This cassette is aptly titled. Few modern new music rock groups have been written off as often as the UK Subs. Alternatively ignored, ridiculed and despised by British and American critics, ripped off by a succession of record labels and management companies (and dropped by US major RCA after one single!), and internally smashed to pieces on four occasions, the Subs are nevertheless quietly sneaking up upon their OWN tenth anniversary as a continually working group.
This stubborn longevity is a remarkable achievement against quite reasonable odds. To illustrate, only a small, select handful of other current new music bands are approaching or have reached this magic ten year mark. A quick sample of this spirit of 76/77 group suggests elite and still tasteful company: Clash, Stranglers, Banshees, 999, Ramones, Talking Heads, X, Plugs/Cruzados, Dickies, Alleycats/Zarkons, and the once (briefly) broken-up Damned and Saints. Furthermore, of these distance (10) milers, perhaps only the Subs had to overcome an exhausting obstacle course, the kind from which NO ONE emerges. And yet, here they are, as of this writing on the verge of their 6th US tour. Never mind the threads they’ve hung on; the UK Subs are still present and quite accounted for.
Unimpressed cynics dispute this, and their arguments aren’t easily dismissed. “There is no band, no UK Subs,” they interject. “Just (singer) Charlie Harper and whoever he happens to be playing with at the moment.” There can be no question that this assertion is somewhat valid; the last three years have found Harper fronting three COMPLETELY different sets of Subs’ quartets. This would be understandable if Harper was just shuffling his players in search of the right combination, but in actuality he has been playing with three ENTIRELY separate decks.
But an important point is being missed: These events are proof of both Harper’s survival skills and unwavering determination. How many other rockers, faced with the continual crumbling of considerable work, could immediately start over from complete scratch each time, with renewed enthusiasm and drive? This is what separates him from others who do in fact front casts of ever-changing robots: Lydon’s Public Image Ltd., Gene October’s Chelsea, Mark Perry’s Alternative TV, etc. Unlike these others, the UK Subs have NEVER broken up or disappeared for any long period. Seemingly unperturbed by the lineup chaos, Harper regroups and retrenches, but keeps his merry-go-round turning. When everyone else is sure that his band has been taken out the back and shot, Harper just flashes his wry, childlike, unconcerned smile and keeps playing, recording and touring.
Harper’s motives are so simple, it’s no wonder many distrust his constant rebuilding. He just wants to play, and do it in a group of genuine relevance. However, this is not another Brit singer with “Nothing better to do,” nor one whose attitude is “It’s a living” (though Charlie would be the first to admit that his beggardly income beats real work). Harper is a far more curious case. You won’t need a calculator or your Lotus software to count the number of ex-hairdressers in their mid 40’s fronting a punk group, much less one whose involvement spans nine years and countless shows. Watching this bouncing ball of energy on stage these years, it’s hard to believe he’s older than some of our Dads, and could easily be turning up for Rotary Club on Mondays instead of playing the Marquee or Rock Hotel. Harper is the Peter Pan of punk. No, in fact he’s the Satchel Paige of punk; like the baseball legend, no one knows just HOW old he is (not even Charlie), but he’s WAY past everyone else in the league. In short, his very presence is a joy, the incredible, natural triumph of the obvious young spirit in a middle-aged man.
If they haven’t reclaimed their past glory, the new Subs are still good and no less important, for the times have changed. Whereas the group was once a main cog in the second UK punk explosion in 79/80 (along with Stiff Little Fingers, Ruts, Undertones, 2nd Damned, etc.), and the leaders of the subsequent third breakout (AntiPasti, Partisans, Fore-Skins, etc.), the UK punk movement has died. With the possible exception of the inconsistent Subhumans or Only Alternative, there are only one or two interesting punk records coming from those isles. Thus the Subs are more needed than ever, if someone can inspire young, punk-inclined Brits to take up music and thought instead of fashion and rhetoric. This tape is proof that the Subs are the men for the job. And obviously, in Charlie Harper’s case, it just might be a job for life.
- Jack Rabid
Read more...