HAND ON HEART

Description

The 1st Hardback edition is now sold out. Cock Sparrer (originally Cock Sparrow) is a British punk rock band, formed in 1972 in London's East End. According to French journalist Pierre Mikaïloff, Cock Sparrer was a band that, without openly positioning itself on the left like other groups such as AngelicUpstarts or Red London, nonetheless shared their ideas. This should, however, be qualified in view of songs like "England belongs to me," which evokes more of a national consciousness than a left-wing message. Although rarely playing for causes, the band is nevertheless considered by the left-wing skinhead scene as a SHARP (SkinHeads Against Racial Prejudice) band, a movement they have supported on several occasions, and are appreciated for this. Their audience, for its part, is very diverse politically. Even if they didn't achieve great success at the time, the band is considered a precursor to punk rock and oi! and is a major influence for groups such as Dropkick Murphys, Roger Miret and the Disasters, and Agnostic Front. Cock Sparrer was formed in 1972 by Colin McFaull, Mick Beaufoy, Steve "Burge" Burgess, and Steve Bruce – who had known each other since the age of 11. Playing in nightclubs in and around London, they developed the style that would later be known as street punk or oi!, mixed with pub rock and R&B harmonic accents. In 1976, Garrie Lammin (Burge's cousin) joined them as a second guitarist, and the band met Malcolm McLaren, who wanted to manage Cock Sparrer alongside the Sex Pistols. In 1977, the band signed with Decca Records and hoped to make a living from the punk movement. Cock Sparrer's first single was "Runnin' Riot," released in May 1977. Today a classic of punk and oi! culture, it didn't sell well at the time but was nevertheless followed by another single (a cover of The Rolling Stones' "We Love You"), before Decca terminated the band's contract in 1978. Cock Sparrer then recorded a first album, only released in Spain, under the eponymous title "Cock Sparrer," which would not be officially released in the UK until its release by the Razor Records label in 1987, this time under the title "True Grit." After this recording, Cock Sparrer ceased its activities at the end of 1978, following Lammin's departure. The band reformed between 1982 and 1984 (2 albums) then again from 1992 until today. 4 albums have been released between 1992 and 2017. Punk legends Cock Sparrer announce their 8th and final album here! Nobody (band included) expected more new songs after the excellent 2017 album "Forever." But lockdown came, and with free time and a lot to say, the band recorded their strongest album to date. Ten new songs, all with the characteristic anthemic sound Sparrer is known for, with a few surprises. Produced by James Bragg and guitarist Daryl Smith, they enlisted 2022 UK Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer of the year, Kevin Tuffy, for the final mastering, resulting in their best album in their 52-year career.