UK Subs

"This one takes some concentration"

Above: Shake Up The City UK release, 1982, front & back cover.
Click to enlarge.

Cat. No: ABS 012
Label: Abstract
Recorded: 1982
Released: October 1982

A-Side: Self Destruct (Harper, Garratt)
Run-out groove: STRAWBERRY ABS 012 A1

B-Side: Police State (Part 1) (Harper, Garratt)
War of the Roses (Garratt)
Run-out groove: ABS 012 A1

Line Up

Vocals: Charlie Harper
Guitar: Nicky Garratt
Bass: Alvin Gibbs
Drums: Kim Wylie

Recorded at Jacobs Studios and produced by Tony Spath as part of the A.W.O.L sessions. The last 7" single from the Harper/Garratt/Gibbs line-up (for now) and the last to be released in more than one country (a 12" version was released in Germany on Intercord). The front cover features some view finder markings in yellow that don't appear on the 12" version.

Police State (Part 2) appears on the vinyl release of A.W.O.L. and is a different recording of the second slower part of Part 1, so perhaps it should be Part 1 and 2?

War of the Roses is one of the few Subs songs with lyrics by Nicky Garratt, with the lyrics being written about the fighting at gigs in the north east of England.

The only piece of new material to be released on Abstract who would go on to re-release the first four albums on cassette, vinyl and CD. The booklet with the Abstract Punk Singles CD includes this from Mark Brennan; "Abstract was originally started on 1st April 1981 by Edward Christie, a former promotions man at CBS and GTO Records. Edward had also worked at GEM Records and was responsible for signing the UK Subs, The VIPS and The Killermeters amongst others. Following the collapse of GEM, due to RCA withdrawing its financial backing, he set up Abstract..."

The release was followed by a short UK tour to promote the single.

Click on images to enlarge
Red Vinyl A-Side Red Vinyl B-Side
Black Vinyl A-Side Black Vinyl B-Side

Below: Original photo used for the single sleeve - click image to enlarge.

The above piece of Subs memorabilia was submitted to the website by Patrick Kerrane, who had this to share as to how it came into his collection:

"Before Nicky Garratt moved to the States I went up to London to visit him. That's how I come to have various pictures and memorabilia which he so kindly he let me have..."