The Gonads formed in Charlton, London in 1977 from the remains of Garry Bushell’s schoolboy band Pink Tent.
The original line-up lasted less than a year, playing at local pubs such as the Lads Of The Village in Charlton and at parties. The band released just one single Stroke My Beachcomber Baby on their own Scrotum label and were completely ignored by the rock press.
But The Gonads attracted a loyal local following and Bushell (aka Gal Gonad) found himself at the forefront of the Oi! movement, managing the Cockney Rejects and compiling the first four Oi! albums (several of which included tracks by The Gonads).
The most famous Gonads line-up included Steve Kent on guitar (later replaced by Steve Whale, Clyde Ward and then JJ Bedsore) and Mark Brennan on bass, with a succession of drummers including, at one stage, Mark Brabbs from Tank.
The band also picked up Oi! poet Garry Johnson as their manager.
The Gonads were famously “street-socialist” and very committed to older working-class traditions. Their Pure Punk For Row People EP included the Anti-Nazi League phone number on the back cover (along with ones for Alcoholics Anonymous and Beki Bondage). The band also supported the Prisoners’ Rights organisation and the League Of Labour Skins.
Classic Gonads recordings such as Jobs Not Jails, Dying For A Pint, Punk Rock Will Never Die, I Lost My Love To A UK Sub (based on a true story), Tucker’s Ruckers Ain’t No Suckers, Hitler Was A Homo, and The Joys Of Oi established them as one of the greatest Oi! bands of the time.
The band drifted apart over the next couple of years until the 1990s when Gal teamed up with old buddies Clyde Ward and Colin Blood to record the original versions of Lager Louts and British Steel. They recruited Casanova Kev on bass and recorded the comeback single Oi! Nutter b/w (What’s The Story?) England’s Glory.
The Gonads toured the USA in 1998 with Rockin’ Dave on guitar and the Romulan on drums. Albums Back & Barking, Schitz-oi-phrenia and Old Boots, No Panties followed. Further albums followed – Live Free, Die Free (2008) and Glorious Bastards (2009).
Garry (Gal Gonad) Bushell
Vocals Steve Kent
Guitar Mark Brennan
Bass Mark Brabbs
Drums Steve Whale
Guitar Clyde Ward
Guitar JJ Bedsore
Guitar Colin Blood
Drums Casanova Kev
Bass Phil McDermott
Guitar James “JC” Cruttwell
Bass Paul Mummery
Drums
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