Their concerts were notoriously plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after one of their gigs at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1978 was broken up by National Front skinheads fighting and rushing the stage. The band had a large skinhead and hooligan following, which helped set the tone for the Oi! movement. Sham 69 lacked the art school background of many rock bands of the time, and brought in football chants, drinking songs and a sort of inarticulate political populism. You are a great rock’n’roll band, just don’t stop!Ī huge thanks to Mick R, Dirt Royal, Angelic Upstarts and Sham 69.Īlso a massive thanks to the Concorde 2 management, security staff and Chris – stage Mgt team.They formed in Hersham, UK in 1976. Great songs, tonnes of energy and a top frontman. They are a great punk/rock and roll band and I finally got to see them and able to photo the set. They are great live and I have to say that as live bands go, I’ve rarely seen many do better. Wow! That was loud and over too quickly! I certainly hope I get a chance to see this line up again. As he climbed back down onto the stage I was treated to a SHAM69 twerk from him! The song finished and goodnight! He stood above my head, dripping with sweat, splashing onto my camera and me, he towered above me. Jimmy nodded at me, winked and smiled as he headed to the pit. We were treated to an extended live version of one of finest punk rock songs I think ever committed to vinyl. “Anyone going down the pub?” asked Mr Pursey, the crowd responded with a huge punk cheer. These guys had been working hard, in that crippling heat for 45 minutes and came out looking fresh and ready for another session! The crowd singing along with the “laced up boots and corduroys”. The band back on stage and Dave parsons delivered the opener for “Hersham Boys” – “yeaaah” screams Pursey. Sham 69 were tight as, pumped and running on adrenaline and the legend that is Jimmy Pursey gives a punk rock performance of snarling pure class. This is one of those classic anthems that closes the set, leaving the few hundred people desperately wanting more, and damn near brings the house down! Robin Guy and Dave Tregunna providing a now deafening barrage of bass and drums as Dave pierced the sound with the famous guitar riff. The singalong continued as the set closed with “If The Kids Are United”. No time to breathe, no time to wipe away the sweat – here comes Sham 69 performing an incendiary, face melting cover of the Clash’s ‘White Riot’ There were plenty of Sham69 fans here tonight to raise a loud, sweaty, rousing chorus! “Borstal Breakout” was up next as Mr Pursey then growled “who’s got a dirty face then?” Dave Parsons kicked his guitar into overdrive and “Angels With Dirty Faces” was next up. Pursey bumping across the stage holding out the mic to the crowd who, true to form, joined in with the chorus. This track was swiftly followed by “That’s Life”, the title track from the sublime album of the same name. The song still full of passion and heart, it was originally released in 1978, and I leave you to find out more about the song. The band was made up with Jimmy Pursey on vocals, Dave Parsons: guitar, Dave Tregunna: bass and the brilliant Robin Guy on drums.
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