SHAM 69

SHAM 69 WAS FORMED IN THE WORKING-CLASS COMMUNITY OF HERSHAM (IN SURREY) IN 1975 BY SINGER AND LYRICIST JIMMY PURSEY; THE NAME CAME FROM AN ANCIENT BIT OF GRAFFITI CELEBRATING A LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAM’S WINNING SEASON IN 1969. FROM THE START, SHAM 69’S POLITICS WERE POPULIST, AND THEIR SOUND ACCESSIBLE; STRAIGHT-AHEAD FOUR-SQUARE PUNK WITH A HARD ROCK INFLUENCE AND LYRICS THAT OFTEN USED SING-ALONG SLOGANS IN THEIR CHORUSES, SUCH AS “IF THE KIDS ARE UNITED” AND “(GONNABE A) BORSTAL BREAKOUT.