Formed by R&B singer Charlie Harper in 1976, the London punk band
U.K. Subs
may have tackled the occasional social or political topic, yet they were distinguished
by their roaring, rocking three-chord ravers.
In addition to Harper, the group featured
guitarist Nicky Garratt, bassist Paul Slack, and drummer Pete Davies.
The U.K. Subs released several singles in the late '70s, including
"Stranglehold" and "Tomorrow's Girls," which managed to hit the British Top 40.
As the '80s progressed, the band began to lose its audience as they incorporated
heavy metal into the sound. Throughout their career the band's lineup has been
fluctuating, with Harper
being the only constant in the group's career.
The U.K. Subs continued recording
right into the '90s, although the audience for albums like 1995's Punk Is Back and 1997's
Riot has decreased substantially.
~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide