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Ghost Canyon

Title - 'Friends And Relations'
Artist - U.K. Subs

The U.K. Subs are an English punk band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, and noted as being one of the first street punk bands, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene.

The U.K. Subs were part of the original punk movement in England. The band formed in 1976, initially using the name the Subversives. The band's founder, Charlie Harper selected guitarist Nicky Garratt, bassist Paul Slack, and various drummers (eventually Pete Davis became fairly stable) under the initial name "U.K. Subversives". The London-based band's early line-up changed frequently.

Having released an incredible 22 albums before this one - all staring back in 1979 with Another Kind of Blues and culminating last year with Ziezo - this brand new CD may not be quite that re: "brand new", but it sure as f**k contains songs that any self-respecting U.K. Subs fans (let alone fans of punk, in general) should give their high teeth to own and constantly want to listen to!

Indeed, being touted as a "must have" for the fans, Friends And Relations is a unique collection of super rare tracks featuring U.K. Subs’ front man Charlie Harper - along with four completely unreleased-beforehand tracks, featuring longtime U.K. Subs guitarist Nicky Garratt and bassist Alvin Gibbs!

1. 'Product Supply' - UK Subs
2. 'Rare Disease' - UK Subs
3. 'Embryo' - UK Subs
4. 'Teroristos' - UK Subs
5. 'Phillips Environmental' - UK Subs
6. 'Too Much Reality' - Charlie Harper & Captain Sensible
7. 'Space Virgins' - Charlie Harper & Captain Sensible
8. 'Human Traffic' - Charlie Harper & Captain Sensible
9. 'Kamera' - Charlie Harper & Captain Sensible
10. 'Rebellion Song' - Urban Dogs
11. 'One Foot In The Grave' - Urban Dogs
12. 'Complete Surrender' - Target Generation
13. 'Sail The Wind' - Target Generation
14. 'Think Of Me' - Target Generation
15. 'The Things We Saw' - Target Generation
16. 'King For A Day' - Target Generation

With 2016 marking the U.K. Subs' 40th anniversary, the legendary punk band continues to represent the true spirit of punk rock. Inspired by the Damned at the birth of British punk, here's the lowdown on what to expect on this CD. Firstly, we get some trademark volatile U.K. Subs tracks, that range from the album kickstarter 'Product Supply' and push on through tracks such as 'Rare Disease,' 'Embryo,' 'Teroristos,' and then 'Phillips Environmental.'

Next up is lead singer Charlie Harper (sorry, but every single time I hear that name I think of TV's "Two & A Half Men"!) and his most recent collaborations with The Damned's Captain Sensible. For those not in the know, Captain Sensible (aka Raymond Ian Burns) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist - best know, of course, for being the lead singer of The Damned. Indeed, Sensible co-founded that very same punk rock band, originally playing bass before switching to guitar. He embarked on a solo career during the 1980s, following a UK number one hit with his cover of 'Happy Talk'. Moving on and those tracks are 'Too Much Reality,' 'Space Virgins,' 'Human Traffic,' and then 'Kamera.'

Following along closely behind is Charlie Harper's collaborations with The Vibrator's lead guitarist/singer Knox (under the moniker of Urban Dogs). A couple only, but wow, do you get powerhaus volume for your money here with both 'Rebellion Song' and 'One Foot In The Grave' bruisingly brought forth. Rounding out the CD is the band Target Generation, which was basically the original core of the U.K. Subs venturing off back in the day to do side projects with guitarist Nicky Garratt and longtime U.K. Subs bassist, Alvin Gibbs.

So, from back in 1984, and being released for the first time ever here today, we hear songs such as 'Complete Surrender,' 'Sail The Wind,' 'Think Of Me,' 'The Things We Saw,' and then finally, rounding out this quite frenetic, and yet well-sculptured album, 'King For A Day.' Available on both CD and special clear vinyl, Friends And Relations is pure punk rock dynamite, of that how no doubt. FYI - On the brand new Anti-Nowhere League album, The Cage, they have recorded a tribute song to Charlie Harper, entitled 'Uncle Charlie' ("He's a punk rock God and a rock 'n' roll martyr")!

www.CleopatraRecords.com

www.uksubs.co.uk





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