GBH (band)


GBH are an English punk rock band which was formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy and drummer Andy "Wilf" Williams.

Background

GBH were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed "UK82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited, and The Varukers. GBH have gone on to influence several punk rock musicians, as well as metal, including the early Bathory albums.
The name GBH 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 GBH Again 12" EP. 1989 saw the arrival of German drummer Kai Reder who played on three albums, as well as the Wot a Bargain 12". Kai was replaced by American Joe "Fish" Montanero for one album ; this was the band's last release for the Rough Justice label. The drum stool was then occupied from around 1994 by former Bomb Disneyland/Bomb Everything drummer Scott Preece, who has remained to this day and played on all releases since.
Throughout their recording history, the band has often included a cover version on many of their albums. "Boston Babies" originally recorded by Slaughter and The Dogs, "I Feel Alright" from The Damned and The Stooges, "Avenues and Alleyways" by Tony Christie, "Needle In A Haystack" originally by The Velvelettes, "Destroy" by The Vibrators, "I Need Energy" by Zero Boys.

Biography

GBH embarked on several English and mainland US tours during the early 1980s, including several gigs at the 100 Club. 1982 saw the release of GBH's first LP, City Baby Attacked by Rats, which reached No. 17 in the UK Albums Chart, as well as No. 2 in the UK Indie Chart. The band’s singles had also reached the UK Indie Chart, leading to an appearance on the UK TV programme The Tube, where they performed "Give Me Fire". Lyrically, the album dealt with criticism of British and European culture, violence, morbidity, atheism, nihilism and humour. Musically, the album was loud and fast, with few songs exceeding three minutes. The success of the first album was repeated with their second LP, City Babys Revenge, in 1983 and saw more extensive touring in America and Europe and higher profile UK shows, including the Carlisle Punk Festival. With the Carlisle Punk Festival the band co-headlined with fellow UK82 stalwarts The Exploited, and shared the bill with the likes of Toy Dolls, Chelsea, and The Destructors. In 1984, the band dropped the "Charged" from their name and became just GBH.
They and many of their UK82 peers such as The Exploited, Picture Frame Seduction, Discharge, and The Varukers have all enjoyed success among punks in the United States. Although many of their contemporaries have evolved towards other styles over the years, GBH have remained fairly faithful to their original UK82 sound in subsequent releases. However, the band have experimented to some degree with a more speed metal-inflected sound, notably with their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped, although they have since returned to a more punk sound. They have enjoyed a mixed reception from the music press, with 1993's album, From Here To Reality, being described by the NME as "having no redeeming features whatsoever".
The band is still active and touring and maintain a strong following both in the UK and the rest of Europe, as well as in the United States and Japan. The band released their twelfth studio album, Momentum, on Hellcat Records in 2017.

Band members

Current
Former
Timeline

Discography

;Studio albums
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1982City Baby Attacked by RatsClay
1983City Babys RevengeClay
1986Midnight Madness and BeyondRough Justice
1987No Need To PanicRough Justice
1989A Fridge Too FarRough Justice
1990From Here To RealityRough Justice
1992Church of the Truly WarpedRough Justice
1996Punk JunkiesWe Bite
2002Ha HaGo Kart
2004Cruel and UnusualIdol
2010Perfume and PissHellcat
2017MomentumHellcat

;Mini album
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1981Leather, Bristles, Studs, And AcneClay

;Split mini albums
Year of releaseTitleFeaturingLabel
1998Punk As FuckBillyclubIdol
2001Punk Rock AmbulanceBillyclubIdol

;12 inch EPs / singles
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1984Do What You DoClay
1986Oh No, It's GBH AgainRough Justice
1988Wot A BargainRough Justice

;7 inch EPs / singles
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1982No SurvivorsClay
1982Sick BoyClay
1982Give Me Fire / Man TrapClay
1983Catch 23 / HellholeClay
1984Do What You DoClay

;Live albums
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1989No SurvivorsClay
1993Live In JapanAnagram
1996Celebrity Live Style Cleopatra
2014Dover Showplace 1983Cleopatra
2015Live At The Ace Brixton 1983Radiation Reissues
2016City Baby Attacked By Rats Secret Records

;Compilation albums
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1982Leather, Bristles, No Survivors & Sick BoysClay
1986Clay Years 1981-1984Clay
1989No Survivors '83Clay
1992The Clay RecordingsClay
1995The Clay Punk Singles CollectionClay
1999Punk Rock HitsCleopatra
2002The Punk Singles 1981-84Castle
2005Dead on Arrival: A Punk Rock AnthologySanctuary
2007Race Against Time: The Complete Clay RecordingsCastle

;Demos
Year of releaseTitle
19801980 Demo
1980Practice 1980

;Compilation appearances
Year of releaseTitleLabel
1981Punk And DisorderlyAbstract/Posh Boy
1982Burning Ambitions: A History Of PunkCherry Red
1982Punk And Disorderly - Further ChargesAnagram
1999A Triple Dose Of Punk - 60 Song box setCleopatra

DVDs and videos