UK Subs, the punk legends on a hundred thousand leather jackets,
continue their constant touring regime playing to new generations of
the nation's disaffected punk youth (who were perhaps SUBverted
aged 5, watching Charlie and co on Top of the Pops!)
Inspired by The Damned and The Sex Pistols, they formed late in 1976
as the 'United Kingdom Subversives', soon after shortening their name
and playing all the London punk holes through '77. Two songs, including
their minimalist classic, 'I Live in A Car', appeared on the 'Farewell
To The Roxy' album and after a huge selling indie single in 1978
'C.I.D.', they signed to Gem Records via RCA world-wide.
(pic: Tina Korhonen)
Surprising everyone, they then became one of the most consistently and
visibly successful punk bands with seven consecutive UK Top 30 hits
between 1979-81, establishing themselves throughout the world with a
heavy touring schedule that continues today. The hits were:
'Stranglehold', 'Tomorrow's Girl', The Zombie's 'She's Not
There', 'Warhead', 'Teenage', 'Party In Paris' and '
Keep On Running'. The albums 'Brand New Age' and 'Crash Course'
both went into the UK top ten.
(Powerhouse line-up 1980-1982, L-R Alvin Gibbs, Steve
Roberts, Charlie Harper, Nicky Garrett)
Led by the indefatigable Charlie Harper, the band has continued and
thrived through various line-ups. Touring world-wide for 22 years they
were the first punk band to play behind the Iron Curtain, they've played
stadiums in Argentina, played Croatia during the war in '93 and had songs
covered by Die Toten Hosen and Guns 'n' Roses. All the while, the Subs
maintain and pioneer the true spirit of punk rock.
1997 saw a re-union of the classic Harper/ Garrett/ Gibbs line- up
producing a 20th anniversary album 'Quintessential'. 1999 saw the release
of a 'best of' compilation of the last 15 years entitled 'Sub
Mission', following hot on the heels of the blood- red vinyl 7"single
release, 'Riot '98'.
(New Marquee, 2002. L-R Alvin Gibbs + Charlie Harper)
Into the new millenium the UK Subs completed a World tour and released
the album Time Warp and 7" and CD single The Revolution's Here
on the French label 'Combat Rock Records'.
Would you buy a sticker from these men?
In 2002, and the anniversay of punk, the UK Subs proved that they still are a force
to be reckoned with. Their album, Universal, released on Captain Oi records,
2004/5 promises more intense touring to unchartered UK Subs territories,
including possible tours to Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
