Welcome to the U.K. Subs website and official archive...

T&M

For all the latest up-to-date U.K. Subs news please go to either
the official U.K. Subs Facebook page or the Subs' Fan Club on Facebook.

Both of these were set up by, and are run by T&M... 

OFFICIAL U.K. SUBS FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/UKSubs/
U.K. SUBS FAN CLUB ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uksubsfanclub/

   T&M U.K. SUBS NEWSFEED 2020...     

23/03: T&M webshop temporarily closed

Following this evening's Government announcement we have made the difficult decision to close the T&M Big Cartel webshop for the next 3 weeks.
We are acutely aware that the post office is a lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable in our society and feel it would be irresponsible to risk introducing coronavirus into that environment. As a small mail order company we feel we have no choice and it is the sensible thing to do.
We will review this situation in 3 weeks time.
Stay safe.
Mark & Rob - Time & Matter
http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/

You can still stream and download tracks through our Bandcamp page.
This will keep revenue going to the bands whilst they're not making anything from gigging.

22/03: Paul Slack painting exhibition and interview

U.K. Subs bassist of yore, Paul Slack, has a virtual exhibition of his paintings on the Kunstmatrix website.

You can check out Paul's work laid out like a gallery so you can view pieces together and from different aspects.
 

Check it out here:
 
 
Ludovic Pop has also posted a fabulous YouTube interview with Paul, including insights about his career as well as his time with the Subs here:
 
 
PAUL SLACK'S EXHIBITION CATALOGUE HERE:
 

21/03: Exclusive first play of a track from the new Alvin EP

Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants exclusive first play of track from new 'History' EP...

You can hear a mini review of the forthcoming EP on T&M Records as well as the first play of a track, with host Armitage, choosing 'Bad About You' for the first airing on the ever brilliant Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show, now available as a podcast at:

20/03: Charlie's artwork on cover of new single release
 
Charlie has supplied the artwork to a brand new 12" single by the Segrëgates called 'Preach To Me' - the "Motörpunk masters of York..." who further describe themselves as "...for fans of Motörhead, punk, and chaos."
 
You can see the artwork right, as well as a recent picture of Mr Harper holding the release below...
 
The 12" is limited to 250 copies and comes on red vinyl.
 
Buy it at:
 
There are also t-shirts and hoodies available from their shop with Charlie's artwork on...
https://segregates.co.uk/store

More info on the band can be found at:
 
 
17/03: Subs and solo shows postponed due to coronavirus
On behalf of the U.K. Subs, bassist Alvin Gibbs has released the following statement concerning the forthcoming U.K. Subs' spring UK tour dates from April til May, along with his Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants' shows and Charlie's solo gigs booked at the end of May...

"This is an unusually long post but I would appreciate you all reading it in its entirety as it’s essential that on behalf of the U.K. Subs I set out our present position in full…
It’s with a heavy heart that I have to report from U.K. Subs’ HQ that our forthcoming UK Spring tour running from April 9th to May 10th is to be rescheduled for next year, on or around April 1st to May 2nd 2021. There are two equally important reasons for this decision. Our dear friend and comrade in Punk, Charlie Harper, is about to reach the age of 76 and with his underlying health issues would be a prime candidate for the worse possible outcome if he was to be infected with the Corona virus during this touring cycle. He has also acquired a respiratory problem whilst recently touring Europe (not Corona related) that has persisted and is presently on his second course of antibiotics. It would be sheer madness to risk his health and life in such circumstances as all the indicators are the pandemic will become far more widespread with significantly greater numbers of people being infected over the next few months and, very possibly, for far longer. This is something Jamie, Steve, Charlie’s wife Yuko and I have concluded after discussions together, as well as with Charlie himself.
The second equally valid reason is that we do not want to be responsible for the spread and thereafter the possible consequences to people’s health and wellbeing of this new and virulent virus strain by gathering people together in our name. As Charlie said to me just a couple of days ago ‘It’s not only about me Alvin, it’s about everybody else and those who come to see us putting themselves in danger of getting the virus if we go ahead with this’. We are all in agreement with Charlie’s point of view and believe it’s now time to be conscientious and concerned about others rather than some macho posturing and the deluded idea that just because you play in a band you are somehow exempt from the laws of biology and have no duty of care or consideration to your audience. This is a virus that doesn’t give a damn about your social or scene status and although most of those infected will develop no more than flu-like symptoms, if they in turn unintentionally infect their elderly parents, grandparents, the old lady or elderly fella next door, younger people with respiratory illnesses, or diabetes, or heart problems, or young children, the outcome could very well be deadly serious for these categories of vulnerable people – and it can take up to a week for the flu-like symptoms to develop post virus acquisition when, during this seemingly healthy period, you are still able to pass on the virus to others – this what I mean by ‘unintentionally infect’.
You all know the touring culture of the U.K. Subs. We are perhaps the hardest working Punk rock outfit there is, playing more shows and embarking on more tours per year than just about any other band in the genre. It’s not in our DNA to postpone tours and we are very sad and apologetic in having to do so. We are all too aware that people have already made plans, booked hotels and travel tickets and were looking forward to seeing the band play live again in the forthcoming months. The band was equally eager to perform for you all and we unreservedly apologise for the disappointment and the unravelling of plans and travel arrangements this postponement will produce. We too are greatly affected. Being a professional outfit that relies on touring for its income we will be losing a considerable amount of money in concert fees and merchandise sales, plus we’d already booked non-refundable hotels and, living in France, I have personally paid out for non-refundable return train tickets to Paris and return tickets on Eurostar from Paris to London specifically for this tour. There is no statutory sick pay for us and no means of financial support during this indeterminate length of time until it’s again rational to get back to gigging and earning. But we believe there are more important things at stake at present than money, and that people’s health and wellbeing should take precedent over economic considerations.
Over the next couple of weeks the UK may well follow the examples of Italy, Spain and other European countries in closing bars, restaurants, clubs, theatres, and other places where people gather as well as compelling people to remain in their homes, allowing only brief trips to chemists or food vendors. My adopted country of France has already implemented all these measures, instigated a blanket ban on internal travel apart from essential workers (doctors, nurses, etc) and has closed the borders so although it is still possible to leave the nation, unless you’re a French national you cannot return. I now even have to download, print and fill in a government form before leaving my house on each occasion to explain why I need to venture outside, or face a fine if challenged by the gendarmes. Obviously, getting to the UK to play with the Subs is therefore no longer an option for me. Consequently, I have no choice but to also postpone and later reschedule the five shows I was due to play in the UK in May with the Disobedient Servants. Charlie is likewise rescheduling his May solo gigs for later dates. We will be giving regular updates on how those who have already purchased tickets will be able to reuse them for the rescheduled tour and these solo gigs.
Strange days indeed, but we need to accept and accordingly react to the reality of the present situation rather than irrationally expect reality to change for our own convenience and pleasure. If we look after each other and show consideration and common sense towards our fellow citizens as an act of solidarity, things will return to normality sooner rather than later; at which point the U.K. Subs will return to entertain you in the manner you’re accustomed to, playing loud and proud Punk rock music around the world and ever ready to chat and share a beer with you at the bar. For now though, stay safe, stay healthy and we will see you all again when this loathsome pandemic has run its course.
Alvin Gibbs, on behalf of Charlie and Yuko Harper, Stephen Straughan and Jamie Oliver – collectively known as the U.K. Subs."
            
29/02: Brand New Subs Album 'Reverse Technology'

After Charlie recently spilt the beans on his forthcoming autobiography on the Del Strangefish Radio Show (see news story below 17/01), along with the welcome/shock news that the Subs are to make a brand new studio album, further confirmation has now been published with a fantastic article recently published via an online Amsterdam newspaper at: 

 
"Earlier the couple (Charlie & Yuko) told me a new album is in the making and I’d like to know what the name is going to be...
Is there life after Z? ‘Absolutely! The next album is most likely to be called Reverse Technology..."
 
28/02: Radio Brennt! Interview with Charlie Harper
Charlie was recently interviewed in Hamburg.
The interview with Charlie Harper is now online all over the internet, which means on Spotify, Soundcloud and Apple Podcasts as Audio and on YouTube as Video (just look for "Radio Brennt!").
You'll find it all embedded on their website at:
http://www.radiobrennt.de/2020/01/26/radio-brennt-unterwegs-6-feat-charlie-harper-uk-subs/

27/02: Subs Announced To Play Finnish Festival in July

U.K. Subs have just been announced to play the Puntala-rock festival in Lempäälä, Finland in July. Ticket pre-sale starts 1st March
 
25/02: Alvin Gibbs Solo Band Tour Dates
 
With a brand new thrilling 4-track gatefold double 7" single soon to be released by Time & Matter Records, make sure you catch Alvin Gibbs’ fabulous band live this year. Featuring fellow Sub Jamie Oliver as well as Leigh Heggarty from Ruts DC...
...these are the current dates, more to be added, of which we will keep you informed… 
May
20: Nambucca, London, England Ticket Link Here
21: Castle and Falcon, Birmingham, England
23: The Fox and Newt, Leeds, England
24: Nice and Sleazy Punk and Ska Festival, Morecambe, England
June
06: North West Calling Festival, O2 Ritz, Manchester, England
July
04: Rock Na Bagnie Festival, Goniadz, Poland
October
11: HRH Festival, Sheffield, England
CHECK OUT SOME ALVIN GIBBS & THE DISOBEDIENT SERVANTS LIVE ACTION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nT6ZwwJbZo

18/02: Time & Matter Recordings is 10 Years Old!
 
Today is the 10th anniversary of T&M's very first release: T&M001 - U.K. Subs - Dance & Travel In The Robot Age CD.
To celebrate, we've had 100 10th anniversary badges made in four different colours - black, blue, green and red - and all the proceeds will be going to our favourite charity, the RNLI:

PURCHASE VIA: 
http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/product/t-m037-time-matter-10th-anniversary-badges

We are also having a massive sale with many items reduced by 50%, plus we're offering everyone a further 10% off their total purchase value for the next 10 days. Use discount code 037.
 

We'd just like to finish by saying a massive Thank You to everyone who has supported the label as it's grown over the last 10 years! :)
Mark & Rob - Time & Matter

Here's a little celebratory video as a thank you to all the Subs fans who have supported us...
 
VIEW AT:
 
 

18/02: Janus Stark Album - Yet Another Brilliant Review

This time it's Planet Mosh who are heaping praise on the album, with reviewer Alex English stating that...
 
"CHARLIE HARPER makes an appearance on backing vocals and his harmonica playing is as distinctive as a smash to the face!"
 
"Angel in The Flames is a passionate album, its essence is born of lessons learnt from life’s mistakes and sugar-coated heartbreak. Based on real-life experiences from the past to the present day! It packs a meaningful punch!"
 
Read the full review at:
 
 

15/02: Vive Le Rock Awards Gig - U.K. Subs Nominated

This year's annual Vive Le Rock Awards will also mark the magazine's tenth anniversary in print, a phenomenal achievement for this fabulous magazine.
Charlie will be at the 2020 Vive Le Rock Awards on April 1st as the U.K. Subs' Demon Records/ Edsel Records box set has been nominated for 'Best Reissue'.
 
Tickets are now on sale for what should be a memorable night:
GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F00582F975B1BD6
 
  
  
 
U.K. SUBS 1977-2017 40 Years Of U.K. Subs Singles' still available

These fabulous boxsets celebrating 40 years of Subs singles, are still available on both vinyl and CD. 

4 CD Boxset: CLICK HERE TO BUY

Product description "Housed in a deluxe hard back book, this 120 track 4 CD box set contains every A, B, C and D side issued by Punk legends U.K. Subs. From their first 1977 demo right through to the most recent "Predator" single this really is the Ultimate U.K. Subs release. Early hit singles like "Warhead", "Teenage" and "She's Not There" rub shoulders with rarer 45's like ""Riot 98" and "666Yeah" as chronologically the set trawls through the bands singles over the last 40 years. The highly informative booklet contains info on every single by the bands webmaster and historian Mark Chadderton and there are illustrations of each of these now highly collectable records spread across the booklet's 32 pages. Mastered by James Bragg who oversaw the bands "A-M" and "N-Z" albums box sets. The U.K. Subs have never looked or sounded so good!"


4 10" LP Vinyl Boxset: CLICK HERE TO BUY

Product Description "Spread over 4 coloured vinyl 10" LP's, this 39 track box set contains every A side issued by Punk legends U.K. Subs over the past 40 years. From National Chart hit singles like "Tomorrows Girls", "Stranglehold" and "Warhead" through to rarer tracks like "Reclaim The Streets" and "Drunken Sailor" right up to the most recent "Predator" and "The Beast" 45's this chronological set is a must for collectors. Each album comes in its own sleeve with individual inner bags with the music pressed on purple, yellow, orange and green vinyl's. Added in is a highly detailed and illustrated 16 page 10" booklet giving the lowdown on each release."

 

10/02: Subs support slot for Bad Religion 40th anniversary tour

The Subs have been announced as the main support for Bad Religion's June 2020 40th anniversary tour, with the following dates...

05: Academy, Manchester, England
06: o2 Academy, Newcastle, England***
07: o2 Forum, Kentish Town, London, England
09: Rock City, Nottingham, England
10: o2 Academy, Bristol, England

***Subs fans may notice that Alvin's band the Disobedient Servants - which includes Jamie on drums are due to play on June 6th in Manchester when there's a show listed for the same day with the Subs in Newcastle above. However, Alvin and Jamie are due to play the North West Calling festival in Manchester in the afternoon and will then make the journey to Newcastle to perform at the o2 Academy that evening. 

Bad Religion 40th anniversary tour poster - click to enlarge

 

08/02: Charlie Harper Documentary in the making...

Eugene Butcher, editor of Vive Le Rock magazine has made a cryptic announcement on his Facebook feed that there is a documentary being made about Charlie, with an announcement coming later in the year...

Eugene's post reads: "Who said we are making a documentary on the greatest living punk rocker of all CHARLIE HARPER? Stay tuned 20/11/20"

08/02: T&M Alvin LP Licensed to the USA...

Alternative LP artwork now in T&M webstore

Alvin Gibbs & The Disobedient Servants’ debut album on T&M has been licensed in the USA by Cleopatra Records. Released with different design artwork, the T&M webstore now have a limited number of these imports - CD and LP - for sale to the U.K. and Europe...

PURCHASE HERE: http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/

30/01: Charlie Solo Shows For 2020
 
Aside from touring with the Subs, Charlie will also be performing a number of solo shows this year.
Current dates are listed below, with more to follow...

May
23: Pipeline, Brighton, England (Charlie’s 76th birthday party)
28: Northern Guitars, Leeds, England
29: To be confirmed
30: Acoustic Festival of Britain, Uttoxeter Racecourse, England
31: Formans Bar, Nottingham, England (sold out)
June
28: CHARLIE HARPER SOLO SHOW, Spreepunkrockers (Boat trip), Berlin, Germany
(https://www.twenty-four-hours.info/spr/28-06-2020-charlie-harper-uk-subs-tv-smith-the-adverts/)
September
05: Maidenbower park community club (MPCC), Crawley, England
 
25/01: Mammoth U.K. Subs Photo Book Due 2021
 
Request for rare and unseen photos from author…
Paul Mileman, the English born professional photographer who now lives and works in New York, is currently nearing completion of his decade long project to publish a book of U.K. Subs rare and unseen photos, posters, gig tickets and other ephemera.
Paul, who is also webmaster of the Subs’ .com website and has also drummed for the band, recently spoke to the U.K. Subs Time & Matter website about his as-yet-untitled book and what he is looking for to provide the finishing touches to what promises to be an essential, and fabulous publication.
Paul revealed to T&M that he anticipates “…the book will be completed late 2020 and be published mid-2021. It will be a limited-edition print run initially of 500 copies and the way it's going at the moment... it's going to be a big book!”
Updating T&M on the current situation, Paul states that “I have loads of photos from pro photographers from 1978, 1979, 1982 shows. I need photos from 1980, 1981 and live shots of the band… I want the book to be somewhat unique - I know there’s a lot of images that have been seen before but I want to try and find images that haven’t been found or used…”
Paul is also looking for “posters, flyers, tickets and T-shirts - basically any memorabilia. There will be a full gigography and discography alongside words by some of the people who were there from the start…” To this end, Paul is keen to talk to the following people, so if you can help put him in contact with the following – please do so… Richard Anderson, Dave Fullbrook, Greg Price, Scott Snowden and Mal Asling.
If you can help with any of the above, or keep tabs on further progress then there is a Facebook group called ‘UK Subs book by Paul Mileman (untitled)’ at https://www.facebook.com/groups/420168808754681/
Paul’s website can be viewed here: https://www.paulmilemanphotography.com/music - you can contact him via this site as well, but please also feel free to e-mail Paul at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Full credits will be included in the published book, so here is a great opportunity to get your old photos alongside your name published via Paul's FAN-tastic project
 
 
21/01: Euro Tour Update From Alvin
 
From Mr Gibbs' FB page... Euro Tour write up...
"Dispatches from the Subs' Euro tour number 1: It has been a great first week for the band out here in Euroland. We kicked off in Paris to a full house, drove the next day to Cologne, Germany for a similarly well attended show, blew the roof off the Fabrik in Hamburg with close to a 1000 people in attendance, played a private festival in a vast holiday resort called, would you believe, Wangerland - sort of a German version of Butlins, but so, so much better - and ended this initial run with a lovely little show in Husum, close to the Danish border, yesterday. Photos below are from various places last week, the last being my delight at finding the wine possibilities at Wangerland were open 24 hours for imbibing from 2 barrels containing good Italian red varieties and 2 holding good Italian white favourites. They were constantly being refilled and were even available with breakfast, although that would have been been a crazy move - toast, coffee, croissant and Pinot Grigio, perhaps not! Five more German dates follow this week, including the brilliant SO36 in Berlin and then Poland and the east starting on Sunday. Yep, Punk rock is most definitely out and about on the euro road again brothers and sisters. A X "
 
17/01: Charlie Reveals Two Massive News Stories On Radio
 
Charlie writing autobiography and new Subs studio album!
 
Charlie was recently interviewed by Del Strangefish on his radio show and revealed that he is in the process of writing his autobiography, which has been commissioned by an as-yet-unkown publisher, and also that the Subs will also be recording a new studio album, after previously stating that the Z LP would be their last.
 
"This weeks guest Guest Charlie Harper discusses leaving the UK Subs
and carrying on the UK Subs as a hologram after his death."
 
The Del Strangefish Show with Del & Jimmy Skurvi is on Radio Reverb 97.2 FM Monday at 7pm Wednesday at 8pm
Thursdays 3pm & Saturday's at 11 pm
Radio Reverb 97.2 FM
www.radioreverb.com
Listen to RadioReverb online...
http://radioreverb.com/player/console/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/TheDelStrangefishShow
www.twitter.com/delfish2
www.twitter.com/radioreverb

04/01: T&M to release brand new Alvin Gibbs EP
 
Time & Matter are absolutely delighted to let you know that our next release will be a double 7” gatefold cover single from Alvin Gibbs and the Disobedient Servants... here’s Alvin Gibbs’ own announcement:

“Some fresh news for the onset of a New Year brothers and sisters: despite our unrelenting touring schedules, Leigh Heggarty of the Ruts and Jamie Oliver and I of the UK Subs somehow managed to convene at Pat Collier’s Perry Vale Studios for two days to do some recording in our Alvin Gibbs and the Disobedient Servants’ guise while in the UK recently. The result was four spanking new tracks that Time and Matter Records (the issuing record company of my solo album) propose to release as a package of two seven-inch coloured vinyl 45s containing two songs apiece early this year. These will be housed in an innovative gatefold cover, the artwork for which – as seen above – has been bestowed by Gaye Black. Some of you may recall it was Gaye Black (aka Gaye Advert) who provided the superb artwork for my ‘Ghost Train’ solo single of 2018. Entitled the ‘History EP’, this release will presents four new compositions titled as follows: ‘History’ and ‘Pavlovian’, both written/sung by myself; ‘If Only’, a co-write with Jamie Oliver, which again sees me taking on lead vocal duties; and the outstanding ‘Bad About You’, written and sung by Leigh Heggarty. All tracks feature the brilliant drumming and guitar work of Messrs Oliver and Heggarty, along with a bit of random bass guitar nonsense from yours truly. Stand by for a pre-order date and link which I will share with you as soon as I receive them from Time and Matter HQ. Meanwhile, there are still a few copies of the reissue of ‘Your Disobedient Servant’ album on blood-red vinyl (plus on CD) available from the Big Cartel link for those who haven’t yet obtained a copy (http://timematterrecordings.bigcartel.com/)

Looking forward to seeing you on the Euro and UK gig circuit shortly with the Subs, and keep a lookout for some more Disobedient Servants’ shows coming your way in May. Have a great weekend all. A X “
 
More news on this exciting, fabulous release soon folks!

01/01: Happy new year from T&M

Time & Matter would like to wish all Subs fans, members and ex-members a happy new year, and thank you for your continued support...

Cheers - Mark & Rob

 
    HOMEPAGE PICTURE CHOICE NUMBER 31   

U.K. SUBS IN 1977

It's amazing what can turn up after so many years!
Early U.K. Subs drummer Steve J. Jones - who later returned to play on 1983s 'Flood of Lies' LP - sent in this amazing, previously unpublished photo of the Subs, just after Nicky Garratt had joined in early October 1977.

Steve had this to say about this stunning find!

"Here's a picture of the UK Subs from 1977 - playing the Western Counties pub in Paddington. Not sure if it's been published before. I've had a copy in my scrapbook since '77. I'm sure it was one of the first we played after Nicky Garratt joined. We played that particular pub a number of times - often with Rob Harper also in the band. I'm not sure if Rob is with us on this occasion and simply missing from the shot. I've no idea who took the picture..."

T&M contacted Nicky Garratt about the photo and he confirmed for us that the photo was taken on his "...first weekend with the Subs..."


 

U.K. SUBS - WESTERN COUNTIES PUB, PADDINGTON, LONDON OCTOBER 1977
Left to right: Steve Slack, Nicky Garratt, Charlie Harper, Steve J. Jones
Click the image to enlarge

A MASSIVE THANKS FROM T&M TO STEVE J. JONES
FOR ALLOWING US TO PUBLISH THE PHOTO

STRICTLY no reproduction allowed without written permission of Steve J. Jones

Previous rare and unusual pictures can be found under the T & Misc. section to the right - click 'Homepage Picture Choice Archive...

Photo by Nick Knight - click to enlarge"People, people, people, get involved. Play your guitar, do your fanzines, take photos BE INVOLVED.  One day it could all be worth something because it's not only history but the future too.  So live it, don't just be part of the audience, participate."

 

 

Charlie Harper, 17 December 1998 - quoted from an interview in Scanner Fanzine Issue 3

 "Among the many bands on the bill are some of the veterans of the punk/new wave explosion of the late 1970s including... ...the seemingly indestructible UK Subs. Still fronted by Charlie Harper, who first formed the band as an Elizabethan madrigal quartet sometime in the 1600s, UK Subs were one of the original punk bands from 1976 and are notable not least for the fact of having been through at least 35 drummers in their 35-year history."

 

Laughing Nick Horton - Dorset Echo - 12th August 2011 Laughing

 T&M website born: October 2008 .
Official launch date: 1 December 2009.

 The basis of ‘Time and Matter’ is to provide a chronological listing, day by day; month by month; year by year of the band’s many activities.

Our aim is to provide as full an historical archive of the
U.K. Subs as possible... Full website editors' statement... click here 

Quick editor contacts:
MARK CHADDERTON: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ROBERT COOK: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

You can contact us by snail mail as well:

Time & Matter Recordings, P.O.Box 5261, CV37 1JR

Please Note: This address is for website correspondence only, we are unable to accept post for any of the band members. (This applies to e-mail messages too.) Thanks.

 

Beware! Completionists at work!

 


T&M

 

Keep spreading the Subs love
Mark Chadderton | Rob Cook
T&M website editors

alt

 

 

 

 Time don't matter at all...