Sham 69
Terrace-chant punk built for a thousand people shouting the chorus back, the template for oi!, with 'If the Kids Are United' still uniting.
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About Sham 69
Sham 69 is a punk band from Hersham, UK, formed in 1975.
Sham 69 formed in Hersham, Surrey, in 1975, led by singer Jimmy Pursey. They emerged in the first wave of British punk but distinguished themselves with singalong choruses and working-class subject matter that made them a template for the street punk and oi! bands that followed.
Their best-known songs include "If the Kids Are United," "Hurry Up Harry" and "Borstal Breakout," several of which charted in the UK in the late 1970s. The band's early gigs were sometimes disrupted by far-right skinheads, a problem Pursey spoke against publicly. Sham 69 has continued in various line-ups over the decades.
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Questions about Sham 69
Where is Sham 69 from?
Sham 69 is from Hersham, UK.
Who is in Sham 69?
Sham 69 is Jimmy Pursey (lead vocals), Dave Parsons (guitar) and Dave Tregunna (bass). Former members include Albie Maskell, Mark Cain, Ricky Goldstein and Linda Paganelli.
When did Sham 69 form?
Sham 69 formed in Surrey in 1975.
What was Sham 69's first album?
Sham 69's first album was That’s Life (1978). The latest is To the Ends of the Earth (2024).
Is Sham 69 on tour?
Yes. Sham 69 has 2 shows listed, from Cambridge, UK on Dec 4, 2026 to Norwich, UK on Dec 12, 2026.
What kind of music does Sham 69 play?
Sham 69 plays punk and oi!.
What festivals has Sham 69 played before?
Sham 69 has played Rebellion 2026.