Sham 69
Sham 69 is an English punk rock band that formed in Hersham in 1976. The band was one of the most successful punk bands in the United Kingdom, achieving five Top 20 singles. The original unit broke up in 1979, with frontman Jimmy Pursey moving on to pursue a solo career.
In 1987 Pursey and guitarist David Parsons reformed the band, joined by new personnel. Although subsequently going through a number of lineup changes, Sham 69 remains active and is still playing shows as of 2015.
History
Formation
Sham 69 formed in Hersham in 1976. The band's name is said to have derived from a piece of graffiti that founder Jimmy Pursey saw on a wall. It originally said Walton and Hersham '69 but had partly faded away, and made reference to when Walton & Hersham F.C. secured the Athenian League title in 1969.
The 12 November 1976 issue of NME noted that Sham 69 was rehearsing in 1976, although only Pursey would remain from this early line-up twelve months later. Sham 69 did not have the art school background of many English punk bands of the time, and brought in football chant backup vocals and an inarticulate political populism. The band attracted a large skinhead following (left wing, right wing and non-political). Their concerts were plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after a 1979 concert at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park was broken up by National Front-supporting white power skinheads fighting and rushing the stage.
Podcasts:
Sham 69
ALBUMS
- Who Killed Joe Public released: 2010
- Western Culture released: 2007
- The Albums released: 2005
- Borstal Breakout: The Complete Sham 69 Live released: 2004
- The Punk Singles Collection 1977–80 released: 2004
- Cockney Cowboys the Very Best Of released: 2003
- At the BBC released: 2003
- Greatest Hits Live released: 2001
- If the Kids Are United: The Best of Sham 69 released: 2001
- The Best of Sham 69: Cockney Kids Are Innocent released: 2001
- Rarities 1977–80 released: 2000
- Live in Italy released: 1999
- Angels With Dirty Faces released: 1999
- Borstal Breakout released: 1998
- The Best of released: 1997
- The A Files released: 1997
- Tell Us the Truth released: 1996
- Information Libre released: 1995
- Live and Loud!! released: 1995
- Soapy Water & Mister Marmalade released: 1995
- Kings & Queens released: 1995
- Live released: 1995
- The Adventures of Hersham Boys / The Game released: 1994
- BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert released: 1993
- The First, the Best and the Last released: 1992
- Live at CBGB's 1988 released: 1991
- Live at the Roxy Club released: 1990
- The Best of & The Rest of Sham 69 released: 1989
- Tell Us the Truth / That's Life released: 1989
- Shams Last Stand: The Best of Sham 69 Live!! released: 1989
- The Best of & The Rest of Live released: 1989
- The Complete Sham 69 Live released: 1989
- Live and Loud, Volume 2 released: 1988
- Live and Loud released: 1987
- Angels With Dirty Faces: The Best of Sham 69 released: 1986
- The Game released: 1980
- The Adventures of Hersham Boys released: 1979
- Rare and Unreleased released:
- The Complete Collection released:
- The Very Best of the Hersham Boys released:
- That’s Life released:
The Punk Singles Collection 1977–80
Released 2004- I Don't Wanna
- Ulster
- Red London
- What Have We Got
- Borstal Breakout
- Hey Little Rich Boy
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- The Cockney Kids Are Innocent
- If the Kids Are United
- Sunday Morning Nightmare
- Hurry Up Harry
- No Entry
- Questions and Answers
- I Gotta Survive
- With a Little Help From My Friends
- Hersham Boys
- I Don't Wanna
- Rip Off
- I'm a Man, I'm a Boy
- Tell Us the Truth
- You're a Better Man Than I
- Give a Dog a Bone
- Tell the Children
- Jack
- Unite and Win
- I'm a Man
Cockney Cowboys the Very Best Of
Released 2003- What Have We Got (live)
- Ulster (live)
- I Don't Wanna (live)
- Rip Off (live)
- They Don't Understand (live)
- Tell Us The Truth
- Hey Little Rich Boy
- Borstal Breakout (7" version)
- Cockney Kids Are Innocent
- Hurry Up Harry
- No Entry
- Sunday Morning Nightmare
- angel with drity face
- Hersham Boys (12" version)
- You're Better Man Than I
- Poor Cow
- question and answers
- Unite And Win
- Borstal Breakout (live)
- If The Kids Are United
The Best of Sham 69: Cockney Kids Are Innocent
Released 2001- Hurry Up Harry
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- If the Kids Are United
- Hersham Boys
- Questions and Answers
- Borstal Breakout
- Tell Us the Truth
- Family Life
- Cockney Kids Are Innocent
- That's Life
- You're a Better Man Than I
- Money
- Joey's on the Street
- Tell the Children
- Unite and Win
- Poor Cow
- The Game
- What Have We Got
- Hey Little Rich Boy
- We Gotta Fight
Rarities 1977–80
Released 2000- Borstal Breakout
- George Davis Is Innocent
- They Don't Understand
- T.V. Times
- Johnny's on the Street Again
- Broken Dreams
- We Who Dare to Win
- Freeman
- So Long to Find Out
- I'm a Man
- Money Don't Make It Right
- Everything's Alright
- Poor Cow
- The Game
- I'm on the Run I
- Susie
- Someone's Gonna Help Me
- I'm on the Run II
Angels With Dirty Faces
Released 1999- I Don't Wanna (live)
- Ulster (live)
- Red London (live)
- Borstal Breakout
- We Got a Fight (live)
- Rip Off
- George Davis Is Innocent
- They Don't Understand
- Family Life
- Hey Little Rich Boy
- Tell Us the Truth
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- If the Kids Are United
- Leave Me Alone
- Who Gives a Damn
- That's Life
- Hurry Up Harry
- Evil Way
- Sunday Morning Nightmare
- Is This Me or Is This You
The Best of
Released 1997- Borstal Breakout
- Family Life
- Tell Us the Truth
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- The Cockney Kids Are Innocent
- If the Kids Are United
- Hurry Up Harry
- That's Life
- Questions and Answers
- Hersham Boys
- You're a Better Man Than I
- Money
- Joey's on the Street
- Tell the Children
- Unite and Win
- Poor Cow
- The Game
- What Have We Got
Live and Loud!!
Released 1995- Angels With Dirty Faces
- Tell Us the Truth
- Questions and Answers
- Joey's on the Street Again
- Borstal Breakout
- Red London
- Hersham Boys
- That's Life
- Mister You're a Better Man
- Money
- Poor Cow
- White Riot
- They Don't Understand
- If the Kids Are United
- Let's Face It
- Hit Me
- English Wipe Out
- Stranger
- Feelin' Allright With the Crew
- The Boys in the Gang
- Me and My Desire
- The Biggest Prize in Sport
- Fun Thing
- Hollywood
- Inside Out
- Homicide
The Best of & The Rest of Live
Released 1989- Intro (live)
- What Have We Got (live)
- Red London (live)
- Voices (live)
- Angel With Dirty Faces (live)
- Questions and Answers (live)
- That's Life (live)
- Borstal Breakout (live)
- Everybody's Innocent (live)
- Joey's on the Street Again (live)
- They Don't Understand (live)
- Tell Us the Truth (live)
- Hersham Boys (live)
- James Dean (live)
- White Riot (live)
- If the Kids Are United (live)
The Complete Collection
- Borstal Breakout
- Hey Little Rich Boy
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- Cockney Kids Are Innocent
- If the Kids Are United
- Sunday Morning Nightmare
- Hurry Up Harry
- Questions and Answers
- Hersham Boys
- Give a Dog a Bone
- You're a Better Man Than I
- Tell the Children
- Unite and Win
- Rip and Tear
- Outside the Warehouse
- Ban the Gun
The Very Best of the Hersham Boys
- Angels With Dirty Faces
- If the Kids Are United
- Hurry Up Harry
- Questions and Answers
- Hersham Boys
- You’re a Better Man Than I
- Tell the Children
- Who Gives a Damn
- Lost on Highway 46
- I’m a Man I’m a Boy
- Tell Us the Truth
- Borstal Breakout
- Fly Dark Angel
- Wee Gotta Fight (live)
- They Don’t Understand (live)
- Ulster (live)
- Joey’s on the Street
- Win or Lose
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Soapy Water & Mr Marmalade
by: Sham 69A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
You gotta cheap smile you got it from the government
You've gotta go to work it feels just like a punishment
Ain't got a job I'm outta my head
I think I'll spend the day in bed
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
I wanna have a fag I need some Marijuana
Yeah a David Bowie song that day by the river
Ain't got a job I'm outta my head
I think I'll spend the day in bed
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
A tenner in my pocket but what's it for
You're only going to do what you did before
The telephones ringing there's someone at the door
Yeah I've gotta write a letter I feel it in the weather
Ain't got a job I'm outta my head
I think I'll spend the day in bed
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
Otis Redding on the dock of the bay
I'll spend the tenner on a takeaway
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