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Rating: There was talk of "rock against racism," now with the Business we talk about "OI! against racism." A London-based band formed in the late seventies, they made their recording debut in 1983 with "Suburban Rebels." Having learned the lessons from the first wave of street punk, the Business bring their "studies" to light by recording this enjoyable album produced by Secret. Given the fluidity and quality material contained within, the band keeps the flag of the second punk Oi! wave flying high, achieving notable success even in the U.S.A. As I was saying earlier, the topics discussed are, like the vast majority of Oi! bands, close to anti-racism and factory workers, also showing a real obsession with football, to the point of recording in the future "England 5 - Germany 1."
The album in question is played mainly with four chords, with some "refined" strumming from time to time and very rare rock solos. Instrumentally, it is simple and direct, with the drums and bass recorded at monstrously high volumes, almost overshadowing the guitar parts. This denotes a much more stadium-like impact in these tracks, also considering the widespread group chants everywhere. The music is not particularly fast (considering current punk) and relies heavily on the vocal part, with Fitz's excellent voice executing vocal lines that are not predictable and ordinary with his impartial tone. Close to the people, they don't fail to spell out some classic "folkloric" ballads like in "drinking and driving," but the entire rest of the album plays entirely with the distorted channel.
"Suburban Rebels" is a good listen, we can find classic tracks like "Nobody Listened" whose fury immediately involves the listener, "Mortgage Mentality," an extravagant track that starts like a pop song and then continues more furious than ever, or "Blind Justice" where we find an embarrassing resemblance to their cousins Angelic Upstarts. Nothing more to add, the tracks are all good, all marked by the same imprint and all equally valid and fresh.
Recently, this work has been reissued (also on vinyl) by Captain Oi!, enriched with bonus tracks, I don't want to be intrusive but it seems like an essential purchase for enthusiasts and a great way to get closer to this music for the curious.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Blind Justice (02:57)
Burn, Burn, Burn the paper screamed out loud
Die, Die, Die, sang the voices in the crowd
Lock him up and throw him in a cell
He didn't really do it and you know full well
So, burn, burn, burn the papers screamed out loud
Die, Die, Die sang the voices in the crowd
[Chorus:]
And when it was over where did you go
To look at the photos of a dead hero
He was a victim of inhuman revenge
He was a scapegoat for political ends
And no one knows if he did it or not
They never thought of that when they tightend the knot
Burn, burn, burn the papers screamed out loud
Die, die, die sang the voices in the crowd
Lock him up and throw him in a cell
He didn't really do it and you know full well
He didn't do it, He didn't do it
He wasn't there but you don't really care
08 Guttersnipe (03:16)
You preach anarchy, but you make the rules
Setting up heros like celluloid fools
In 20 lines you put the the world to right
You're anti war, but you wanna fight
[Chorus:]
Guttersnipe, Guttersnipe
you ain't so right
you ain't worth, ain't worth a light
You spread the lies to hide the truth
leaders of the misled youth
Promote the myth to hide the vice
Intellects who don't think twice
You got your badges, you've got your causes
Label under civillian forces
In black and white upon your face
There's nothing but an empty space
09 Real Enemy (02:17)
Reality punk is all together
Fighting each other just ain't clever
You've got the wrong enemy picking on a friend
If we don't stand together then this is the end
Today's youth stand together
In your combat and leather
There's a cause a cause to fight
Not each other we must unite
Fight the real enemy <i>[x4]
Banned from the pubs everynight
Same old story will you ever see the light
Everyone toghter now listen to me
Don't fight each other fight the real enemy
12 Harry May (02:14)
Harry runs his business
From above the dodgy Ino
His brother is a chemist
It's a front for Anadin
What's his name? Harry May <i>[x2]
[Chorus:]
Harry <i>[x4]</i> May, Harry [x4] May
Harry's got a roller
A shooter in the boot
Killing is his living
It's where he makes his loot
Now he's turned 60
He's given up his shooter
And he's always on the piss
13 Drinking and Driving (03:08)
Half past 5 I'm in the pub
Six O'clock it's home for grub
Eight O'clock I'm back to the bar
Sod the walk I'll take the car
[Chorus:]
Knock it back
Have another one
Drinking and driving is so much fun
In the motor off you go
Not too fast and not too slow
Keep your head and keep your cool
Must avoid that rightful pull
As you meander down the road
Don't forget your highway code
See the spot and take your pick
Out of the car to be sick!.....
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