Formed in 1976, Sham 69 were an early British punk act from the London suburb of Hersham, Surrey. The band, fronted by singer / lyricist Jimmy Pursey, was one of the first to take a proletarian, working class stance in punk music. The band's songwriting also made frequent use of football chants and hard rock influences that would further inspire the Oi! and street punk movements. Despite an often socialist outlook, their early shows were plagued by violence and interference by extreme right wing(show more)

Formed in 1976, Sham 69 were an early British punk act from the London suburb of Hersham, Surrey. The band, fronted by singer / lyricist Jimmy Pursey, was one of the first to take a proletarian, working class stance in punk music. The band's songwriting also made frequent use of football chants and hard rock influences that would further inspire the Oi! and street punk movements. Despite an often socialist outlook, their early shows were plagued by violence and interference by extreme right wing elements. The band's debut single "Ulster" arrived on Step Forward Records in 1977, followed by a major label debut Borstal Breakout, spawning the hit "If The Kids Are United."