GBH

In 1980, four Brummie drinking buddies got together and formed a band inspired by the mid-70s punk acts. Initially called Charged GBH, somehow this rowdy mob of leather-clad former milkmen, jewellers, warehousemen and clerical officers secured a residency at a local pub called the Crown, building up a local following.

They were signed up to Stoke-based Clay Records within a year and released a string of singles and LPs that were to become second-wave punk classics.

They had a violent and aggressive image, sporting multicoloured mohawk haircuts, and dressed in studded leathers and chains.

Musically they combined influences such as The Ramones and Venom into a hardcore, metallic barrage of angst-ridden frustration.

Kai replaced Wilf on drums in 1989, and the band veered away from regimented hardcore towards speed metal. The trend continued with the arrival of new bassist Anthony Morgan.

Even the mohawks had disappeared by the time they toured to promote their 1991 album, Massacre Divine.

GBH earned a reputation for being amongst the most exciting and intense performers on the scene, their gigs a blaze of irreverent punk rock posturing and high-speed savagery. More than any other band, they were to influence the US hardcore street-punk movement.

Albums included Why (1980), Never Again (1981), Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing (1981), City Baby Attacked By Rats (1982), Live at City Garden (1982), City Babies Revenge (1983), Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne (1984), The Clay Years (1986), Grave New World (1986), Midnight Madness and Beyond (1986), The Nightmare Continues (1987), A Fridge Too Far (1989), No Need To Panic (1989) and Massacre Divine (1991).

Col
Vocals
Big Jock
Guitar
Ross
Bass
Wilf
Drums
Kai
Drums
Anthony Morgan
Bass