photos by Sarja Hasan, words by Woodrow Mousecock

Cockney Rejects @ MHOW, 2/22/2013

This past Friday night (2/22) seemingly all of the old skinheads in the TriState Area made a pilgrimage to Williamsburg for the first ever NYC show by the Cockney Rejects whose tour hit that night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The venue was filled up from the get go with NYC Oi stalwarts The Templars kicking off the show. Next up were Murphy's Law who's singer Jimmy Gestapo might just be the Don Rickles of Hardcore. Not sure which is more fun -- watching him sing songs or talk shit between them. California's Youth Brigade went next and brought the California street punk.

Then it was time for the Cockney Rejects. From the minute they took the stage with "We Are The Firm," it was clear that they were excited to finally be playing in New York City. Brothers Jeff and Mick Geggus (singer and guitarist), the two original members, looked and moved like the former standout amateur boxers that they are. Both guys bounced around the stage like they were ready for a punch up all night long. If you had just walked into the show, you might have though you were at a West Ham Football Club Rally with all the jerseys and also the massive "NYC Hammers" banner hanging onstage behind the band. (The NYC Hammers are a loosely affiliated group of skinheads and casuals who support the West Ham club.) Hell, if there were a group of supporters of another club in NYC that were crazy enough to fight them, then you might even call them hooligans. The club turned into a drunken singsong / near riot when the Rejects played their cover of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," a song traditionally sung by West Ham supporters. The Rejects closed the show with their 1980 hit "Oi Oi Oi" which gave the genre it's name. How fitting.

More pictures from MHOW (though unfortunately none of The Templars) are below.

Continue reading "Cockney Rejects & Youth Brigade played Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Murphy's Law & The Templars (pics, review)"

Cockney Rejects

Late '70s UK Oi! originators Cockney Rejects and '80s LA punks Youth Brigade are teaming up for a North American tour this February. The tour hits NYC on February 22 at Music Hall of Williamsburg with long-running NYC punk band Murphy's Law and Long Island's The Templars. Tickets for the MHOW show go on AmEx presale today (10/31) at noon with a general on-sale starting Friday (11/2) at noon. All tour dates are listed below.

Speaking of long running punk bands, as mentioned, the Bouncing Souls are doing their annual holiday shows at The Stone Pony (which survived Hurricane Sandy) from December 26 to 29. Since we last spoke, the openers for those shows have been announced. On 12/26 it's Paint It Black, The Curse, and Go! for the Throat; on 12/27 it's Man Overboard, Trapped Under Ice, and Born Annoying; on 12/28 it's The Casualties, Grey Area, and Team Vibes; and on 12/29 it's Barstool Prophets, Forgetters (who also have a new album and a Brooklyn show on the way), Make Do and Mend, and Wet Witch. Tickets for those shows are on sale now.

A list of all Cockney Rejects/Youth Brigade tour dates, the tour flyer, and some videos below.

Continue reading "Cockney Rejects & Youth Brigade touring; Casualties, Paint It Black & more opening Bouncing Souls holiday shows (dates)"

by BBG

NOT Sham 69, but Cockney Rejects

Bad news from the Sham 69 (Pursey/Parsons) camp...

"In March my father was diagnosed with asbestosis lung cancer. Since then the situation for my family has got worse and my fathers prognosis is not good as it has just become apparent that he has the most aggressive form. We have just been told that he now only has weeks to live and indeed his condition is already deteriorating. My family has only recently lost my mother so this makes it very difficult for me not to be here for my father and family. You will have to forgive me but I have to tell you now so you can at least have time to inform all fans. I am so sorry for this situation." - Jimmy Pursey

The news means the cancellation of all US dates; the NYC show has been scrapped altogether (refunds available via the point of purchase), but Sham 69 was replaced by oi greats Cockney Rejects at Chaos in Tejas and Punk Rock Bowling. Tickets are still available for both Punk Rock Bowling and Chaos in Tejas in various increments (festival passes, shows by day, etc).

Check out the latest Chaos in Tejas flyer, along with some Cockney Rejects videos below.

Continue reading "Sham 69 cancels all dates due to family emergency; Cockney Rejects take their place @ Chaos & PR Bowling"