Cock Sparrer

History

Cock Sparrer stand as one of the most influential working‑class punk bands to emerge from the UK. Though they never achieved major commercial success, their impact on street punk, Oi!, and the broader punk movement is enormous. Formed in London’s East End in the early 1970s by a tight group of childhood friends, they helped define the sound, attitude, and ethos of an entire subculture.

The band began in 1972 under the name Cock Sparrow, built around four schoolmates who had been playing together since age 11 as Colin McFaull on vocals, Mick “Micky” Beaufoy on lead guitar, Steve “Burge” Burgess on bass and Steve “Spider” Bruce on drums.

Their early style was rooted in pub rock, glam rock, and 1960s beat music, drawing influence from Slade, the Small Faces, and The Who. By the mid‑1970s they adopted the name Cock Sparrer, reflecting their East End roots. In 1976, they briefly crossed paths with Malcolm McLaren, who considered signing them alongside his new project, the Sex Pistols. The deal famously collapsed – McLaren wouldn’t buy them a round of beers, and the band refused to cut their hair. Cock Sparrer were never art‑school punks; they were street‑level, working‑class lads whose songs reflected realism, football culture, and East End life.

By the mid‑1970s, Cock Sparrer were playing London nightclubs and developing the raw, anthemic style that would later be recognized as streetpunk/Oi!. In 1977, they added Garrie “Gal” Lammin (Burgess’s cousin) as a second guitarist and signed with Decca Records, who hoped to cash in on the punk explosion. Their debut single “Runnin’ Riot” (May 1977) failed to chart, and subsequent singles also struggled. Decca dropped them in 1978. Before the split, the band had recorded a full album, released only in Spain as Cock Sparrer (1978). It wouldn’t receive a proper UK release until 1987, when Razor Records issued it as True Grit.

By 1980, the band had effectively disbanded. As the Oi! movement took shape in the early 1980s, Cock Sparrer’s early songs began appearing on compilation albums, sparking renewed interest. Their working‑class authenticity resonated with a new generation of punks.

They re‑formed in 1982 and signed with Carrere Records, releasing “England Belongs to Me” (single) and Shock Troops (1982/83), now considered one of the most important Oi! and street‑punk albums ever recorded with several genre‑defining anthems: Where Are They Now, Riot Squad and I Got Your Number.

Lineup changes followed: Mick Beaufoy left in 1984, replaced first by Shug O’Neill, then Chris Skepis. The band released Running Riot in ’84 later that year. Cock Sparrer reunited again in 1992, this time with Daryl Smith joining as rhythm guitarist. This lineup – McFaull, Beaufoy, Burgess, Bruce, and Smith—became the stable modern formation.

Colin “Col” McFaull – Vocals (1972–1978, 1982–1987, 1992–present)
Micky “Mick” Beaufoy – Lead Guitar (1972–1978, 1982–1983, 1987, 1992–present)
Steve “Burge” Burgess – Bass (1972–1978, 1982–1987, 1992–present)
Steve “Spider” Bruce – Drums (1972–1978, 1982–1987, 1992–present)
Daryl Smith – Rhythm Guitar (1992–present)

They released Guilty as Charged (1994), Two Monkeys (1997) and Here We Stand (2007).

Throughout the 2000s they headlined major punk festivals, including Rebellion (Vienna and Blackpool), Punk & Disorderly (Berlin), and Riot Fest (Chicago). Their reputation as a live band grew even stronger, drawing multigenerational crowds.

Cock Sparrer have continued to tour internationally and release new music well into the 21st century. Their later‑career albums show a band still committed to melody, grit, and working‑class storytelling with Forever (2017), and Hand on Heart (2024).

Despite decades in the game, they remain one of the most respected and beloved punk bands worldwide.

Discography

Official Productions
1977 – Running Riot / Sister Suzie – Decca Records – EP – UK
1977 – We love you / Chip on my shoulder – Decca Records – EP – UK
1978 – Cock Sparrer – Decca Records – EP – Spain
1982 – England belongs to me / Argy Bargy – Carrere Records – EP
1982 – Shock Troops – Carrere Records – LP
1984 – Running Riot in`84 – Syndicate Records – LP
1987 – True Grit – Razor Records – LP – UK
1987 – Live & Loud – Link Records – LP

1988 – Runnin’ Riot – Link Records (re-issue of Runnin’ Riot In 84) – LP
1991 – Runnig Riot/Live & Loud – Link Records – CD
1991 – Shock Troops – Link Records – LP
1992 – Rarities – Link Records/Captain Oi Records – CD

1992 – Shock Troops / Runnin’ Riot In 84 – Slogan Records – CD
1993 – Rumours Carry More Weight Than Fact (The best of Cocksparrer) – Step 1 Records – CD
1994 – Guilty as charged – Bitzcore Records – LP/CD
1995 – Run away – Bitzcore Records – 10″ EP/MCD
1997 – Two monkeys – Bitzcore Records – LP/CD
1997 – England belongs to me – Harry May Record Company – CD
1999 – Bloody Minded (Best of) – Dr. Strange/Bitzcore – LP/CD
2000 – Diamonds & Pearls – DSS Records – CD
2000 – Live-Running Riot across the USA – TKO Records – CD
2001 – Out on the streets again – ??? – EP
2001 – Rumours carry more weight than fact/Best of… – ??? – CD
2003 – Live-Back Home – ??? – CD

2006 – The Decca Years – Captain Oi! Records
2004 – The Best Of Cock Sparrer – Recall – 2CD
2007 – Here we stand – Captain Oi! Records – CD
2007 – Too Late / Because Youre Young – Captain Oi! Records
2008 – Did You Have A Nice Life Without Me? / So Many Things – Dirty Punk
2008 – True to yourself / chip on my shoulder (live) – TKO Records – EP
2008 – Spirit of ’76 – Pirate Press Records – laser etched.

Live Albums and Bootlegs
1987 – Live and Loud – Link Records
1988 – Running Riot in`84 – Link Records – LP
1991 – Shock Troops – Link Records – LP
1998 – Live & Loud – Catfish Records – CD
2000 – Live: Runnin’ Riot Across The USA – CD
2002 – Running Riot in`84/Live & Loud – Taang Records – CD
2003 – Back Home – Captain Oi! Records – CD
2009 – Two monkeys – Captain Oi – CD/Picture-LP
2009 – Guilty as charged – Captain Oi – CD/Picture-LP

Samplers
100% British Oi! (CD1: 12. Chip on my Shoulder)
Strength Thru Oi! (10. Taken for a Ride (We Think You Don’t), 16. Running Riot)
The best of Oi! – Vol. 1 (06. England Belongs To Me, 13. Running Riot)
The best of Oi! – Vol. 2 (05. Chip On My Shoulder (live), 17. Take ‘Em All)
The best of Oi! – Vol. 3 (04. Working)

Track Lists

Running Riot
01. Running Riot
02. Sister Suzie

We Love You
01. We Love You
02. Chip On My Shoulder

Cock Sparrer
01. Again and Again
02. Runnin’ Riot
03. Teenage Heart

England Belongs To Me
01. England Belongs To Me
02. Argy Bargy

Run Away EP

01. Run Away Johnny
02. Why Cant You See
03. Sunday Stripper
04. Were Coming Back

Shock Troops
01. Where Are They Now? (2:58)
02. Riot Squad (2:44)
03. Working (2:46)
04. Take ‘Em All (2:33)
05. We’Re Coming Back (3:23)
06. England Belongs To Me (3:04)
07. Watch Your Back (2:20)
08. I Got Your Number (2:48)
09. Secret Army (1:55)
10. Droogs Don’T Run (2:54)
11. Out On An Island (4:38)

Running Riot in`84
01. Run With The Blind
02. Is Anybody There?
03. Price Too High To Pay
04. Think Again
05. Don`T Say A Word
06. The Sun Says
07. They Mean Murder
08. Closedown
09. Chip On My Shoulder (Live)
10. Running Riot (Live)

True Grit
01. We Love You
02. Sister Suzie
03. Platinum Blonde
04. Taken For A Ride
05. Again & Again
06. Running Riot
07. Chip On My Shoulder
08. Watcha Gonna Do About This
09. Teenage Heart
10. I Need A Witness

This is the UK release of the band’s 1978 album called Cock Sparrer EP – Spain

Live & Loud
01. Riot Squad
02. Watch Your Back
03. I Got Your Number
04. Take ‘Em All
05. We Love You
06. Working
07. Argy Bargy
08. Where Are They Now?
09. White Riot
10. Runnin Riot
11. The Sun Says
12. Secret Army
13. England Belongs To Me
14. Ship On My Shoulder

Rarities
01. Again & Again (2:44)
02. We Love You (4:06)
03. Trouble On The Terraces (4:13)
04. Watcha Gonna Do About It (3:11)
05. I Need A Witness (3:46)
06. Running Riot (3:33)
07. Platinum Blonde (3:12)
08. What’S It Like To Be Old? (3:17)
09. Sister Suzie (3:35)
10. Teenage Heart (2:22)
11. Chip On My Shoulder I (2:03)
12. Taken For A Ride (2:07)
13. Chip On My Shoulder Ii (3:07)

The Best Of Cock Sparrer (STEP 1 1993)
01. Runnin Riot
02. Chip On My Shoulder
03. We Love You
04. Sister Suzie
05. Taken For A Ride
06. Again & Again
07. Whats It Like To Be Old?
08. England Belongs To Me
09. Argy Bargy
10. Working
11. Ive Got Your Number
12. Watch Your Back
13. Riot Squad (live)

14. Where Are They Now? (live)
15. White Riot (live)
16. The Sun Says
17. Run With The Blind
18. Price To High To Pay
19. Is Anybody There?
20. Closedown
21. Think Again
22. Out On An Island

Guilty As Charged
01. Get A Rope (3:13)
02. Because You’Re Young (3:45)
03. Bird Trouble (4:13)
04. Don’T Blame Us (3:12)
05. Roads To Freedom (3:51)
06. Last Train To Dagenham (2:33)
07. I Fit Central Heating (4:01)
08. Strip (3:46)
09. Crack In The Mirror (5:43)
10. We Know How To Live (3:53)
11. Tough Guys (3:44)

Run Away
01. Run Away Johnny
02. Why Can`t You See?
03. Sunday Stripper (New Version)
04. Secret Army (Live In Berlin ’94)
05. Because You`Re Young (Live In Berlin ’94)
06. Chip On My Shoulder (Live In Leipzig ’94)
07. We`Re Coming Back (Live In Milano/It. ’94)

Two Monkeys
01. A.U. (3:51)
02. Before The Flame Dies (3:03)
03. Tart (2:55)
04. Lies? (3:29)
05. East End Girl (3:41)
06. Anthem (4:19)
07. Time To Be Me (3:41)
08. I Live In Marbella (Working Part Iii) (4:11)
09. Bats Out (3:26)
10. Battersea Bardot (3:20)
11. I Feel Death Coming On (3:43)
12. Back Home (1:59)
13. Goodbye (3:27)

England Belongs To Me
01. Running Riot
02. Trouble On The Terraces
03. We Love You
04. Chip On My Shoulder
05. Taken For A Ride
06. Sister Suzie
07. Watcha Gonna Do About It
08. Again And Again
09. What’S It Like To Be Old
10. England Belongs To Me
11. Working
12. Riot Squad
13. Where Are They Now
14. Argy Bargy
15. The Sun Stays
16. Price To High To Pay
17. Run With The Blind
18. Closedown
19. White Riot (live)
20. Out On An Island

Bloody Minded (Best of)
01. Because You’re Young (3:44)
02. Last Train To Dagenham (2:34)
03. Bird Trouble (4:10)
04. Tough Guys (3:40)
05. Sunday Stripper (3:22)
06. A.U. (3:55)
07. I Feel A Death Coming On (3:46)
08. Bats Out (3:28)
09. Where Are They Now (2:58)
10. Running Riot (3:20)
11. Argy Bargy (2:36)
12. Run Away Johnny (3:23)
13. Take ‘Em All (2:33)
14. England Belongs To Me (Live) (3:03)

Diamonds & Pearls
01. Runnin´Riot
02. We Love You
03. Again And Again
04.Taken For A Ride
05.Teenage Heart
06. Sister Suzie
07. Chip On Your Shoulder
08. Platinum Blonde
09. Whatcha Gonna Do About It?
10. I Need A Witness

Here We Stand
01. Too Late (3:01)
02. Gotta Get Out (3:33)
03. Did You Have A Nice Life Without Me? (3:01)
04. True To Yourself (3:28)
05. Time To Make Your Move (2:37)
06. Will You? (3:30)
07. Better Than This (3:31)
08. Don’T Stop (3:39)
09. Spirit Of ’76 (3:55)
10. So Many Things (3:27)
11. Last Orders (2:27)
12. Despite All This (3:02)
13. Sussed (3:08)
14. Suicide Girls (3:02)

Two Monkeys
01. A.U.
02. Before The Flame Dies
03. Tart
04. Lies
05. East End Girl
06. Anthem
07. Time To Be Me
08. I Live In Marbella
09. Bats Out
10. Battersea Bardot
11. I Feel A Death Coming On
12. Back Home
13. Goodbye
14. Sunday Stripper (Live 2000)
15. Secret Army (Live 2000)
16. Where Are They Now (Live 2000)
17. Runnin’ Riot (Live 2000)

Guilty As Charged

True To Yourself
01. True To Yourself
02. Chip On My Shoulder (Live)

Running Riot across the USA (Live)
01. Riot squad
02. Watch your back
03. Working
04. Teenage heart
05. Argy Bargy
06. Runaway Johnny
07. Take ’em all
08. A.U.
09. I got your number
10. Because your’re young
11. We love you
12. Secret Army
13. Where are they now?
14. Running Riot
15. Sunday Stripper
16. Chip on my shoulder
17. England belongs to me
18. We`re coming back
19. England belongs to me

Back Home (Live)
01. Riot Squad
02. Watch Your Back
03. Working
04. Teenage Heart
05. What’s It Like To be Old?
06. Closedown
07. Get A Rope
08. Argy Bargy
09. Run Away Johnny
10. Tough Guys
11. Take `Em All
12. A.U.
13. Don’t Blame Us
14. I Got Your Number
15. Because You’re Young
16. Secret Army / Where Are They Now?
17. Runnin’ Riot
18. Sunday Stripper
19. Chip On My Shoulder
20. White Riot
21. England Belongs To Me
22. We’re Coming Back