Cock Sparrer: 50th Anniversary – Roundhouse, London – live review

Cock Sparrer 50th Anniversary
Roundhouse – London
9th September 2022

The weekend was to be a very special one for East London’s finest Cock Sparrer. It was a weekend to signify their 50th Anniversary and they had promised to pull out all the stops. The event was announced just over a year ago and Saturday’s initial date sold out of tickets before we even had time to tie our boot laces up. Due to popular demand, Friday was added as an extra date. As a spokesperson for the band said on the Roundhouse website “They’ve got a year to prepare for the best jolly up you’ve ever had, and we want you to be part of it. Bring the family…..!”. I’m not sure my mum would be up for it but who were we to disagree? Sonny Tyer was there to review.

Cock Sparrer was formed in the East End of London in the grand old year of 1972 (I was two years old). The people that made this happen were Colin McFaull (vocals), Mick Beaufoy (lead guitar) and Steve Bruce (drums) who had all known each other since they were in short trousers (11 years old, no less). This long-standing line up is completed nowadays by Steve Burgess (bass guitar) and Daryl Smith (rhythm guitar). Before long, they took their own unique brand of Punk Rock / Pub Rock and Glam (or more accurately, ‘Yob Rock’) around the pubs and clubs of London, gathering a loyal following along the way. In 1976, they got the attention of a certain Malcolm McLaren who considered managing them alongside a then little-known band by the name of The Sex Pistols. I read somewhere that Sparrer knew this situation was not really going to work as McLaren was reluctant to buy a round in the pub. Fair enough, I say.

In 1977, they managed to bag a deal with Decca Records who released their classic debut single, Runnin’ Riot which still gets played in their live sets today. They originally disbanded around this time in 1978 with guitarist Garry Lammin leaving for good. In the early ’80s, the band had a resurgence when a few of their songs were released on various ‘Oi!’ compilations at the time. They reformed around this period and released their classic album, Shock Troops which received a great reception. They performed various reunion gigs in the early ’90s with Daryl Smith added to guitar duties, and haven’t really looked back since. Their later albums, including 2007’s Here We Stand, are up there with the best of their recorded output. They headline festivals around the world to thousands of fans and even celebrated their 40th year with a string of sold-out dates in the U.S with Rancid. Over the years, they have become a big influence on the ‘Oi!’ and ‘Streetpunk’ scene but most people will agree that very few bands can pen songs as catchy as their own.

We were informed that there were going to be two sets tonight, spanning their career with the added promise of some special guests (never to be repeated) so anticipation was high in the Capital for the shenanigans ahead. Earlier in the week, on Cock Cock Sparrer’s Facebook page they warned us, “We are on at 8pm so you want to be there early so you don’t miss our first set. So, don’t fall out of the pub at 7.59pm or you’ll miss it!”. Sage advice.

Many of their followers were busy watering themselves in the pub opposite the venue, but us, along with many others, joined the queue early to ensure we didn’t miss the first set. There was much gossip beforehand about what songs they were going to play tonight, but one thing was for sure, this set was going to be a one-off. We got into the venue without a fuss and before you knew it, we were being served at the bar and assuming our positions at the front of the stage, ready for the music ahead

As the 8pm rings chimed, they took to the stage and performed Out On An Island which is a very atmospheric mellow song to ease us into tonight’s rowdy proceedings. As the band gathered up their instruments, Colin McFaull informed us that they were going to play many songs that have never been played ‘live’ before. On the big screen behind the band, we were treated to each member of the band giving us a bit of band history along with some amusing anecdotes. These interview segments were played throughout the night, which made the gig unique and interesting at the same time.

The second song of the night was the classic We Love You which really got the crowd going, and before people could catch a breath, they launched into another fan favourite by the name of Chip On Your Shoulder from their early years. At this point, they even displayed a colourful backdrop of an earlier spelling of their band name Cock Sparrow. Battersea Bardot was aired shortly afterwards, which could almost be termed as a Skinhead ballad, dare I say it. It was accompanied with snapshot footage of Bridgette Bardot from back in the day, and to these ears, it wouldn’t sound out of place on a Slade album. This song was quite a deep cut and went down really well with the crowd in a heartwarming kind of way.

In one of the interview segments, Daryl Smith mentioned that they were often compared to Chas & Dave and the next song proved that particular point perfectly. I Live In Marbella (Working Part 3) is a classic Cockney knees-up of a song that would not have looked out of place in the duo’s repertoire. Next up, was a dose of Yob Rock in full effect in the form of Bats Out which featured a digital backdrop in West Ham colours. At one point in the set, a bit of bother happened in the audience, but the band quite rightly stopped their set mid-song and gave the person a tongue lashing. This was dealt with very well and the room quickly resumed back to a party atmosphere. The last song of their first set was One By One where Colin McFaull announced that we had thirty minutes to rehydrate before the second set would take place.

By this time, people were in full flow and it was nice to meet people that had travelled so far overseas (From Arizona for example) to be here tonight to celebrate this Anniversary with the band. In the blink of an eye, Cock Sparrer were back on stage, launching into the classic Riot Squad, which whipped the enthusiastic crowd into a frenzy. Watch Your Back was up next followed by one of my favourite tracks, Working. By this time, the audience were singing along to every word and I must say that they are one of the few Punk bands that can garner such a reaction from a crowd. Talking of singalongs, Where Are They Now was up next, followed by I Got Your Number. Steve Burgess was thoroughly enjoying himself and throwing lots of bass shapes at this point. Argy Bargy got an airing and that was followed by Because You’re Young which is a more recent song but it definitely stands up to their earlier material (a band favourite too, I do believe).

The night was coming to an end so it was time to do an encore. They didn’t leave the stage mind you, as they didn’t want to do the typical thing that most bands do for dramatic value. The crowd at this point were at fever pitch, so their lungs were given a workout as they sang along to England Belongs To Me followed by set closer, We’re Coming Back. The band said their goodbyes and gave us a bow as they departed the stage, all ready to do it all again the following night.

Tonight’s gig had a great atmosphere and the room was full of lots of smiling faces that had travelled far and wide to celebrate this special time with the band. They have had a year to prepare for their Anniversary and you could tell a lot of hard work and attention to detail had gone into this event. I can safely say that we were not disappointed and here’s to another 50 years.

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You can find Cock Sparrer at their website | Facebook | Twitter

This is Sonny Tylers first review for Louder Than War
Photos by Dod Morrison

Source: louderthanwar.com