![]() ![]() The band reformed in 2001 and released the album ‘SONS OF SPARTACUS’ which featured Tony Van Frater (previously of Red Alert) on guitar and co writer (with Mensi) of the songs. Infamous skinhead Nicky Crane on a poster for the 1981 compilation album, Strength Thru Oi. But Skrewdriver refused and dug in, which meant alienating the mainstream music establishment. Some, like Sham 69, heeded RAR’s call, and went on to find success. Angel Dust (The Collected Highs,1983) was a useful compilation of their best early work. One of RAR’s main functions was to pressure bands to denounce their racist fans. The band went on to release a number of successful albums and minor hit singles before splitting in 1983. However the band were anti-violent and anti-racist. With the UK hit singles, ‘I’m An Upstart’ and ‘Teenage Warning’(both 1979), they focused on the plight of the working class. Unfortunatly, for the band, some of their fans were violent and racist skinheads who caused many fights at their gigs. The band’s wholehearted delivery coupled with their denunciation of racism – a particularly admirable stance at a time when other ‘skinhead bands’, were flirting with right wing elements – made the album a classic. ![]() The band then signed to Warner Brothers, Pursey producing the L.P. It’s attack on police brutality earned them an early patron in Sham 69’s Jimmy Pursey, who chased a similar constituency of disaffected working-class fans. Sham 69 live at Islington Academy, London 22.1.22 (pic Cris Watkins / PunkInFocus) (click pic to enlarge) Tension noticeably mounts as it gets near Sham 69 ’s stage time. The single was then picked up by Small Wonder Records who released it nationally. The band paid for the recording and pressing of 500 singles which they released themselves and sold at gigs and local record shops. The Angelic Upstarts launched their punk crusade with the independently released single ‘The Murder of Liddle Towers’ in 1978. The original line up consisted of Mensi (vocals), Mond (guitar), Steve Forsten (bass) and Decca Wade (drums). Mensi was always liable to provoke reaction, his lyrics making much of his working class roots, and lashing out at police and politicians. Influenced by bands such as The Clash and The Sex Pistols, The Angelic Upstarts are a meeting of working class ideology and musical aspiration. Working class punk band with strong anti-fascist views and beliefs. At a concert at London's Rainbow Theatre in. Angelic Upstarts formed way back in 1977 in South Shields, North-East England. Sham 69 alienated large sections of their own audience when they decided to support Rock Against Racism.
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