History: Sham 69 formed in 1976 (the 12 November issue of NME notes they were rehearsing at this time, although only Pursey would remain from this early line-up 12 months later). Sham 69 lacked the art school background of many British punk bands of the time, and brought in football chant back-up vocals and a sort of inarticulate political populism. The band had a large skinhead following (left wing, right wing and non-political), which helped set the tone for the Oi! movement. Their concerts were notoriously plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after one of their gigs at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1978 was broken up by National Front skinheads fighting and rushing the stage. Sham 69 released their first single, "Ulster", on Step Forward Records in August 1977, and its success in the independent charts prompted Polydor to sign the band.
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Sham 69
Ebeneezer's out of his head
He takes a walk upstairs to bed
He talks a lot but nothings said
And how do you get your daily bread
20 pound for a stereo
How low life can you go
50 pound for a video
Anything else I'll let you know
He wants to leave Londonium
But his family live on valium
He talks a lot but nothings said
And how do you get your daily bread
20 pound for a stereo
How low life can you go
50 pound for a video
Anything else I'll let you know
Listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you had a brain
Well listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you could explain
From the animal house to the alien zoo
This techno beat was made for you
You talk a lot but nothings said
And how do you get your daily bread
20 pound for a stereo
How low life can you go
50 pound for a video
Anything else I'll let you know
Listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you had a brain
Well listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you had a brain
Listen up listen up listen up listen up
Listen up listen up listen up listen up
Ebeneezers out of his head
He walks upstairs and he's gone to bed
He talks a lot but nothings said
And how do you get your daily bread
20 pound for a stereo
How low life can you go
50 pound for a video
Anything else I'll let you know
Listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you had a brain
Well listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you could explain
Listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you had a brain
Well listen up yeah hear what I say
You'd be dangerous if you could explain
Well listen up