Career
Cockney Rejects were formed in 1977 by brothers Jeff and Micky Geggus, with their brother-in-law Chris Murrell on bass and Paul Harvey on drums. Their first demo, "Flares n' Slippers", caught the attention of Small Wonder Records owner Pete Stennett, who introduced the band to Bob Sergeant. With Sergeant, they recorded their single "Flares n' Slippers", which sold out its first pressing. Murrell and Harvey were then replaced by Vince Riordan on bass and Andy Scott on drums, from fellow East End London band, The Tickets. This became known as Cockney Rejects' classic lineup, and its debut at the Bridge House in Canning Town in June 1979 is considered a turning point for the band. In September of that same year, the band signed with EMI and released their album Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 in February 1980.
Their biggest hit single in the United Kingdom, 1980's "The Greatest Cockney Rip-Off", was a parody of Sham 69's song "Hersham Boys". Other Cockney Rejects songs were less commercial, partly because they tended to be about hard-edged topics such as street fighting or football hooliganism. Other singles to appear in the UK were "Bad Man," "We Can Do Anything," "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles " and "We Are the Firm" — all from 1980.
The violence depicted in their lyrics was often mirrored at their concerts, and the band members often fought to defend themselves (often from supporters of opposing football teams) or to split up conflicts between audience members. Jeff and Mick Geggus (who are brothers) had both been amateur youth boxers, and had fought at the national level. Bass player Vince Riordan's uncle was Jack "The Hat" McVitie, a Cockney gangster who was murdered by Reggie Kray.
Cockney Rejects expressed contempt for all politicians in their lyrics, and they rejected media claims that they had a British Movement following, or that the band members supported the views of that far right group. In their first Sounds interview, they mockingly referred to the British Movement as the "German Movement" and stated that many of their heroes were black boxers. Jeff Turner's autobiography Cockney Reject describes an incident in which the band members and their supporters had a massive fight against British Movement members at one of Cockney Rejects' early concerts.
EMI records released a definitive Rejects retrospective on 29 August 2011. Called Join the Rejects, the Zonophone years '79-'81, it was a three-disc collection of all their EMI recordings including all the Peel sessions and rare demos from the day. Also included was a colour booklet with a blow-by-blow account of the stories behind the music by Micky Geggus.
The Rejects movie East End Babylon and an album of the same name were released in 2013.
Tony Van Frater died in October 2015, aged 51.
In February 2016, it was announced that former Cockney Reject bass player Vince Riordan had re-joined the band again.
The group were slated to perform their first Australian shows in February 2019, however a family emergency necessitated the postponement of the concerts to July. The concerts were later rescheduled to October and went ahead that month to critical acclaim.
http://www.cockneyrejects.com/
https://myspace.com/readytoruck/bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_Rejects
https://www.facebook.com/TheCockneyRejects
http://www.discogs.com/artist/254787
Hate of the City
Cockney Rejects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
never been hit before
company executives thread you
into the floor
well i ain't taking it
i'don't care what you say
there's an open world out there
i've got to get away
this is, the hate of the city
this is, the hate of the city
i don't want your pity
i'm trapped by the hate of the city
mindless thousands are
wearing three piece suits
while i get done for wearing
steel capped boots
so work work you office jerk
i know you're just like me
the only difference is you don't care
and i just wanna be me
and i'm wondering, if you're alright jack
i just want the chance,
to put you on your back
this is, the hate of the city
this is, your world
this is, the place you live in
this is, the hate of the city
one- now listen to me
two- and listen well
three- i'm not useless
four- because i can't spell
five- you can take us or leave us
six - it's up to you
seven- it's no skin off my back
eight- so bollocks to you
The lyrics of Cockney Rejects' "Hate of the City" speak to the frustration and resentment of those who feel trapped in urban life, surrounded by a society that values corporate conformity and material success over individuality and self-expression. The opening lines express the difficulty of rebellion when one has never felt the consequences of opposing authority. The second verse elaborates on this idea, as the singer reflects on the unfair treatment he receives for choosing to dress differently than those around him. He recognizes that he is not the only one who feels this way, and that the only difference between him and those who conform is that they are too apathetic to resist.
The chorus serves as a statement of rebellion and defiance. The repetition of the phrase "this is the hate of the city" suggests that the city itself is the source of the singer's frustration and that he has had enough. He doesn't want pity from those who cannot understand what he is going through. The final verse takes a more confrontational tone, as the singer challenges those who oppress him directly. He questions whether they are happy with themselves, and vows to fight for his right to be different.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hate of the City" are a plea for individuality and freedom amidst a society that demands conformity. The song exemplifies the punk rock ethos of rejecting authority and resisting social norms that stifle individual expression.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you tell if you've never been hit before
Unless you've experienced physical pain, you won't understand what it's like to be in my position
company executives thread you into the floor
People in power treat workers inhumanely and without respect
well i ain't taking it i'don't care what you say
I refuse to put up with mistreatment, and I don't care about your words or opinions
there's an open world out there i've got to get away
I want to escape this suffocating environment and explore the outside world
this is, the hate of the city
The city represents all the negative aspects of society that I despise
i don't want your pity i'm trapped by the hate of the city
I don't want your sympathy, but I feel stuck in this city that fills me with anger and negativity
mindless thousands are wearing three piece suits while i get done for wearing steel capped boots
People who blindly conform to societal norms are praised, while I'm criticized for expressing my unique identity
so work work you office jerk i know you're just like me
Despite our different professions, we have similar struggles and desires
the only difference is you don't care and i just wanna be me
You lack empathy or concern for others, whereas I prioritize authenticity and individuality
and i'm wondering, if you're alright jack
I'm questioning whether you're truly happy, or just blindly adhering to society's expectations
i just want the chance, to put you on your back
I want the opportunity to humble you and prove that societal norms are not the only path to success
this is, your world
The world you created and perpetuate is the cause of my anger and frustration
this is, the place you live in
This city is your permanent residence, but I long to escape it and its toxic atmosphere
one- now listen to me
Pay attention to what I'm about to say
two- and listen well
Take my words seriously and with full attention
three- i'm not useless
I have value and worth, despite what society may say
four- because i can't spell
Don't judge or underestimate me based on my lack of educational attainment
five- you can take us or leave us six - it's up to you
It's your decision whether to accept or reject us, but we won't change for anyone
seven- it's no skin off my back
Your disapproval or rejection won't affect me or diminish my self-worth
eight- so bollocks to you
I reject your judgment and criticism, and will continue to be true to myself
Contributed by Liam C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.