RECORD REVIEWS, JANUARY-JUNE 2026.
THE BOYS. The Singles Collection 2CD (Captain Oi!) The Boys need no introduction in these pages. Elsewhere, that isn’t the case and they remain one of the most under-rated bands to have emerged during the original UK Punk scene of 1976. Their included members who had previously played in legendary proto-punk bands London SS and Hollywood Brats and were closely involved with The Damned and The Clash, while musically they had the knack of blending raw energy, loud guitars and very catchy melodies to create songs that should have dominated the airwaves. That they never achieved a top forty hit remains inexplicable to a level of almost criminal conspiracy. Why weren’t people listening to magnificent songs like ‘First Time’, ‘Kamikaze’ or ‘Brickfield Nights’? It just makes no sense and if you want proof of this travesty, just listen to this compilation. Disc One features all of their singles, from ‘I Don’t Care’ (released in April 1977) through to ‘You Better Move On’ (1980) including the three Xmas-themed singles released under the guise of ‘The Yobs’. Those tongue-in-cheek moments aside, there really isn’t a bad song among this selection and if anything, their songs became even more catchy as they progressed, with elements of Phil Spector and Mott the Hoople adding to their mix. Disc Two takes up the story from the ‘Weekend’ single (1980) and takes us all the way through to an Australian version of ‘Kamikaze’, released in 2025. The band originally split-up in 1982 and didn’t reform until 1999, so the releases are a bit less focused in the years covered here, featuring old tracks from the archives, the novelty football single ‘Svengerland’ (coinciding with the 2002 World Cup) and, since 2014, even some new material. None of the tracks here are bad in any way and actually rather enjoyable at times, but overall they can’t match-up to the high-grade consistency of the first disc. Some of you will already have all of this material, either on original vinyl or other compilations, but it’s great to have it all in one convenient place. Ans as for anyone who hasn’t already got these songs… buy this CD now and we may forgive your oversight. Maybe.
EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS, Teenage Depression / Life on the Line 2CD (Captain Oi!) Undoubtedly one of the best British rock-n’roll bands of the early Seventies, the Hot Rods took their cue as much from the likes of the MC5 and New York Dolls as they did from the more regular pub-rock influences of the time. Alongside Dr Feelgood, they prepared the way for Punk Rock and were more than happy to play alongside the new bands even though they were honest enough to state that they weren’t a punk band themselves (a comment that certain desperate journalists would use against them.) That said, the ‘Teenage Depression’ LP was released in late 1976 and proved to be an instant hit for fans of high energy rock music. Alongside raw rhythm’n’blues and down to earth lyrical subjects, they also showed-off their ability to write catchy, upbeat songs such as the title-track and the equally insistent ‘Writing on the Wall’. But it was their second album,‘Life on the Line’, which proved to be their enduring classic. Released towards the end of 1977, the band had added former Kursall Flyer’s guitarist Graeme Douglas to their ranks, ensuring high levels of energy in the studio even for their new, more radio-friendly tracks like ‘Quit This Town’ and the absolute classic ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’. The album was a bold step forward, moving away from the pub rock style and delivering tales of teen-angst that effortlessly paralleled the early punk bands. They even found space to stretch their boundaries with the lengthy and more ambitious ‘Beginning of the End’ Featuring both albums with 25 bonus tracks (taken from non-LP singles, live recordings and alternate versions) this set really captures the Hot Rods at their best and shows why they were such an essential part of early Punk scene, even if they weren’t a ‘pun k rock’ band. If you haven’t already got these recordings, you really shouldn’t miss this opportunity.
JOHNNY MOPED. Matinee Acoustic Live at the Prince Albert LP (Damaged Goods) I know that there are some people who will be horrified by the mere idea of a Johnny Moped acoustic album, but the proof is in the pint (as they say in Croydon) and this is actually a very entertaining and enjoyable recording. Johnny Moped may have had a few shambolic moments in the past but the current line-up has become surprisingly tight and convincing in recent years and can be relied upon to deliver great sets. That’s not to say that they don’t make mistakes, but in the world of Moped that’s really not a problem. It’s the energy and excitement that still propels them and that’s what the fans love about them. When it comes to acoustic-performances, they’re not a regular occurrence for the band but when they do happen they can be a surprisingly effective format. The songs actually work really well with the amps tuned down, giving plenty of room for the great tunes to rise to the top whilst allowing more time and space for Johnny to chat with the audience in his own inimitable style. Listening to this record, you can clearly hear a band thoroughly enjoying themselves and the infectious atmosphere (no reference to VD Boilers…) is shared with the audience who cheer the band along from start to finish. As I’ve said before, some people just don’t get the Moped vibe and this album isn’t going to change their minds. But at the end of the gig, it’s their loss. Life is much better when you enjoy the Mopeds!
SHAM 69. The Albums 1978-80. CD boxset (Captain Oi!) It’s pretty strange to think how successful and critically acclaimed Sham 69 were when they first burst onto the UK Punk scene in late 77. After one independent single (‘I Don’t Wanna’) they were signed-up by Polydor and quickly found themselves as regular fixtures on Top of the Pops with a succession of hit singles. After some shuffling, the band settled with what would be their ‘classic’ line-up (Jimmy Pursey, Dave Parsons, Dave Treganna and Mark Cain) in time to record their first album, ‘Tell Us the Truth’, released in early 1978 alongside the legendary ‘Borstal Breakout’ 7”. The album took the unusual option of including a live recording on side one (presumably to make the most of the bands’ live reputation) and studio recordings on the second The songs stripped punk down to the basics, featuring a raw guitar sound, a powerful rhythm section, catchy melodies and ‘socially-aware’ lyrics sung in an almost football-terrace style. It’s easy to see why Sham are considered the main precursors to Oi! and street-punk, while some songs would also provide a blueprint for many of the early US Hardcore bands. Their second album, ‘That’s Life’, saw the band expanding their ideas and presenting a ‘punk rock opera’ of sorts. The songs were based around a teenage tale of trying to cope with everyday life, together with characters and dialogue. Jimmy was trying to make a point, although it still remains rather vague as to what it actually was, especially with memorable lines like ‘We’re eating a clockwork orange, but I’m spitting out thew pips’! However, featuring the hit singles ‘Angels with Dirty Faces’ and ‘Hurry Up Harry’ the record comfortably climbed into the Top 30’. Musically, there was still plenty of energy but other influences (The Who, Mott the Hoople etc) were also starting to make their presence known and they would go even further with their next LP, ‘The Adventures of Hersham Boys’. Although it would prove to be their most successful album (partly due to a bonus 12” EP included with initial copies) it was also an album that disappointed a lot of older fans. Although it still featured a bunch of decent songs (the title track also became their biggest hit single, reaching No.6) the overall tone of the album was much more rock-orientated, with a more professional production to match. On top of this. the bands’ gigs were now attracting hordes of skinheads, many of whom were right wing and intent on violence. Sham 69 had never supported right wing ideals and were finding it difficult to deal with. Jimmy decided to end the band with two final gigs in Glasgow and London. For a brief time, Pursey and Treganna were then involved with Steve Jones and Paul Cook in the infamous ‘Sham Pistols’ project, but this fell apart after only a few days of attempted songwriting! Jimmy promptly decided to reinstate Sham 69, but their fourth album, ‘The Game’, in 1980 was patchy and unfocused, failing to reignite their momentum and, with an even harder rock sound. It failed to reach the charts and the band fell-apart once again. Ironically, one final single, ‘Unite and Win’ was released in mid-1980 and musically found the band back on great form, but by that point no-one seemed to be listening. This boxset, including the four albums plus all of their non-LP singles and b-sides, represents the Rise and Fall of Sham 69, documenting their highpoints and considerable legacy alongside their less-successful moments. I know that many are content to ignore them altogether, but for a few years Sham 69 were a truly exciting band and their best moments will still deliver a real adrenalin rush. Play it loud and enjoy the records all over again.