Log in to your account
Stats
Biography
Originally formed under the name U.K Subversives, lead singer Charlie Harper wanted his band to bridge a divide that Harper felt shouldn’t be there. A rhythm & blues blues singer by trade, he nonetheless felt a strong kinship with the up and coming punk rock movement. In his mind, it shared too many similarities with the thriving, blues influenced pub-rock scene to be separate from it. So in 1976, he put together the first line-up of what would later become the U.K Subs to act as a bridge between the two scenes. Despite the line-up of the band changing frequently at first, the band scored their first session on Radio 1 legend John Peel’s radio show in 1977, and would go on to have several more in the next two years. These sessions were vital to the success of the band, and as a direct result of them they scored a record deal with GEM Records in 1979.
They released their debut album “Another Kind Of Blues” the very same year, and both the album and its lead single “Stranglehold” were top 30 hits on the albums and singles charts. Between 79’ and 81’ the band were hailed as one of the last true punk bands to see mainstream success, with their 1980 album “Crash Course” rocketing into the top ten at number eight. However, they were not able to maintain this kind of success, especially as straight punk rock was becoming increasingly passé in the face of the much cooler New Wave movement. However, Harper and the Subs were far stronger than fashion, and the band kept on going stronger than they ever were, releasing album after album and touring with the likes of The Ramones and Agent Orange all throughout the 1980’s.
The band remain cult heroes to this very day, a band who many more famous acts wouldn’t exist without. Guns N’ Roses themselves paid tribute to them on their covers record “The Spaghetti Incident?” with a version of their track “Down On The Farm”. With a back catalogue of tracks that would make any punk band worth their salt green with envy, and a live show that delivers every single time, the U.K Subs come highly recommended.
Live reviews
Punk is a genre that has been recreated time and time again since the revolution began in the 70s. It has been adapted and changed and merged with genres including pop, rock, grunge and metal. Therefore the fact that London outfit UK Subs can boast to being one of the first street punk bands is a pretty impressive feat.
It is perhaps due to this legacy that vocalist Charlie Harper has remained a constant in the band since its formation in 1976. Their live show is now a piece of history as much as it is a gig as the current quartet attempt to recreate some of the basement intensity of the original punk movement. The fans old and new are completely invested in this mentality and head bang along with hands held high to the likes of 'You Don't Belong' and 'Left For Dead'. Their music is well known as the band remain onstage for over twenty tracks yet the energy never depletes all evening. The punk movement may be a distant memory, but UK Subs are going as strong as ever.
sean-ward
Saw UK Subs , November 2018,at The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool.
What a fantastic performance Charlie, and his band members, put on, awesome, excellent.
The crowd was buzzing Charlie Harper is the main man, he's a legend.
For a guy in his mid 70s he sure knows how to rock, and he sure doesn't look his age,or shows any attempt at slowing down, he's fantastic.
This was the first UK Subs gig I attended and i'll sure be going to future gigs.
Born A Rocker Die A Rocker.
Keep on rocking Charlie.
paul-walker-42
Charlie,coolist man in town and well up for it,how dose he still find the energy.Jamie an energetic experienced drummer of extreme high quality,a sight to behold..put them with the accompliced sound from the 2 guitarist and live in a small venue,,you will struggle to match the constant hit after hit,one after another.one hell of a good night,awesome sound,,,struggle to beat that one..10 out of 10.
stretch9
Get me right
Don't get me wrong
Get me in the alley
Get me in the john
You give me disease
Soldiers of Islem are loading their guns
They're getting ready
but the Russian tanks are mowing them down
They're getting ready
There's children in Africa with tommy guns
Getting ready
While the Islam armies are beckoning on
They're getting ready
craig-bresett
Excellent gig. UK Subs are always great to watch, amazing live performances. They played this one in a small club with around 200 punks going crazy.
Felt very personal and special.
The support bands were very good too.
Good Sunday night out.
Nikimadridista
Absolutely punktastic ! Sold Out Venue !
Whole of Another kind of Blues, most of Brand New Age, Early singles and finishing the night with top track Endangered Species. Band were great and Charlie is The Godfather of Punk!
Pieandpeas
Absolutely fantastic gig Uk Subs and The Barracks were phenomenal and Young Francis was very good as well,can’t believe Charlie Harper is 73 what a legend,the venue was excellent in a lovely part of Hastings
kim-winter
Another brilliant UK Subs gig with the excellent Chron Gen supporting, I have loved going to see the Subs since my early teens 1981 & still can't get enough of seeing them live. Roll on Paris next wednesday!
punk4life66
Had ze al meer dan 15 jaar niet meer gezien,
veel oude nummers gespeeld en Charlie keeps on kicking, jammer van Party in Paris, moest ff
goed luisteren eer ik het herkende maar voor
derest toppie!!!
vasnoa
