The Straps
| The Straps | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Battersea, South London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Punk rock, streetpunk |
| Years active | 1978–1983, 1993, 2005–2007, 2011-present |
| Labels | Donut Records, Cyclops, Strapped for Cash Records, Flicknife Records |
| Associated acts | Andi Sex Gang, Sex Gang Children, Epileptics, The Pack, Theatre of Hate, Spear of Destiny, Crisis, The Wall, Public Image Ltd., The Human Condition, UK Subs, Bartok, Freakshow 1984, Concrete Gods, Morgellons |
| Website | Facebook page |
| Members | John Grant Dave Reeves Pete Davies Phil McDermott Mark Geraghty |
| Past members | Green Andi Sex Gang Steve MacIntosh Andy "Heed" Forbes Stan Stammers Luke Rendle Cliff Jim Walker Jonathan Werner Simon Werner Pete Davies Stuart Phillips Mark Hobbs Lloyd Dudley |
The Straps are an English streetpunk band, formed in 1978 in Battersea, South London by vocalist John Grant (aka Jock Strap) and guitarist Dave Reeves.
The band played their first gig at the Park Tavern in Streatham on 28 September 1978 with the UK Subs, The Tickets and Security Risk. Their original bassist, Green, died of a heroin overdose shortly after the first show, and was temporarily replaced on bass by Grant's roommate, Andi Sex Gang, for a show at the Latchmere Pub in Battersea.
Stan Stammers, a former Epileptics bassist, joined in 1979, and guitarist Steve MacIntosh was replaced by Andy "Heed" Forbes. Drummers in this period included Luke Rendle (previously of Crisis) and the short-lived member Cliff. Stammers and Rendle left to join The Pack, who turned into Theatre of Hate, while Forbes left to join The Wall.
For the recording of The Straps' debut single, 1980's "Just Can't Take Anymore" (Donut Records), the lineup was Grant, Reeves and three former members of The Pack: Jim Walker (also original drummer of Public Image Ltd.) and brothers Jonathan and Simon Werner. The same lineup recorded their second single, "Brixton," likewise released in 1982 on Walker's Donut label. The band's debut album was issued in 1982 on the Cyclops label. The album featured UK Subs drummer Pete Davies (Walker only played on one track, departing for The Human Condition) and guest appearances by Andi Sex Gang and The Damned's Rat Scabies.
The Straps enjoyed a cult following around London, and performed alongside The Damned on their 1980 Black Album tour, as well as Sham 69 and Stiff Little Fingers, before splitting in 1983.
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