The Blood The Gonads South London 5 Hull 4

The Blood/The Gonads 'South London 5 Hull 4 (Full Time Result)' (Link Records, 1988)

The most surprising thing about this record is the fact that it sells for up to £50. That's amazing and I'm going to put it in a protective sleeve. Although I really needn't bother because the likelihood of me listening to it ever again, thus causing wear and tear, is minimal.

The Blood kick off their charmingly entitled side, 'Comin' Blood' (previously their moniker), with the semi -decent 'Stark Raving Normal' followed by the equally acceptable, yet misspelt, 'Meglomania' and 'Such Fun'. All three are energetic pogo friendly tracks with amusing lyrics directed against organised religion and the average Joe. Cardinal Jesus Hate spits out vitriol like the loudmouth drunk at the pub after the football and guitarist JJ Bedsore rocks out with aplomb.

Unfortunately, the music soon dips in quality and the production is horrible on the next four tracks where Bedsore's guitar is verging on noise, swamping everything apart from an annoyingly bubbly bass. Admittedly the tracks are demos, so maybe there are punk completists who cherish these versions which could explain the inflated value of the disc.

The Gonads are risible. Featuring Garry Bushell on vocals, the whole enterprise is a joke allowing 'Gal Gonad' to record with his mates from The Business and take the mickey out of The Monkees, Cockney Rejects, Charlie Harper of UK Subs, Johnny Rotten and various other punk and Oi contemporaries. 'The Drinking Song' features the dulcet tones of Mr Bedsore, a guest appearance probably arranged by The Blood's manager; a certain Garry Bushell! It seems that the Oi scene was quite incestuous in those days with The Blood only really gaining any sort of success after being introduced to Mr 'On the Box' by Stinky Turner of the Cockney Rejects.

Despite his very average musical output Bushell is quite a character who has led a very interesting rock and roll lifestyle and I would recommend his autobiography 'Bushell on the Rampage' even to those who dislike him. He has carefully constructed his image as a semi bigoted 'voice of the working man', but it's debatable as to whether or not he is always 'on the wind up' as he would say!

Notwithstanding the death of JJ Bedsore, perhaps unsurprisingly from chronic alcoholism, and Garry's burgeoning journalism career both bands can still be found playing the punk rock nostalgia circuit. There's no accounting for taste, something that was not on either band's agenda!

Peace