The Rowdies

These records both by bands called The Rowdies are actually by two different bands, though not to many people are aware of this, as they are usually listed together in discographies, price guides etc.

The Rowdies who released ‘ACAB’ / ‘Negative Malfunction’ / ‘Free Zone’ (Birds Nest, 1978) were from Worcester and were Alan Emms (vocals), Rob Emms (rhythm guitar/vocals), Steve Sharp (lead guitar/vocals), Richard Kershaw (drums/vocals) and Kevin Ellison (bass).

They have a far more punk sound than the other band below. ‘ACAB’ is OK, but the best track is ‘Free Zone’ which is credited on the label as ‘Freeze Out’ with its sixties, psychedelic Nuggets feel. Steve Sharp who plays guitar on this is apparently unconnected with Stevie Sharp & The Cleancuts’ ‘We Are The Mods‘ single from 1980.

The other Rowdies were a purely studio band who’s vocalist was Alan Anger, a journalist who wrote the Live Wire fanzine in 1977 and also wrote for Zig Zag magazine. The others who played on ‘She’s No Angel’ / ‘Had Me A Real Good Time’ (Teenage Depression, 1979) were Honest John Plain (guitar), Jack Black (drums), both members of The Boys, along with Phil Spalding (bass) and Mark Harrison (piano) from the Bernie Torme Band.

This is more of a pub rock record though in the style of ‘Baby You’re Wrong’ by the Count Bishops. ‘She’s No Angel’ is not the Heavy Metal Kids song, but written by John Plain and was also recorded by The Boys, but never released, the B-side is a Faces cover. In 1980 this was re-issued on Beggars Banquet under the band name Cockney ‘n’ Westerns.