The Straps

The Straps are an English streetpunk band, formed in 1977 in Battersea, South London by vocalist Howard Jackson and guitarists Dave Reeves & Steve MacIntosh & Brad Day on drums [1]

The Straps 2013
The Straps
OriginBattersea, South London, United Kingdom
GenresPunk rock, streetpunk
Years active1978–1983, 1993, 2005–2007, 2011-present
LabelsDonut Records, Cyclops, Strapped for Cash Records, Flicknife Records
Associated actsAndi Sex Gang, Sex Gang Children, Epileptics, the Pack, Theatre of Hate, Spear of Destiny, Crisis, the Wall, Public Image Ltd., the Human Condition, UK Subs, Bartok, Freakshow 1984, Concrete Gods, Morgellons
WebsiteFacebook page
MembersJohn Grant
Dave Reeves
Pete Davies
Phil McDermott
Mark Geraghty
Past membersGreen
Andi Sex Gang
Steve MacIntosh
Andy "Heed" Forbes
Stan Stammers
Luke Rendle
Cliff
Jim Walker
Jonathan Werner
Simon Werner
Pete Davies
Stuart Phillips
Mark Hobbs
Lloyd Dudley

The band played their first gig at the Park Tavern in Streatham on 28 September 1978 with UK Subs, the Tickets and Security Risk & went on to play more gigs around South London with the UK Subs & The Pack. Vocalist Howard Jackson was replaced by John Grant after Jackson failed to turn up to a band rehearsal at a squat in Battersea. John Grant was there along with And Sex Gang & Grant jumped in to help out on vocals & was hired on the spot. [2] Their original bassist, Green, died of a heroin overdose and was temporarily replaced on bass by Grant's roommate, Andi Sex Gang, for a show at the Latchmere Pub in Battersea.

Stan Stammers, a former Epileptics bassist, joined in 1979, and guitarist Steve MacIntosh was replaced by Andy "Heed" Forbes. Drummers in this period included Luke Rendal (previously of Crisis) and the short-lived member Cliff Warby. Stammers and Rendal left to form Theatre Of Hate with Kirk Brandon, while Forbes left to join the Wall.

For the recording of the Straps' debut single, 1980's "Just Can't Take Anymore" (Donut Records), the lineup was Grant, Reeves and three former members of the Pack: Jim Walker (also original drummer of Public Image Ltd.) and brothers Jonathan and Simon Werner. The same lineup recorded their second single, "Brixton," likewise released in 1982 on Walker's Donut label. The band's debut album was issued in 1982 on the Cyclops label. The album featured UK Subs drummer Pete Davies (Walker only played on one track, departing for the Human Condition) and guest appearances by Andi Sex Gang and the Damned's Rat Scabies.

The Straps enjoyed a cult following around London, and performed alongside the Damned on their 1980 Black Album tour, as well as Sham 69 and Stiff Little Fingers, before splitting in 1983.

Frontman Grant and Simon Werner later formed Bartok with Jah Wobble, recording a 12" single, "Insanity" (1983). Grant went on to form Freakshow 1984, performing around the UK without any record releases.

The Straps reformed in 1991 for a one-off gig at the Brixton Academy with other original punk bands including Sham 69, UK Subs and the Lurkers.

In 2005, Captain Oi! Records) issued a Straps compilation, The Punk Collection, and the reunited band (including Grant, Reeves, Stuart Phillips on guitar, Mark Hobbs on bass and Lloyd Dudley on drums) released the limited-edition album In Love With the New World Order to coincide with that year's Rebellion Festival performance.[2] The Straps played the Rebellion Festival three years running, until Grant suffered an accidental knee injury, and they separated again in 2008.

The band returned to the UK gig scene in 2012 for the ill-fated Last Jubilee and Punk by the Sea festivals, with a new lineup of Grant, Reeves, Pete Davies (UK Subs) and two new members: ex-Concrete Gods guitarist Phil McDermott and Morgellons bassist Mark Geraghty. As well as playing a now infamous DIY show in Southsea with Sham 69, UK Subs, Vice Squad and the Defects, this lineup played the legendary 100 Club with Chelsea and sold out a headline show at Camden's Barfly.

In August 2013, the band released their third studio album, Brave New Anger, recorded at Pat Collier's Perry Vale Studios.

The band are still gigging occasionally and playing at "Rebellion Festival" on a regular basis.

Current line up is .. John Grant, Dave Reeves, Pete Davies, John Woodward (Angelic Upstarts), Phil McDermott (The Gonads), Bill Gaynor (The Glorias)

Discography

Studio albums
  • The Straps (1982, Cyclops)
  • In Love With the New World Order (2005, Strapped for Cash Records)
  • Brave New Anger (2013, Flicknife Records)

Singles
  • "Just Can't Take Anymore" / "New Age" (1980, Donut Records)
  • "Brixton" / "No Liquor" (1982, Donut Records)

Compilation albums
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References
  1. The Straps, Punk77.co.uk
  2. "The Straps: Brave New Anger. Class Of 77 Punk Band On How To Survive". Louderthanwar.com. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
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