Cock Sparrer
Encyclopedia
Cock Sparrer are a punk rock
band formed in 1972 in the East End of London
, England
. Although they never enjoyed much commercial success, they are considered one of the most influential streetpunk
bands, helping pave the way for the late-1970s punk scene and the Oi!
subgenre. Their songs have been covered by many punk, Oi!, and hardcore
bands.
Their style was influenced by pub rock
, glam rock
and raw 1960s beat music
as delivered by bands like the Small Faces and The Who
. Their lyrics mostly dealt with topics related to the daily lives of working class
people.
Their name derives from their original name, Cock Sparrow, a Cockney
term of familiarity.
s in and around London
, they developed the style that was later to be known as streetpunk or Oi!
. In 1976, the band met with Malcolm McLaren
, who allegedly offered to sign the band alongside his newest discovery, the Sex Pistols
. According to the members of Cock Sparrer, the deal never happened because McLaren refused to buy them a round of beers. Another explanation is that they refused to cut their hair as McLaren wanted.
In 1977, Garrie Lammin (Burge's cousin) joined in as second guitarist
and the band secured a deal with Decca Records
, who were hoping to cash in on the now blooming punk movement. The first Cock Sparrer single was "Runnin' Riot", released in May 1977. It did not sell well, nor did the following singles, and Decca dropped the band in 1978. The band members had already recorded an album's worth of material, which was only released in Spain as Cock Sparrer
and wasn't officially in the UK until Razor Records released it in 1987 as True Grit. Cock Sparrer disbanded in 1980, but in 1981, old Cock Sparrer songs were included on several Oi! compilation albums, and interest in the band began to rise again. They reformed in 1982 and signed to Carrere Records, which released the "England Belongs to Me" single. The next release was the band's debut album Shock Troops
in 1983. It included the songs "Where Are They Now
", "I Got Your Number"' and "Riot Squad." In 1984, Beaufoy left the band and was replaced by Shug O'Neill, who was later replaced by Chris Skepis. The album Running Riot in '84
was released in October 1984.
The band performed several reunion concerts in 1992 (with Daryl Smith as the new second guitarist), and in 1994 they released a new album, Guilty as Charged
. In 1997, they released the album Two Monkeys
. Since then, Cock Sparrer has occasionally toured and has performed sporadically at punk festivals including the Wasted/Rebellion festival. In April 2008 they headlined Rebellion Vienna and also headlined Rebellion Blackpool in August 2008. They also headlined the Punk & Disorderly-Festival in Berlin in 2009. They also played Riotfest in Chicago playing at the Congress Theater on 10/10/09 and headlined the Metro on 10/11/09.
The band released their fifth studio album, Here We Stand, in November 2007.
UFC
fighter Dan Hardy
has used the song "England Belongs to Me" as his walk-out music. "Take 'em All" is often sung by the supporter group ECS at Seattle Sounders FC
matches.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band formed in 1972 in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Although they never enjoyed much commercial success, they are considered one of the most influential streetpunk
Street punk
Street punk is a working class-based genre of punk rock which took shape in the early 1980s, partly as a rebellion against the perceived artistic pretensions of the first wave of British punk. Street punk emerged from the Oi! style, performed by bands such as Sham 69, Angelic Upstarts, Cockney...
bands, helping pave the way for the late-1970s punk scene and the Oi!
Oi!
Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
subgenre. Their songs have been covered by many punk, Oi!, and hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands.
Their style was influenced by pub rock
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
, glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
and raw 1960s beat music
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
as delivered by bands like the Small Faces and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. Their lyrics mostly dealt with topics related to the daily lives of working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
people.
Their name derives from their original name, Cock Sparrow, a Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
term of familiarity.
Career
Cock Sparrer was founded by Colin McFaull, Mick Beaufoy, Steve "Burge" Burgess and Steve Bruce – who had known each other since the age of 11. Playing in nightclubNightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s in and around London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, they developed the style that was later to be known as streetpunk or Oi!
Oi!
Oi! is a working class subgenre of punk rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The music and its associated subculture had the goal of bringing together punks, skinheads and other working-class youths ....
. In 1976, the band met with Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm McLaren
Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren was an English performer, impresario, self-publicist and manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls...
, who allegedly offered to sign the band alongside his newest discovery, the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
. According to the members of Cock Sparrer, the deal never happened because McLaren refused to buy them a round of beers. Another explanation is that they refused to cut their hair as McLaren wanted.
In 1977, Garrie Lammin (Burge's cousin) joined in as second guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and the band secured a deal with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, who were hoping to cash in on the now blooming punk movement. The first Cock Sparrer single was "Runnin' Riot", released in May 1977. It did not sell well, nor did the following singles, and Decca dropped the band in 1978. The band members had already recorded an album's worth of material, which was only released in Spain as Cock Sparrer
Cock Sparrer (album)
Cock Sparrer is the first album by punk rock band Cock Sparrer. It was released in 1978 on Decca Records only in Spain.In 1977 Decca released two singles by Cock Sparrer, "Running Riot" b/w "Sister Suzie" and "We Love You" b/w "Chip on my Shoulder", neither of which achieved much success...
and wasn't officially in the UK until Razor Records released it in 1987 as True Grit. Cock Sparrer disbanded in 1980, but in 1981, old Cock Sparrer songs were included on several Oi! compilation albums, and interest in the band began to rise again. They reformed in 1982 and signed to Carrere Records, which released the "England Belongs to Me" single. The next release was the band's debut album Shock Troops
Shock Troops (album)
Shock Troops is the second album, and the first widely distributed, by punk rock band Cock Sparrer. It was released in 1983 on Razor Records.- Side A :# "Where Are They Now"# "Riot Squad"# "Working"# "Take 'em All"# "We're Coming Back"- Side B :...
in 1983. It included the songs "Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now
"Where Are They Now" is a song recorded by English Oi!/punk rock band Cock Sparrer in 1982, from their album Shock Troops. The lyrics comment on the previous six years of the punk subculture. The song portrays the early years of the punk movement in a negative light, bemoaning the lack of...
", "I Got Your Number"' and "Riot Squad." In 1984, Beaufoy left the band and was replaced by Shug O'Neill, who was later replaced by Chris Skepis. The album Running Riot in '84
Running Riot in '84
Running Riot in '84 is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's third studio album, released in 1984.-Track listing:All titles written by Cock Sparrer# "Run with the Blind"# "Is Anybody There?"# "Price Too High to Pay"# "Think Again"# "Don't Say a Word"...
was released in October 1984.
The band performed several reunion concerts in 1992 (with Daryl Smith as the new second guitarist), and in 1994 they released a new album, Guilty as Charged
Guilty as Charged (album)
Guilty as Charged is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's fourth studio album, released in 1994 on Bitzcore Records. The album was re-released on 24 February 2009, in a remixed and partially-rerecorded form on Captain Oi! Records.-Track listing:# "Get a Rope"...
. In 1997, they released the album Two Monkeys
Two Monkeys
Two Monkeys is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's fifth studio album, released in 1997.-Track listing:# "A.U."# "Before the Flame Dies"# "Tart"# "Lies?"# "East End Girl"# "Anthem"# "Time To Be Me"# "I Live in Marbella"# "Bats Out"# "Battersea Bardot"...
. Since then, Cock Sparrer has occasionally toured and has performed sporadically at punk festivals including the Wasted/Rebellion festival. In April 2008 they headlined Rebellion Vienna and also headlined Rebellion Blackpool in August 2008. They also headlined the Punk & Disorderly-Festival in Berlin in 2009. They also played Riotfest in Chicago playing at the Congress Theater on 10/10/09 and headlined the Metro on 10/11/09.
The band released their fifth studio album, Here We Stand, in November 2007.
UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
fighter Dan Hardy
Dan Hardy
Dan Hardy is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2004, Hardy fought in various promotions such as Cage Force and Cage Warriors before signing a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2008. He was...
has used the song "England Belongs to Me" as his walk-out music. "Take 'em All" is often sung by the supporter group ECS at Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
matches.
Cock Sparrer members
- Colin McFaull – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Mick Beaufoy – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Steve Burgess – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Steve Bruce – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Albums
| Title | Label | Date of Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cock Sparrer Cock Sparrer (album) Cock Sparrer is the first album by punk rock band Cock Sparrer. It was released in 1978 on Decca Records only in Spain.In 1977 Decca released two singles by Cock Sparrer, "Running Riot" b/w "Sister Suzie" and "We Love You" b/w "Chip on my Shoulder", neither of which achieved much success... |
Decca | 1978 | Re-released as True Grit in 1987 |
| Shock Troops Shock Troops (album) Shock Troops is the second album, and the first widely distributed, by punk rock band Cock Sparrer. It was released in 1983 on Razor Records.- Side A :# "Where Are They Now"# "Riot Squad"# "Working"# "Take 'em All"# "We're Coming Back"- Side B :... |
Razor | 1983 | |
| Running Riot in '84 Running Riot in '84 Running Riot in '84 is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's third studio album, released in 1984.-Track listing:All titles written by Cock Sparrer# "Run with the Blind"# "Is Anybody There?"# "Price Too High to Pay"# "Think Again"# "Don't Say a Word"... |
Syndicate | 1984 | |
| Guilty as Charged Guilty as Charged (album) Guilty as Charged is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's fourth studio album, released in 1994 on Bitzcore Records. The album was re-released on 24 February 2009, in a remixed and partially-rerecorded form on Captain Oi! Records.-Track listing:# "Get a Rope"... |
Bitzcore | 1994 | |
| Two Monkeys Two Monkeys Two Monkeys is punk rock band Cock Sparrer's fifth studio album, released in 1997.-Track listing:# "A.U."# "Before the Flame Dies"# "Tart"# "Lies?"# "East End Girl"# "Anthem"# "Time To Be Me"# "I Live in Marbella"# "Bats Out"# "Battersea Bardot"... |
Bitzcore | 1997 | |
| Here We Stand | Captain Oi! | 2007 |
Live albums
- Live and Loud, 1987, Link
- Live: Runnin' Riot Across the USA", 2000
- Back Home, 2003, Captain Oi!
- Back in San Francisco - Live 2009,2010, Pirates Press
Compilations
- Rarities, 1995, Captain Oi!
- Rumours Carry More Weight Than Fact (The Best Of Cock Sparrer) 1996, Step-1
- England Belongs To Me, 1997, Harry May
- Bloody Minded, 1999, Dr. Strange/Bitzcore
- The Best of Cock Sparrer 2004, Recall 2 cd
- The Decca Years, 2006, Captain Oi!
7" Singles
- "Running Riot" b/w "Sister Suzie", 1977, Decca
- "We Love You" b/w "Chip on my Shoulder", 1977, Decca
- "England Belongs to Me" b/w "Argy Bargy", 1982, Carerre
- "Run Away", 1995, Bitzcore
- "Too Late" b/w "Because You're Young", 2007, Captain Oi!
- "Did You Have A Nice Life Without Me?" b/w "So Many Things", 2008, Dirty Punk (French Import)
- "True To Yourself" b/w "Chip On My Shoulder (Live)", 2008, TKO Records
- "Spirit of '76" b/w laser etching, 2008, Pirates Press Records