If somebody had told me back in 1978 that Borstal Breakout would be released nearly 20 years later on a bootleg pink vinyl 7'' with only 300 made,I would be straight on the blower to the funny farm for them. Both songs are the same re-recorded versions that were on the Kings & Queens album so not the originals (and or course,not as good as the originals either) These 7'''s might still be available on ebay for £7 quid if anyone wants one but they might not be either.
For the record,the original Borstal Breakout/Hey Little Rich Boy 7'' is my favourite punk single of all time.
Just a quick word on Friday's gig. I didn't really know what to expect without Pursey but I wasn't disappointed and despite new vocalist Tim being a Millwall supporter,he did a pretty damn good job. He didn't try to be Pursey which I liked and as an East Londoner his style was pretty well suited to the Sham style. They did 3 songs off the last album and off the top of my head Angels With Dirty Faces,Ulster,Red London,I Don't Wanna,They Don't Understand,We Gotta Fight,Who Gives A Damn,Thats Life,The Cockney Kids Are Innocent,Hey Little Rich Boy,Hurry Up Harry,Questions & Answers,Rip Off & Borstal Breakout. Encore Hersham Boys and If The Kids Are United. Me and mate went backstage afterwards and had a good chinwag with the band (some interesting stuff about Jimmy that I won't mention) They had to play at a festival in Poland yesterday where 300,000 people were expected to attend.
More people could of turned up but overall I thought it was an excellent night. Shampoo? Na mate,more like Shamtastic!
Tracks
1) Borstal Breakout
2) If The Kids Are United
http://rapidshare.com/files/377628523/Borstal_Breakout_7____Pink_Vinyl_.rar
As I've never seen this on the net,here is the interview bonus LP that came with Sham's live LP The Best Of The Rest Of Sham 69 Live. Featuring Jimmy Pursey and Dave Parsons talking about all sorts of things (yes,in the same room!) Can anyone out there spot Jimmy's mistake?
A Sham 69 without Jimmy Pursey was at first about unpopular as a Thierry Henry in a Dublin pub and unthinkable to most including me. I saw for myself eariler in the year that its very thinkable indeed and they were great live with new vocalist Tim who's only problem as far as I was concerned was that he is a Millwall fan (and I did mention it to him...jokingly of course) But hey nobody's perfect and his voice suits the band perfectly with his genuine East London roots and Cockney accect.
If somebody had told me back in 1978 that Borstal Breakout would be released nearly 20 years later on a bootleg pink vinyl 7'' with only 300 made,I would be straight on the blower to the funny farm for them. Both songs are the same re-recorded versions that were on the Kings & Queens album so not the originals (and or course,not as good as the originals either) These 7'''s might still be available on ebay for £7 quid if anyone wants one but they might not be either.
Well as I'm off to see Sham tonight in Plymouth,a Sham post seemed appropriate. This was their cover version of The Yardbirds You're A Better Man Than I and in my opinion,a great cover it is too. The back of the picture sleeve is signed by all of the band too. Not so sure about the TOTP's performance though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YghKhoJojrk Look at Purseys hair,Dave Kermits shades and Dave P's strides and you'll see what I mean. Its hardly a Borstal Breakout is it? Any street cred left = out the window!
Requested by gobshyte over at the excellent http://mondo-de-muebles.blogspot.com/ here is the 12'' version of Sham's biggest chart hit. Some may argue it was also their worse! The four B-sides were recorded at the Roundhouse a year eariler and give you a flavour of how their gigs were disrupted by violence (and also what a great live band they were and hopefully still are......I'll soon find out on the 31st July)
A bit of a strange one this starting with the cover! I have no idea why Borstal Breakout is on it with a strange "from London" introduction either. Hey but who cares. Not many bands have got the stick Sham have over the years but they are one of the bands I love. Just heard they are playing down here later in the year too so I'm one happy Longy today!
Another surprisingly quite hard to find Sham cd single for you. This one from 1995.
Today is the birthday of one Jimmy Pursey. Many happy returns Jimbo. To celebrate such an event I bring you another not so easy to find Sham 12'' Tracks 2 and 3 are from the album, Volunteer but the extended version is not on any album.
