Subculture - The Early Years

Common People Records

 

Along with The Underdogs’ compilation “The Punk Demos Collection”, Common People Records compiled yet another LP full with British Oi! and punk classics! This time around the Spanish label captured the early days of Cambridge outfit Subculture on a 12”, simple but effectively titling it “The Early Years”.

 

On “The Early Years” you’ll find ten tracks of which nine were previously available through the band’s “Loud & Clear” EP (1983), “The Oi! Collection” split compilation CD with A.B.H. (1998) and the song “Stick Together”, that was taken of the classic “Oi! Oi! That’s Yer Lot!” compilation (1982). So when you have been around for over 30 years, or if you are an extensive collector, you won’t find much new on “The Early Years”, nor do I need to tell you that there are some true gems on this LP!

 

Especially the three tracks of the “Loud & Clear” EP, namely the title track “Loud & Clear”, “Rogue Trooper” and “University City” are timeless classics(!) that I previously only knew from the “Oi! The Rarities” compilation. From that same session the track “Give Up Boys” was taken, the only version on this collection that was unreleased because I believe the take on the “From Herbert Street To The 100 Club” is from a different session. Timeless music that still sounds fresh and exciting, 33 years after their initial recording and release!

 

Along with some cracking history on British Oi! music, you’ll also find most of the lyrics on the inlay, together with some great photographs of the early 80’s and an extensive biography on Subculture. Along with the limited pressing of 415 copies on black vinyl and only 105 copies on red vinyl, this is definitely a piece of vinyl you got to add to your collection!