(4 / 5)
Charged G.B.H., commonly known as G.B.H. since 1984, have been going for 40 years since they formed in Birmingham.
The three originals of Abrahall, Blyth and Lomas (he came in on bass on their third show in 1978) are still flying the G.B.H. flag today. Scott Preece on drums since 1994.
The punk band formed by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin “Jock” Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy (replaced by Ross Lomas after two shows) and drummer Andy “Wilf” Williams, were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed “UK82”.
The name G.B.H. was inspired by then-bassist Sean McCarthy’s trial for grievous bodily harm. Though the core line up of Colin, Ross and Jock has stayed the same throughout their history, the drum stool has been occupied by a number of incumbents following Wilf’s departure after the “Midnight Madness and Beyond” album and “Oh No, It’s G.B.H. Again” 12″ EP.
A new bumper 64-track, four disc box set to be released by Captain Oi! records later this month, captures the most successful and influential years of the hard core punk legends Charged G.B.H. between 1981 and 1984.
The first disc contains the band’s first release, the “Leather, Bristles, Studs And Acne” LP, which reached the Indie Chart Top Ten in 1981 and now comes with the addition of the “Sick Boy” and “No Survivors” singles.
The second disc is their debut LP “City Baby Attacked By Rats”, an Indie Chart No.2 hit in 1982, which now comes with the addition of the hit single “Give Me Fire”.
“City Babys Revenge”, the band’s second studio album and an Independent Chart Top Ten entry, fills the third disc here, with the bonus of the “Catch 23” and “Do What You Do” singles.
The final disc, “No Survivors”, is a dynamic 14-track live “in concert” from 1983. The 20-page booklet with the set, features detailed liner notes, pictures of all relevant record sleeves plus memorabilia from the time.
G.B.H. are long held as an influence by the likes of Rancid and also Slayer, who covered “Sick Boy” on their 1996 LP “Undisputed Attitude”.
Still going strong to this day, featuring three original members, the band have just issued their latest album “Momentum” for Hellcat Records. They completed a 25-date tour of the USA and Canada in May and June this year.
By Andy Faith
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’ (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
