GBH (originally known as Charged GBH) are an English punk rock band, formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy (replaced by Ross Lomas after two years) and drummer Andy "Wilf" Williams.

Background GBH were early pioneers of British street punk, often nicknamed "UK 82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited, and The Varukers. The band's name was originally Charged GBH, then was shortened to GBH. It is widely understood that the name came from then-bassist Sean McCarthy being charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH), though vocalist Colin Abrahall denied this in 2018, claiming it was just a name like U.K. Subs; and, when pushed, said the initials stood for "Girls, Booze, and Hash". Though the core line up of Colin, Ross, and Jock has stayed the same throughout their history, the drum stool has been occupied by a number of incumbents following Wilf's departure after the Midnight Madness and Beyond album and Oh No, It's GBH Again 12" EP. 1989 saw the arrival of German drummer Kai Reder who played on three albums (No Need to Panic, A Fridge Too Far, and From Here to Reality), as well as the Wot a Bargain 12". Kai was replaced by American Joe "Fish" Montanero for one album (Church of the Truly Warped); this was the band's last release for the Rough Justice label. The drum stool was then occupied from around 1994 by former Bomb Disneyland/Bomb Everything drummer Scott Preece, who has remained to this day and played on all releases since.

Throughout their recording history, the band has often included a cover version on many of their albums. "Boston Babies" originally recorded by Slaughter & the Dogs (on City Baby Attacked By Rats), "I Feel Alright" from The Damned and The Stooges (on City Baby's Revenge), "Avenues and Alleyways" by Tony Christie (on No Need to Panic), "Needle in a Haystack" originally by The Velvelettes (appeared on A Fridge Too Far), "Destroy" by The Vibrators (on From Here to Reality), "I Need Energy" by Zero Boys (on Church of the Truly Warped).

GBH embarked on several English and mainland US tours during the early 1980s, including several gigs at the 100 Club. 1982 saw the release of GBH's debut album, City Baby Attacked by Rats, which reached No. 17 in the UK Albums Chart, as well as No. 2 in the UK Indie Chart. The band's singles had also reached the UK Indie Chart, leading to an appearance on the UK TV programme The Tube, where they performed "Give Me Fire" (UK Indie Chart No. 2). Lyrically, the album dealt with criticism of British and European culture, violence, morbidity (especially in reference to the song "Passenger on the Menu", which describes in graphic detail the experiences of the passengers on the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571), atheism, nihilism and humour. Musically, the album was loud and fast, with few songs exceeding three minutes. The success of the first album was repeated with their second album, City Babys Revenge, in 1983 and saw more extensive touring in America and Europe and higher profile UK shows, including the Carlisle Punk Festival. With the Carlisle Punk Festival the band co-headlined with fellow UK82 stalwarts The Exploited, and shared the bill with the likes of Toy Dolls, Chelsea, and The Destructors. In 1984, the band dropped the "Charged" from their name and became just GBH (grievous bodily harm).

They and many of their UK82 peers such as The Exploited, Picture Frame Seduction, Discharge, and The Varukers have all enjoyed success among punks in the United States. Although many of their contemporaries have evolved towards other styles over the years, GBH have remained fairly faithful to their original UK82 sound in subsequent releases. However, the band have experimented to some degree with a more speed metal-inflected, inspired and influenced sound particularly those of Motörhead and Tank, notably with their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped, although they have since returned to a more purist punk sound.

The band are still active and touring and maintain a strong following both in the UK and the rest of Europe, as well as in the United States and Japan. The band released their twelfth studio album, Momentum, on Hellcat Records in 2017.

Legacy GBH have gone on to influence several punk rock musicians, but their influence has been especially far-reaching in metal, including the early Bathory albums, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Exodus, and all of the "big four of thrash metal" (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax). Metallica frontman James Hetfield has repeatedly expressed his enthusiasm for GBH and said such bands were the beginning of thrash metal to him. Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM has said he had listened to second-wave punk bands before starting his own band, mentioning GBH as an example. GBH have also influenced 1990s and 2000s rock bands such as Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Green Day, The Offspring, and Rancid.

Band members Current Colin Abrahall – vocals (1978–present) Colin "Jock" Blyth – guitar, backing vocals (1978–present) Ross Lomas – bass, backing vocals (1980–present) Scott Preece – drums (1994–present)

Former Sean McCarthy – bass (1978–1980) Andrew "Wilf" Williams – drums (1978–1986) Kai Reder – drums (1986–1992) Joseph "Fish" Montanaro – drums (1992–1994)

Timeline

Discography Studio albums Year of releaseTitleLabel1982City Baby Attacked by RatsClay (Later Reissued by Captain Oi!)1984City Babys RevengeClay (Later Reissued by Captain Oi!)1986Midnight Madness and BeyondRough Justice (later reissued by Captain Oi!)1987No Need to PanicRough Justice (later reissued by Captain Oi!)1989A Fridge Too FarRough Justice (later reissued by Captain Oi!)1990From Here to RealityRough Justice (later reissued by Captain Oi!)1992Church of the Truly WarpedRough Justice (later reissued by Captain Oi!)1996Punk JunkiesWe Bite (later reissued by Captain Oi!)2002Ha HaGo Kart2004Cruel and UnusualIdol2010Perfume and PissHellcat2017MomentumHellcat

Mini album Year of releaseTitleLabel1981Leather, Bristles, Studs and AcneClay (Later Reissued by Captain Oi!)

Split mini albums Year of releaseTitleFeaturingLabel1998Punk as FuckBillyclubIdol2001Punk Rock AmbulanceBillyclubIdol

12 inch EPs / singles Year of releaseTitleLabel1984Do What You DoClay1986Oh No, It's GBH AgainRough Justice1988Wot a BargainRough Justice

7-inch EPs / singles Year of releaseTitleLabel1982No SurvivorsClay1982Sick BoyClay1982Give Me Fire / Man TrapClay1983Catch 23 / HellholeClay1984Do What You DoClay

Live albums Year of releaseTitleLabel1989No SurvivorsClay1994Live in Japan (Kawasaki, 1991)Anagram1996Celebrity Live Style (later released as Live In Los Angeles on Anagram)Cleopatra2014Dover Showplace 1983Cleopatra2015Live at the Ace Brixton 1983Radiation Reissues2015City Baby Attacked by Rats (CD album)Secret Records2020Best of Live (vinyl)Secret Records

Compilation albums Year of releaseTitleLabel1982Leather, Bristles, No Survivors and Sick Boys...Clay (Later Reissued by Captain Oi!)1986Clay Years 1981–1984Clay1989No Survivors '83Clay1992The Clay RecordingsClay1995The Clay Punk Singles CollectionClay1999Punk Rock HitsCleopatra2002The Punk Singles 1981–84Castle2005Dead on Arrival: A Punk Rock AnthologySanctuary2007Race Against Time: The Complete Clay RecordingsCastle

Demos Year of releaseTitle19801980 Demo1980Practice 1980

Compilation appearances (selected) Year of releaseTitleLabel1981Punk and DisorderlyAbstract/Posh Boy1982Burning Ambitions: A History of PunkCherry Red1982Punk and Disorderly – Further ChargesAnagram1999A Triple Dose of Punk – 60 Song box setCleopatra

DVDs and videos Year of ReleaseTitle1983Live At Victoria Hall, Hanley1986Brit Boys Attacked By Brats1995Kawasaki Live1996Live in L.A. 19882003Live at the Ace, Brixton2004Kawasaki Live/Brit Boys Attacked by Brats2005G.B.H. Live in LA/Live at Victoria2006Charged: On Stage2016City Baby Attacked By Rats (includes CD)

References

External links

Live video and interview with GBH