GBH, also known as Charged G.B.H, are a hardcore punk band from Birmingham… Read Full Bio ↴GBH, also known as Charged G.B.H, are a hardcore punk band from Birmingham, England. The band formed in 1978, and were known as Charged GBH from their formation until 1984. The band's original lineup was Colin (Col) Abrahall on vocals, Colin (Jock) Blyth on guitar, Ross Lomas on bass, and Andrew Williams on drums. The band mostly toured in England during the 1980s, however they did make several excursions out of the island, including several tours to the United States. Some of their most famous shows that they played during the 1980s were at the 100 Club in Oxford Street in London. They are considered by many to be pioneers in the UK punk rock genre, specifically in hardcore.

1982 saw GBH's first LP, City Baby Attacked By Rats. The album was marked lyrically with harsh criticism of British and European culture, typical of UK punk. It was also full of 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, social anarchism, and generalised absurdity. However not political, the album's lyrics do seem remarkably socially aware. This kind of content would later follow up in later GBH releases. Musically, the album was loud, and fast, with most songs staying under three minutes, typical of the hardcore punk genre. This is also a trademark of future GBH releases.

In 1983 the band changed their name to simply GBH, arguably just because the word "Charged" in front of their name had dropped from the lingo of many of their fans. (The name change was announced at a gig in the now defunct 'Golden Eagle' public house, where GBH were playing along with ex-Hawkwind sax player Nik Turner's 'Inner City Unit').

GBH are known to be pioneers of the UK82 second wave of British punk rock in the 1980s, along with fellow pioneers Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited, The Varukers. and The Skeptix.

The band has, for the most part, kept true to its original punk rock roots since its formation, unlike many other former punk bands, especially hardcore bands, who later formed the Post-Punk genre of the mid to late 80s. However the band has experimented with, alongside many other hardcore punk bands, notably The Exploited, a bit of what is known as metal crossover. Metal Crossover is when punk bands use riffs of heavy metal in their music, usually just as a break in the monotony of the traditional two and three chord, punk rock sound. Some punk rock purists argue that when punk bands do this they break from the original punk sound, and therefore become simply metal bands. The band, though, maintains that they are, in fact, still a punk rock band. However, the band has done this quite a lot, especially experimenting with it heavily in their 1992 release Church of the Truly Warped. This sound carried over even into their latest LPs. However, they have been falling back more on their original punk rock sound roots recently.

The band is still active and touring, even among many circulating rumours about a break up. The band maintains a strong cult following both in England and the rest of Europe, as well as in America and Japan, where some say that punk is still in its elementary to mid-stages.

Transylvanian Perfume
GBH Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everywhere I go, everyone I see,
Knows the secret languishing down inside of me.
A change of scene could be the key,
Go to the cupboard, take out the bottle and splash it all over me.

But it's Transylvanian Perfume swirling round,
Release the beast that hides behind your brow.
Transylvanian Perfume drink it in,

It's the musk of lust as it'll take you up where you've never ever been.

It's duty free,
It's real scary.
It's a magnet glue,
It's the stuff for you, this stuff is tough !

Ply 'em with a drink to get 'em hooked,
I'm an evil essence, no odour clone, I can't be overlooked.

Watch 'em for a while I gotta' choose,
The night is young, the moon is bright an' I got my blue suede shoes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of GBH's song Transylvanian Perfume suggest that the singer is seeking a change of scenery in order to escape their personal woes. They reveal that they posses a secret which they feel is noticed by all those around them. The singer then introduces the idea of Transylvanian Perfume; a fictional scent which, when used, releases a primal and bestial desire. The singer urges their audience to embrace this primal desire and allow it to take them places they have never been before.

The idea of Transylvanian Perfume could be interpreted as a metaphor for a number of things. It could represent the release of our true nature or a rejection of societal constructs. Alternatively, it could be seen as an invitation to give in to one's carnal desires. The imagery used in the lyrics is Gothic and sinister, further emphasising the theme of forbidden and dangerous desires.

The song is an example of GBH's punk-influenced sound which focuses on themes such as anarchism, anti-fascism and resistance against authority. The band formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, and Transylvanian Perfume was included on their 1982 album, City Baby Attacked by Rats. The song is thought to be an indictment of consumerism and the way it can be used to manipulate people.

Line by Line Meaning

Everywhere I go, everyone I see, Knows the secret languishing down inside of me.
No matter where I go or who I meet, they somehow sense the secret within me that I keep hidden.

A change of scene could be the key, Go to the cupboard, take out the bottle and splash it all over me.
Perhaps a new environment could help me escape my current troubles. I'll get some Transylvanian Perfume from the cupboard and apply it liberally to myself.

But it's Transylvanian Perfume swirling round, Release the beast that hides behind your brow.
It's the scent of Transylvanian Perfume that's affecting me now, causing me to let loose the wilder, more primal part of myself.

Transylvanian Perfume drink it in, It's the musk of lust as it'll take you up where you've never ever been.
Drinking in the aroma of Transylvanian Perfume is intoxicating, it's like the essence of lust that can transport me to new heights of pleasure.

It's duty free, It's real scary.
It's available without tax, but it's also quite frightening at the same time.

It's a magnet glue, It's the stuff for you, this stuff is tough !
Transylvanian Perfume has a powerful magnetic pull that makes it irresistible, it's not for the faint of heart.

Ply 'em with a drink to get 'em hooked, I'm an evil essence, no odour clone, I can't be overlooked.
I use alcohol to manipulate others into trying Transylvanian Perfume, a scent that's unique and can't be imitated, and once they've experienced it they'll never forget it.

Watch 'em for a while I gotta' choose, The night is young, the moon is bright an' I got my blue suede shoes
I'll observe people for a bit before deciding who to introduce to Transylvanian Perfume, it's still early in the night, the moon is out, and I'm ready to go.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN ABRAHALL, COLIN BLYTH, ROSS LOMAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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