing and performing in his own plays and devised theatre pieces. He did regular readings and performances in NYC and began writing books inspired by the visceral talents of Acker & Burroughs. Having lived in Berlin, San Francisco, and Brittany, Bertie now lives in London.

October 29th sees Upset The Rhythm release ‘Exhibit’ by Bertie Marshall, collecting for the first time his songs and spoken word tracks from this fertile period of the 80s-90s. This album will be released on limited 180g black vinyl, CD and digitally too.

Bertie Marshall – Exhibit (29th October) – Upset The Rhythm

01. Ke Ke Ke Ke Ke Ya

02.Talk To Tapestries

03. The World Is Round

04. The Old Man Carrying A Black Bag Is In Their Garden

05. Chihuahua Talking Dog

06. St Mar

07. Meshes Over Morning

08. Offerings

09. Shaking Johnny

10. The Tattoo Breathes

11. Little Red Sports Car 12. Commit To Fire

13.Authores