Sham Pistols Live

RELEASE
January 08, 2002
LABEL
Castle Music Ltd.
GENRES
Pop/Rock, British Punk, Punk, Punk/New Wave

Album Review

The story goes something like this -- in the wake of the Sex Pistols' split, pals Steve Jones (guitar) and Paul Cook (drums) looked to form a new band capable of creating as much racket as their previous outfit. Who better to fill the spots vacated by Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious than a pair of Sham 69ers -- Jimmy Pursey (vocals) and Dave Tregunna (bass)? For a brief period during 1979, it looked like the world may have the first punk "supergroup" on its hands, but apart from some big plans and a single show in Glasgow, this promising union failed to pan out. Luckily, some smart bloke had the wherewithal to record their lone show -- issued in 2001 as Sham Pistols Gig. Now before ya get all exciting thinking that the set list consisted of unheard collaborations between both factions, sorry to burst your bubble -- the majority of the set is comprised of Sham 69 tunes, with the odd Sex Pistols song and cover tune thrown in from time to time. But with the top-notch performance and audio (which appears to be a surprisingly clear soundboard recording), this is a worthwhile listen for fans of either band. Highlights include spirited romps through such Sham classics as "Borstal Breakout" and "Hersham Boys," as well as the Pistols' "Pretty Vacant" and "No One Is Innocent," and covers of the Clash's "White Riot" and the Beatles' "Day Tripper."
Greg Prato, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. What Have We Got
  2. I Don't Wanna
  3. Rip Off
  4. Tell Us the Truth
  5. Angels With Dirty Faces
  6. No One Is Innocent
  7. Ulster Boy
  8. They Don't Understand
  9. Borstal Breakout
  10. Hurry up Harry
  11. If the Kids Are United
  12. Voices
  13. Who Gives a Damn
  14. Money
  15. Day Tripper
  16. You're a Better Man Than I
  17. Questions and Answers
  18. Joey's On the Street Again
  19. Borstal Breakout (Reprise)
  20. Hersham Boys
  21. Pretty Vacant
  22. White Riot
  23. If the Kids Are United
  24. What Have We Got