Oi! punks. Here are 3 chords... now form a band

Posted by: Disposable hero on 14 November 2012

Much controversy has surrounded the recent Rolling Stones concert tour ticket prices, but one thing I saw in terms of "alternatives" has been from the early British punk scene. I only listen to most punk rock retrospectively since the scene was declared dead before I was born, the bands and music still live on though. Namely I've seen that Cock Sparrer, Sham 69 (a 35th anniversary tour), The Cockney Rejects among others are still touring. Were any of you around to see the beginnings of the Oi! punk/street punk scene and gone to see any of these bands, pretty much what was on the Captain Oi! label?

I'd like to get my own punk band signed one day, so far it consists of me only (on guitar) going by the band title of The Elegant Plebs. It is really a Mac GarageBand project at the moment but eventually the ultimate aim is to be on the Naim Label as the first ever Oi!-street-hardcore derived punk band, and yes very much in glorious high-res 24 bit. Some other influences include the American hardcore scene : Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, plus some mainstreamers such as Rancid, Dropkick Murphys and certainly all the way back to The Ramones.

Does anyone have fond memories of the punk scene as it started (and ended) for the music and live shows that had arguably formed the most explosive and energetic musical scene ever?

 

Posted on: 14 November 2012 by ChrisH

I was also a little bit onthe young side when punk boomed for its couple of years, but I have great memories of my first gig at Birmingham Odeon, and also the last gig that was held there ( which was probably what finished it off!)

First gig was 1979. Siouxsie and the Banshees supported by the Cure and Spizz Energi, with Robert Smith playing guitar for the Banshees coz the drummer and guitarist left on the eve of the tour.

last one at the Odeon was 1985 I think, when I saw The Ramones. Front stalls ticket, most of the time crushed up against the stage, and a brief stage incursion during one of the encores.

Awesome gigs.

Ive seen most of the legends of punk in later times, but , just sorry I didn't get to see them when the scene was at its peak.

If you like Oi!, try Skinfull (from Coventry). very entertaining live!

 

Look forward to downloading the first Oi!/ Streetpunk high res download by your future band!

Posted on: 15 November 2012 by chimp

I was old enough, just, but my location well and truly screwed going to see any of my favourites ( John o Groats) but seeing them all on totp was very exciting. I moved to London in 93 and found the love of my life. she was also into punk and the alternative scene, and while she was living in Birmingham, where she hails from managed to see the Damned many times, The Clash, The Ramones, Stranglers The Beat etc. I am very jealous of her but the funny thing is she doesn't remember half the gigs she went to, the only proof she has is the ticket stubs, must have been something she ate or smoked.

Posted on: 15 November 2012 by osprey

I am not sure if I have ever seen any real Oi! punk band live. Closest comes I guess The Exploited which I saw in 1982 (if I recall right) in a music festival in Pori (a small town west coast of Finland). I never saw any (international) mainstreamers at their peak but I did see e.g. Ramones and Buzzcocks in later times. The gigs were still fine and I have some fond memories attached to those.

 

Below is one example what it was like here in 1979.

 

Posted on: 23 November 2012 by Disposable hero

3 former punks so far!  Also I saw that Stiff Little Fingers are currently on tour - try that instead of the Rolling Stones

Posted on: 23 November 2012 by Dave Hedgehog

4 former punks!!!

 

Saw the Dead Kennedys in London many, many moons ago being supported by a band called "Millions of Dead Cops".  Their songs were even faster and shorter than the DK!  I remember that the DK came on ridiculously late and when the gig finished it was early morning and I had to take a night bus to Stratford and then walk all the way back to Romford.  Got home about 5 AM.............

 

Also, I remember seeing a punk band where the fans would all take off their studded belts and swing them around their heads.  Any ideas anyone????

Posted on: 23 November 2012 by Bananahead

I was about the perfect age. I went to a lot of gigs.