2. UK SubsBrand New Age
I would’ve first seen UK Subs on Top Of The Pops. I think you’d describe it as ‘guttural punk’. Some people laughed at them a little bit because they were too “basic”… you know, it’s quite a basic record, meant for teenagers – but I liked them, and I feel compelled to say that I still do. Brand New Age was one of the first records that I ever had.
‘Warhead’ was their song about nuclear war. I remember being a kid and everyone thought the end of the world was about to happen, so I thought “I’ve got four years left, I may as well learn the bass” – and ‘Warhead’ was the first song that I ever learnt how to play the bass to. It was simple, it was the first instrument I ever picked up, and it was the first song that I wanted to learn.
In 1990, The Charlatans played at the Town and Country Club, which is now The Forum, that was a massive gig for us, and I saw Charlie Harper, the lead singer from UK Subs, at the bar. I had never met him before, or made contact with him before, he was just there as a fan. I thought that was such a great thing, that meant a lot to me. It was a thrill.
Their line-ups have changed, and people used to talk about the fact that he was in his forties when he was making this record in particular, so I imagine he’s maybe in his seventies now – and he’s still doin’ it! I mean, that’s pretty authentic.
