After much deliberation Jimmy Pursey, founder member and singer with iconic punk band, Sham 69, reformed the band once more, with 1977 line up featuring Dave Parsons on guitar and Dave Tregunna on bass , they played a long awaited gig at London’s new venue, Electric Brixton, on Saturday 29th October 2011. It was a massive success with a heart warming response from a receptive eclectic crowd .
Jimmy formed the band in Hersham in 1975, Sham 69 became one of London’s must go see bands. Their first single, “I Don’t Wanna” , produced by John Cale (formerly of Velvet Underground) was released on Step Forward Records in 1977, and its success prompted Polydor Records to sign them up.
1978 was a busy year for Sham 69 - “Borstal Breakout”, released in January, was followed by their first UK chart success with “Angels With Dirty Faces”, which got to number 19 in May. “If The Kids Are United”, the last single to be taken from their debut album, “Tell Us the Truth” reached number 9 in July and “Hurry Up Harry” , taken from the band’s second album, “That’s Life” peaked at number 10 in October.
Many albums, and a few line up changes later, the boys, older and longer in the tooth decided it was time to take to the stage and studio - United once more, to see if the magic and myth was still there. The re-union gig was confirmation, and SHAM 69 return, with a busy schedule for 2012. Concentrating on select gigs & recordings, with deals being offered from far and wide.
For those of you that were too young to catch them live before NOW is the time to go and see them, still as energetic and passionate as ever after all these years .
