The Straps
The Straps are an English streetpunk band, formed in 1978 in Battersea, South London by vocalist John Grant (aka Jock Strap) and guitarist Dave Reeves.[1]
The band played their first gig at Streatham at the Park Tavern in 1978 with the UK Subs, The Tickets and Security Risk. Grant's first gig with the band was at The Latchmere pub in Battersea Park Road later that year. They enjoyed a cult following around London, and subsequently performed alongside The Damned on their Black Album tour, Sham 69 and Stiff Little Fingers.
Stan Stammers, a former Epileptics bassist (and later of Theatre of Hate), joined in 1979, but left prior to the recording of their debut single, 1980's "Just Can't Take Anymore" (Donut Records). The lineup on the single included Grant, Reeves, and three former members of The Pack (who later became Theatre of Hate): Jim Walker (also original drummer of Public Image Ltd.) and brothers Simon and Jonathan 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) and guest appearances by Andi Sex Gang and Rat Scabies.
Frontman Grant and Simon Werner later formed Bartok with Jah Wobble, recording a 12" single called "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 some other original punk bands, including Sham 69, UK Subs and The Lurkers. The Straps toured and played the Rebellion Festival three years running, until Grant suffered an accidental knee injury.
The band separated again in 2008 but 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, Davies and two new members, ex Concrete Gods guitarist Phil McDermott and Morgellons bassist Mark Geraghty.
As well as playing the now infamous DIY show in Southsea with Sham 69, UK Subs, Vice Squad and The Defects, this line-up played the legendary 100 Club with Chelsea and sold out a headline show at Camden's Barfly before going into Pat Colliers Perry Vale Studios to record the long awaited second studio album, Brave New Anger, which was released in August 2013, and was previewed at the Rebellion and Three Chords festivals in Blackpool and Cornwall respectively.
Discography
Albums
- The Straps (1982, Cyclops)
- Brave New Anger (2013, Flicknife Records)
Singles
- "Just Can't Take Anymore" / "New Age" (1980, Donut)
- "Brixton" / "No Liquor" (1982, Donut)
Compilations
- The Punk Collection (2005, Captain Oi)
References
External links
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