Article by: Matt McQuaid
Punk in Britain during the late 70s and early 80s, was one of those rare moments in rock and roll that cemented itself as a memorable mark on the history of the genre. Youth throughout the country were disenchanted with high unemployment, an increasingly tense cold war, and Thatcherism tightening it’s death grip on the English working-class. Kids throughout the country vented their rage by mutilating their hair and picking up guitars, and bands like The Exploited, Abrasive Wheels, Anti-Nowhere League, and Discharge went on to define the genre that became known as UK 82. One of the most memorable bands from that era, Charged GBH, is still going strong.
GBH (short for Grievous Bodily Harm) was founded out of Birmingham, England. “We didn’t think it’d last a week when we first got together,” said founding member Colin Abrahall in a press release. “None of us could really play our instruments or do our specific job within the band. We just kind of winged it for a while. If you were born the day we formed in 1979, you’d be a mature adult now!”
GBH quickly gained traction by playing gigs at the legendary 100 Club and touring throughout Great Britain. In 1982, they released their first full length album, City Baby Attacked by Rats. Since then, they’ve toured throughout the world and released ten studio albums. GBH has announced they are releasing their newest record, Perfume and Piss (Hellcat, 2010), their first album since 2004. The band describes the record as “best album we’ve done in a long, long time.”
The newest single off their album, entitled “Kids Get Down,” shows an evolution from their earlier work in the 80s that seemed to define the classic GBH sound. The single is faster, crisper, has a crazy solo,and generally seems more sophisticated compared to some of their earlier songs such as “Generals” or “No Survivors.” Their sound is almost comparable to contemporary street punk bands such as The Casualties or The Briggs, bands that were surely influenced by the legends.
While the band has been on a number of labels over the years, GBH members indicate they’re quite happy with signing to Hellcat Records, Rancid singer/guitarist Tim Armstrong’s label. Hellcat is the home of a number of other notable punk bands, including Boston’s own Street Dogs and the Unseen.”We’ve been on various dodgy labels in the past and ever since Hellcat first started, we’ve wanted to be associated with it,” stated Abrahall. “To actually sign with Hellcat is a dream come true for us.”
Perfume and Piss hits stores everywhere April 6.
