Glasper - Burning Britain: the history of UK punk 1980-1984

Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984

Ian Glasper

First published in the UK by Cherry Red

This edition 2014 PM Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-60486-748-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013956922

Cover by John Yates / www.stealworks.com

Interior design by briandesign

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PM Press

PO Box 23912

Oakland, CA 94623

www.pmpress.org

Printed in the USA by the Employee Owners of Thomson-Shore in Dexter, Michigan.

www.thomsonshore.com

Dead Katts

Bayonet Babies

Ugen Kampf

The 1983 lineup of Granthams English Dogs (Pic: Mike Stone)

When I wrote Burning Britain back in 20022003, I was writing it for myself. I was literally just writing the book that I wanted to see on my own bookshelves, so it was very gratifying when it chimed with so many people around the world, and I was touched that so many people instantly related with my own instinctive feeling that the early Eighties was the defining era for their own punk rock experience. No ones right or wrong here. It all comes down to when you were born and at what point in your life you got knocked sideways by your first punk rock song.

Im also thrilled that the book seems to have genuine legs and, on the strength of grassroots recommendation alone, has been translated into various languages and keeps finding new enthusiastic audiences around the world all testament of course to the eternal appeal of good honest punk music.

When Burning Britain was published in 2004, I was quite aware that, whilst about as good an account of the early Eighties punk scene as it could be, it wasnt quite complete, and there were certain bands that Id been forced to skip over, and certain individuals I needed to talk to that I didnt, due to the inevitable time and financial constraints and having to meet an ever-looming publishing deadline.

Ten years on, this PM Press edition has given me the opportunity to include some of those bands that werent given their proper due first time around Infa-Riot, The Blood, Ultra Violent, Subculture, Red London, The Actives and Soldiers Of Destruction and also to expand the current sections on Chaos UK, The Destructors and English Dogs with brand new additional interviews with key members that I couldnt locate in time ten years ago. Ive also updated the discographies with some of the major releases since the book was first published. Its still not perfect, but then this isnt a fairytale and nothing ever is, is it? But its still the most comprehensive account of that period youll find anywhere and even more so now.

So, sit back and relax with your favourite scratchy UK82 7 and enjoy this extra content that now complements Burning Britain. And remember, punk rock is an attitude, and as long as someone, somewhere, carries that attitude in their heart and soul, punk rock will never die.

Ian Glasper

2014

Monkey of The Adicts (Picture: Tony mottram)

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT AND ADVICE:

Mark Brennan and all at Captain Oi!; Simon Edwards and Shane Baldwin; Iain McNay, Matt, Alex and all at Cherry Red; Tim Wright, Welshy, Spike, Pete Dont Care, Rebecca Pollard (Punk and Oi In The UK), James Sherry, Steve (Art Of The State), Joel McIver and all at Record Collector; Des, Nosh and Nicky; Silv, Dave and Renn; Ben Williams; Mobs and all of Stampin Ground; Simon Rockaway, Beddis, Pig and Payney; Albert Mudrian and Adam at Feral House; Richard White and Suicide Watch; Seany Rotten, Josh Upstart, Sean Forbes, Stu Decay (Sheffield), Tony Mottram and family; Mick Mercer, Carol Clerk, Chris Berry, Lyndon Henstridge, Deek Allan, Ian Armstrong, Jim (Intimidation); Jonathon Selzer, Damien and all at Terrorizer; Daz (remember Speed Hippy?) and Jennie Russell-Smith; Michael and Andy of Therapy?; Sean McGhee and Martyn Cockbain; Steve and all at Plastic Head, and everyone else that made things happen behind the scenes. A thousand apologies to anyone Ive forgotten.

And of course, all the bands and labels that have put up with me the last two years, for their co-operation and wonderful stories.

Likewise my family and friends for their patience during this long haul. Not least of all my wife, Jo, and daughter, Amy.

Oh, and punk rock becausewell, just because.

This book is respectfully dedicated to the memory of my good friend Dean Uzell, who gave me so much encouragement during its early stages, but is sadly no longer with us. Rest in peace, mate.

Ian Glasper, May 2004

Dead Wretched guitarist, Paul Baz Harding

I n late 1980 I was just thirteen years old, and listening to everything from Adam And The Ants and Killing Joke to the Stray Cats and Shakin Stevens, but when my cousin, Antony Mobs Mowbray played me the Decontrol single by Discharge, my whole perspective on music and ultimately life, the universe and everything changed. All the confused teen angst, all the rebellious cool, all the pent-up frustration and energy I was feeling all seemed to be encapsulated in the incredible roar that emanated from those seven inches of crackling vinyl. My world was turned on its head or rather it was turned on its feet and suddenly a lot of things fell into place for the very first time. Such is the power of music, I still get goose bumps whenever I hear Decontrol.

So, Im not even going to pretend that I was around to witness the first wave of punk come crashing down like a tidal wave on a bloated washed-up music scene back in 1976 just check my birth certificate and do the maths but when the second wave rose up ominously from the gutter and usurped the coveted crown from the preening poseurs I was stood in the front row rubbing my hands with glee.

The tender age of ten was far too young to appreciate the filth and the fury of The Sex Pistols, but four years later, during those most formative early teens, a tentacle reached out from the underground, snaked subversively through my bedroom window and touched me on the shoulder. It doesnt matter where you are, who you are, or how old you are when it happens, all that matters is that when the spirit of punk rock grabs a hold of you, it never ever lets go.

Of course, Id seen the media coverage, and heard folk either scoffing or tutting in outrage at Malcolm McLarens brilliantly orchestrated Jubilee antics, but it had all pretty much passed me by, until one day I suddenly started to wonder about the intriguing names painted amateurishly on the backs of some of my older friends leather jackets. Names like Discharge and The UK Subs, names to be whispered in awe after night had fallen, names to be conjured with, a whole new world to be explored

The soundtrack to our teens usually sets the rhythm that moves us for the rest of our lives, and mine was one long primal scream of distorted guitars, pounding drums and desperately hollered vocals. Yes, a lot of it was played badly, and most of it was badly produced (by todays over-clinical standards, at least), but there was no denying the urgency of these bands. And with no lengthy world tours undertaken to promote each release, they could also be incredibly prolific in a short period of time, sometimes amassing a sizable catalogue in the space of a few years. What they lacked in finesse, they made up for with sheer enthusiasm.