Cock Sparrer

• Genre: Oi/Street Punk

About

The heart of Oi!/Streepunk was in London's East End, where being Working Class and ostracized weren't trendy Punk aspirations, but an everyday reality. Cock Sparrer emerged from the East End's burnt-out streets, with a message of working class pride and unity for Punk youth. Combining Punk, '70s Rock 'n' Roll and the steady, sing-a-long pace of group soccer chants, Cock Sparrer came to embody the sound of Oi! in its earliest incarnation. To this day, their debut LP, "Shook Troops" remains one of Oi's most revered albums, and virtually defines the sound of Streetpunk. In terms of standouts, few Oi! enthusiasts will argue that Cock Sparrer represent the very best the genre has to offer, and are (in)arguably the best Oi! band of all time.

- Kali Holloway