After much deliberation Jimmy Pursey, founder member and singer with iconic punk band, Sham 69, reformed the band once more, with 1977 line up featuring Dave Parsons on guitar and Dave Tregunna on bass , they played a long awaited gig at London’s new venue, Electric Brixton, on Saturday 29th October 2011.
It was a massive success with a heart warming response from a receptive eclectic crowd .
Something that Jimmy Pursey has been striving at for years.
Jimmy formed the band in Hersham in 1975, Sham 69 became one of London’s must go see bands. Their first single, “I Don’t Wanna” , produced by John Cale (formerly of Velvet Underground) was released on Step Forward Records in 1977, and its success prompted Polydor Records to sign them up.
1978 was a busy year for Sham 69 - “Borstal Breakout”, released in January, was followed by their first UK chart success with “Angels With Dirty Faces”, which got to number 19 in May. “If The Kids Are United”, the last single to be taken from their debut album, “Tell Us the Truth” reached number 9 in July and “Hurry Up Harry” , taken from the band’s second album, “That’s Life” peaked at number 10 in October.
1978 was a busy year for Sham 69 - “Borstal Breakout”, released in January, was followed by their first UK chart success with “Angels With Dirty Faces”, which got to number 19 in May. “If The Kids Are United”, the last single to be taken from their debut album, “Tell Us the Truth” reached number 9 in July and “Hurry Up Harry” , taken from the band’s second album, “That’s Life” peaked at number 10 in October.
Many albums, and a few line up changes later, the boys, older and longer in the tooth decided it was time to take to the stage and studio- United once more, to see if the magic and myth was still there.
The re-union gig was confirmation, and SHAM 69 return, with a busy schedule for 2012. Concentrating on select gigs & recordings, with deals being offered from far and wide.
Brand new images & you tube snippets are available already.
For those of you that were too young to catch them live before, NOW is the time to go and see them, still as energetic and passionate as ever after all these years .
With the fantastic Italian gig under our belt , and the MAAAD experience that was PUNK -BY -THE SEA , A return to Brixton - Electric - due to popular demand was on the agenda ...not before we covered middle england with a one off at Birmingham Ballroom , we discovered The Angry Bombs -( and talented Rob Clarke ) and Girlfixer and we are excited with the new VIBE that is happening .
We did the weekender bender in July 2012 , Brighton - Brixton and don't spare the horses!! amazing support from Running Dogs including PELIROCCO , and the gorgeous up'n'coming talent The Vex . Twas great to share stage with legendary SPEAR OF DESTINY , and l am pleased to say despite the persistant sabotage , there was not one ounce of trouble in the house , an ecclectic crowd , with an age span to be proud of much respect and Fanx to all.
After our own Northern run , Leamington Assembly , such a wicked fun venue , the crowd were fantastic, fanx to the Leamington in house team . and once again our boys The Angry bombs truly a great warm up , fanx for the walk up. Next day at Brudenell Leeds , well testing Punk 'n'roll day but fanx to all involved Cheers to our beloved Matt Sargent and CHELSEA great proper down 'n' dirty punk gig , and well done to Nathan and colleagues for eventually pulling it off !! , coulda got messy. Onto the piste de la resistance ( for now ) Durham Punk Fest -massive fanx to all that made it such a special end to a wicked weekend , The CONNORS and their skeleton crew Steve Stanley for looking after us , and the wonderful Dod and Ugly Punk Dave for their fantastic photographic evidence that the real SHAM 69 is as Valuable as it always was. The crowd were ecclectic and amazingingly receptive , thanks to all the line up and crew , security , barstaff & press truly an awesome gig for all involved !!
New material is being recorded with the current line up and trust me, be it old or new tracks, you won’t be disappointed , everything at present is working progress but the new stuff will not disappoint those trusted loyal Sham fans, and the next generation of intelligent PUNKSTERS *