Cockney Rejects

ByLets Go Punk
Rebellious punk icons from London’s East End

Cockney Rejects are an English punk rock band formed in the East End of London in 1978. Known for sparking the Oi! genre with their 1980 hit “Oi, Oi, Oi” and their cover of “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” honoring West Ham United, they have built a legacy rooted in working-class life and defiant attitude.

Career

Formed in East London in the late 1970s, Cockney Rejects rejected the art-school punk scene in favor of a raw, working-class sound that resonated with the inner-city youth. Signed by EMI after just four gigs, they quickly rose to prominence with sell-out tours and a chart-topping debut album. Their wild appearances on shows like Top of the Pops earned them a notorious reputation, including a ban from the program. In 1980, they recorded their iconic version of “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” to celebrate West Ham United’s FA Cup final.

Throughout the 1990s, the band influenced new generations of punk acts such as Rancid and Green Day, and returned to the stage in 2000 to perform to large audiences worldwide. In January 2024, the Rejects evolved with a revitalized lineup featuring a new guitarist, bassist, and drummer, further cementing their enduring impact on the punk rock scene.

Members

Current Members

  • Jeff Geggus (Stinky Turner) – vocals (1978–present)
  • Michael (Olga) Algar – guitar (2024–present)
  • JJ Pearce – bass (2024–present)
  • Ray Bussey – drums (2024–present)

Discography

Albums

  • Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (EMI, 1980)
  • Greatest Hits Vol. II (EMI, 1980)
  • The Power and the Glory (EMI, 1981)
  • The Wild Ones (A.K.A. Records, 1982)
  • Quiet Storm (Heavy Metal Records, 1984)
  • Lethal (Neat Records, 1990)
  • Out of the Gutter (Captain Oi Records, 2002)
  • Unforgiven (G&R Records, 2007)
  • East End Babylon (Cadiz Music, 2012)
  • Power Grab (Cadiz Music, 2022)

EPs and Singles

  • “Flares & Slippers” b/w “I Wanna Be A Star” / “Police Car” (7-inch EP, Small Wonder, 1979)
  • “I’m Not a Fool” b/w “East End” (7-inch single, EMI, 1979) – UK No. 65
  • “Bad Man” b/w “New Song” (7-inch, EMI, 1980) – UK No. 65
  • “The Greatest Cockney Rip Off” b/w “Hate Of The City” (7-inch, Limited Edition Yellow Vinyl, EMI/Zonophone, 1980) – UK No. 21
  • “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” b/w “West Side Boys” (7-inch, EMI/Zonophone, 1980) – UK No. 35
  • “We Can Do Anything” b/w “15 Nights” (7-inch, EMI/Zonophone, 1980) – UK No. 65
  • “We Are the Firm” (7-inch, EMI/Zonophone, 1980) – UK No. 54
  • “Easy Life” (7-inch Live EP, EMI/Zonophone, 1981)
  • “On the Streets Again” (7-inch, EMI/Zonophone, 1981)
  • “Till the End of the Day” (7-inch, 1982)
  • “Back to the Start” (7-inch, Heavy Metal Records, 1984)
  • “It’s Gonna Kick Off!” (7-inch EP, Cadiz Music, 2016)
  • “Goodbye Upton Park” (7-inch, Cadiz Music, 2016)
  • “Bubbles/The Rocker” (7-inch Picture Disc, Cadiz Music, 2019)
  • “Chapecoense/Boss Of Bosses” (7-inch, Cadiz Music, 2019)

Compilation and Live Albums

  • Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (Live & Loud) (1981)
  • Unheard Rejects (1985 – demo tracks from 1979-1981)
  • We Are The Firm (1986)
  • The Best Of The Cockney Rejects (1993)
  • The Punk Singles Collection (Dojo, 1997)
  • Oi! Oi! Oi! (Castle, 1997)
  • Greatest Hits Volume 4: Here They Come Again (Rhythm Vicar, 2000; reissued as Back on the Street – Victory Records, 2000)
  • Hammer – The Classic Rock Years (Cadiz Music, 2013)

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