Cock Sparrer - Hand On Heart (5th April 2024)

It's been a couple of weeks since the last post so let's get down to business spotlighting the new album from Cock Sparrer and a little look back at some of their previous releases.There's many links to the music so click on them to enjoy.

Hand On Heart - Cock Sparrer
Captain Oi/Cherry Red (UK)
Randale Records (Germany and Europe)
Pirate Press Records (US)
5th April 2024

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 A1 With My Hand On My Heart
A2 Mind Your Own Business
A3 I Belong To You
A4 Rags To Riches
A5 No Way Out
B1 Take It On The Chin
B2 One Way Ticket
B3 Nowhere To Be Found
B4 My Forgotten Dream
B5 Here We Stand

Formats:
CD
CD Limited Edition Book Sleeve - UK
Limited Edition Vinyl LP:

 

Red/Black Splatter LP - UK 

Picture Disc LP - UK and Europe

Oxblood/Blue LP - Germany
Red/White Splatter LP - Germany

Milky Clear LP - USA

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For a band formed in 1972 the catalogue of Cock Sparrer could quite easily be classed as "lacking", especially when you consider the output of bands who have been around just as long. I feel though that it's not the quantity of released titles that defines them but the quality of those titles. 'Hand On Heart' is only their eighth studio album and from what I gather it's their last.

 

Current Line Up:
Colin McFaull – vocals (1972–1978, 1982–1984, 1992–present)
Mick Beaufoy – lead guitar and backing vocals (1972–1978, 1982-1983, 1992–present)
Steve Burgess – bass guitar and backing vocals (1972–1978, 1982–1984, 1992–present)
Steve Bruce – drums (1972–1978, 1982–1984, 1992–present)
Daryl Smith – rhythm guitar and backing vocals (1992–present)
Former Members:
Garrie Lammin – rhythm guitar (1976–1978)
Chris Skepis – rhythm guitar (1982–1984)
Shug O'Neill – lead guitar (1983–1984)

One of the things that stands out about the band is the consistency of line up. As you will see from above, all the original members are still in the band despite the passing of fifty two years. The stability of band members has also meant a consistency to that Cock Sparrer sound that has rarely deviated from the first time I heard them singing "Runnin' Riot" in 1977 to the present day with the new album 'Hand On Heart'.

In 1977 they were signed to Decca and released two singles: "Runnin' Riot" and "We Love You". Decca dropped the band in 1978 and even though they had enough songs for a debut album it never got a UK release, but for some reason it was only issued in Spain as 'Cock Sparrer' (and it got an official UK release as 'True Grit' in 1987 and has since been reissued "unofficially" a number of times in Germany, Russia and on different labels in Europe. It did finally get an Official UK release in 2022 on Captain Oi as part of Cock Sparrer's 50th Anniversary celebrations and was a Limited Edition of 2000 on vinyl). To date I have still never seen a physical copy of the Decca release but did purchase the 'True Grit' album in 1987 released on Razor Records. The band ceased activity in 1978 but caught a new lease of life when a couple of their songs appeared on the Oi! compilations 'Oi! The Album' (1980) and 'Strength Thru Oi!' (1981). In 1982 Cock Sparrer returned with an exceptional single, "England Belongs To Me" followed in 1983 by their "debut album" (in the UK at least) 'Shock Troops'. One more album, 'Running Riot in '84', followed before the band for a second time ceased activity.

In 1992 the band reunited for a second time and played a number of reunion shows and released in 1994 the excellent 'Guilty As Charged' album and 'Two Monkeys' in 1997. Since then the band has toured and played at festivals like Wasted/Rebellion, Punk & Disorderly and Riot Fest in Chicago. 'Here We Stand' album came ten years later in 2007 and then 'Forever' in 2017.

Thanks goodness we haven't had to wait until 2027 for another new album! Have a listen above to the  'Hand On Heart' album.

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My Top Five Cock Sparrer Songs

1 - Because You're Young
2 - We're Coming Back
3 - Chip On My Shoulder
4 - Spirit of '76
5 - Anthem