History of The Cockney Rejects

Rarely in the long history of British rock’n’roll has there been a story of such depth, magnitude and sheer turbulence as that of the Cockney Rejects.

The band were formed in the late Seventies in East London as an answer to the art school punk that had dominated the scene up until then.

Fiercely working class in stance and attitude, the band eschewed the political ramblings of punk’s first wave and sang about the circumstances that surrounded them and millions of street kids in Britain’s inner cities- Police harassment, street battles and football to name three.

Signed by EMI after playing four local gigs (less than the pistols!) they found themselves playing sell out tours the length and breadth of the UK and seeing their debut album storm the charts.

Top of the pops appearances followed, which became the stuff of legend as the band generally ran amok in the hallowed White city studios, finally getting banned from the show for their boisterous behavior.

In 1980 the band recorded a riotous version of ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles’ to celebrate the fact that their beloved West Ham United had reached the FA cup final that year, but their devotion to all things claret and blue proved to be their downfall as the gigs became battlegrounds between the band and rival supporters, culminating in the vicious ‘Battle of Birmingham’ that led to serious criminal charges that in turn led to the band being finished as a touring unit.

With the band’s first phase being over, in the interim they were discovered by a brand new fanbase such as US bands Rancid and Green Day, who cherished the Rejects and their terrace punk singalong anthems which, in turn, inspired a new generation of kids to check them out.

Due to overwhelming demand, the band returned to the live circuit in 2000, and have since gone from strength to strength, playing to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe with a live set that is so energetic that it has to be seen to be believed.

With the fractionalization of the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s now gone for good, with every gig becoming a party for fans and band alike, the Cockney Rejects go from strength to strength with a new exciting line up !

After an initial announcement back in 2022 , that the band would finish extensive touring at the end of 2023,the band planned to continue and play festivals and occasional shows from 2024,but after much thought at the end of last year the other members decided they didn’t want to continue into 2024 & decided to call it a day.

After considering the bands future,Jeff Turner the bands original singer, felt it wasnt the end for him and he needed to continue the band as he still had the passion & fire in his heart to get out and play live again & also honour festivals & shows that were already booked for the year ahead .So a new exciting line up has been formed,featuring Olga on guitar from THE TOY DOLLS, on Bass JJ from THE LAST RESORT & Ray Bussey from KNUCKLEDUST & ARGY BARGY !!

Azealia Banks

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