Cock Sparrer began life in an East Ham school in the late 70s as a knockabout band for mates Colin McFaull, Micky Beaufoy, Steve Burgess and ‘Spider’ Bruce.
By 1976 they were gigging locally, sprinkling their lunatic rock with choice covers from the Small Faces, Humble Pie and T. Rex songbooks, and generally kicking mike stands all over the stage.
The band revived Doc Martens and Sta-Prest trousers years before they became fashionable and built up a massive East End following, particularly in Poplar.
In the process, they also got an undeserved reputation.
The group broke up in April 1978, primarily as a result of signing some moody contracts. When the contracts ran out the band re-formed, returning to the scene in 1982.
Shock Troops (1983) is one of the best punk albums ever recorded, containing gems like Where Are They Now?, Riot Squad(“the wanna fight squad, the shoot on sight squad”,) Take ‘Em All, Watch Your Back, I Got Your Number, and the Clockwork Orange-inspired Droogs Don’t Run.
Colin McFaull Vocals
Micky Beaufoy Guitar
Steve Burgess
Bass
Steve ‘Spider’ Bruce
Drums Garrie Lammin
Guitar Chris Skepis
Guitar Shug O’Neill
Guitar Daryl Smith
Guitar
You May Also Like
Magma French prog rock band Magma were assembled by seismic drummer Christian Vander to relate his operatic…
Golden Earring Formed in 1965 by guitarist George Kooymans, Dutch band Golden Earring worked a basically bubblegum routine…
Heatwave This British-based multiracial disco band were a breeding ground for future top writing and producing talent.…
Splodgenessabounds This eight-piece new wave band from Chislehurst (Kent) provided a messy mix of punk thrash, novelty…
Radiators, The Singer Brian Nichol and guitarist Stephen 'Fess' Parker had played together in a high school band…
Silverhead British band Silverhead arrived on the scene in the early 1970s with an attitude of "we've…
Pointed Sticks, The The Pointed Sticks formed in Vancouver, Canada, in 1977 when singer Nick Jones returned from England…
Fox Noosha Fox (real name Susan Traynor) had been the vocalist with folk-rock band Wooden Horse before…
