For
years I have had mixed feelings about Jimmy Pursey and his Cockney
Cowboys. My first introduction to the music of Sham 69 was at an under
18's disco in East Kilbride where a group of young scallywags, myself
included, would pogo our collective 12 year old puny bodies to "Hersham
Boys". We thought we were the coolest lads at the disco and were
completely oblivious to the unsavoury elements that were in evidence at a
Sham gig. The band did not have the art school background of many of
the punk bands of that era and sadly attracted a large right wing
skinhead audience, often resulting in violence at their live shows. They had their 3 minutes
of infamy in the late 70's and early 80's with 3 Top 10 hits.
They
are probably remembered more today for the frequent violence at their
gigs but should also be remembered for some great tunes and, for me
personally, some great nights in East Kilbride jumping ten feet in the
air with your legs splayed somehow thinking it would impress the girl
you had your eye on. Such innocent times....
A couple of months ago the day after Max watched Punk Britannia, Max asked me "Got any Sham 69" he had gone from the Pistols through Pil and through the Clash to Sham 69 in less than a fortnight. This prompted a discussion at the football that afternoon between me and Stiff as to where he was going next and we both agreed anywhere but the Cockney Rejects, god forbid.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a step too far. Good to see Max is getting a good musical education. Reminds me of a good mate who filmed my evening wedding reception on a video tape that he recorded over and at the end after the reception finished there was his 5 year old daughter performing "Baggy Trousers". Priceless.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Jimmy Pursey embarrassed/ashamed/annoyed/disgusted with the right-wing element that turned up at his gigs?
ReplyDeleteI believe he was George, but sadly the right wing fans and the violence are still attached to any biogs of the band when people should remember the sometimes great music they made.
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