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While the Sex Pistols agonised over punk's cultural impact and the Clash sought authenticity in dusty rockabilly B-sides, Sham 69 (Jimmy Pursey, vocals; Dave Parsons, guitar; Dave 'Kermit' Treganna , bass; Mark Cain, drums) crossed the gonzo appeal of Slade, the production wallop of the Pistols and the vocal harmonies of the Stretford End with devastating effect. Quoteaholic singer Jimmy Pursey soon had an army of teenage fans hanging on his every word thanks to riot-rock classics "If The Kids Are United" and "Hurry Up Harry," which saw Pursey leering through the lens of Top Of The Pops seemingly at will, until the band's unwanted right-wing following caused them to split following disrupted gigs and patchy final album The Adventures Of Hersham Boys (home to their biggest hit, "Hersham Boys," No. 6 in August 1979). An ill-fated spell as leader of the Sham Pistols with Rotten-less guns for hire Steve Jones and Paul Cook failed to work out, although Pursey continues on the punk circuit to this day, supported by an ageing 'Sham Army' still eager to reminisce about those nights down the pub with Harry.
- Paul Moody
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