Cockney Rejects

{{short description|English punk rock band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Use British English|date=July 2016}} {{More citations needed|date=August 2011}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Cockney Rejects | image = | caption = | image_size = 300px | alias = The Rejects | origin = East End of London, England | genre = {{hlist|Punk rock|Oi!}} | years_active = 1978–1985, 1987–1991, 1999–present | label = Cadiz Music | website = {{url|cockneyrejects.com}} | current_members = Jeff Geggus aka Jeff 'Stinky' Turner Michael Algar aka Olga JJ Pearce aka JJ Kaos Ray Bussey aka Ray Dust | past_members = Mick Geggus Vince Riordan Paul Harvey Chris Murrell Andy Scott Nigel Woolf Ian Campbell Keith Warrington Nobby Cobb Tony Van Frater Andrew Laing Joe Perry Sansome }}

'''Cockney Rejects''' are an English punk rock band that formed in the East End of London in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cockneyrejects.com/|title=Cockney Rejects|website=Cockney-rejects.com|accessdate=15 October 2019}}</ref> Their 1980 song "Oi, Oi, Oi" was the inspiration for the name of the Oi! music genre.<ref name="Bushell">{{cite web|title=Oi! – The Truth |author=Bushell, Garry|author-link=Garry Bushell|url=http://www.garry-bushell.co.uk/oi/index.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731120915/http://www.garry-bushell.co.uk/oi/index.asp|archive-date=2008-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Neal|first=Martin|date=2019-07-16|title=Punk legend's tribute to much-missed former bandmate who died suddenly|url=https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/music-nightlife/punk-legends-tribute-much-missed-3095665|access-date=2020-06-21|website=Essexlive.news}}</ref> The band members are supporters of West Ham United, and pay tribute to the club with their hit cover version of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", a song traditionally sung by West Ham supporters.<ref>{{Cite web|title='I'm forever blowing bubbles' - The story behind famous West Ham chant|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/im-forever-blowing-bubbles-the-story-behind-famous-west-ham/v2c0pje1uewx170vlhczghgxx|access-date=2020-06-21|website=Goal.com}}</ref>

==Career== Formed in East London in the late 1970s, the Cockney Rejects rejected the art-school punk scene, delivering a fiercely working-class sound. Their lyrics reflected the realities of inner-city life—police harassment, street battles, and football—striking a chord with the youth of the time.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Signed by EMI after just four gigs, the Cockney Rejects quickly rose to fame with sell-out UK tours and a chart-topping debut album. Their wild antics on ''Top of the Pops'' earned them a ban from the show, adding to their rebellious reputation. In 1980, they recorded the iconic "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" to celebrate West Ham United's FA Cup final appearance.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|pages=102/3}}</ref>

In the 1990s, the Rejects gained new fans as bands such as Rancid and Green Day cited them as inspirations.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} Returning to the stage in 2000, they have since performed to audiences worldwide, known for their high-energy live shows.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

In January 2024, the band evolved, with lead singer Jeff "Stinky" Turner now fronting a revitalized line up featuring Olga (Toy Dolls) on guitar, JJ Kaos (Last Resort, Anti-Nowhere League) on bass, and Ray Dust (The Business, Argy Bargy) on drums. This "punk rock supergroup" is bringing the Cockney Rejects’ legacy to fans across the globe.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} In January 2026, Jeff Turner started writing the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 'Cockney Reject' book with Vive Le Rock Journalist Guy Shankland. The book will be released in August 2026 Via Cadiz Music.

==Members== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Current members * Jeff Geggus ("Stinky" Turner) – vocals (1978–present) * Michael Algar (Olga) – guitar (2024-present) * JJ Pearce – bass (2024-present) * Ray Bussey – drums (2024-present)

{{col-2}} ;Former members * Mick Geggus – guitar (1978–2024) * Vince Riordan – bass (1979–1983, 1987–1991, 2015–2024) * Chris Murrell – bass (1978–1979) * Paul Harvey – drums (1978–1979) * Andy Scott – drums (1979–1980) * Nigel Woof – drums (1980) * Keith Warrington – drums (1980–1985, 1987–1991) * Ian Campbell – bass (1983–1985) * Tony Van Frater – bass (1999–2015; died 2015) * Andrew Laing – drums (1999–2000, 2007–2017; died 2023) * Les Cobb – drums (2000–2007) * Joe Perry Sansome – drums (2017–2024) {{col-end}}

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:110 bottom:60 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1978 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1978 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1978

LineData =

at:07/03/1980 color:black layer:back at:30/09/1980 color:black layer:back at:01/07/1981 color:black layer:back at:10/11/1982 color:black layer:back at:25/08/1984 color:black layer:back at:12/04/1990 color:black layer:back at:04/06/2002 color:black layer:back at:21/10/2007 color:black layer:back at:16/10/2012 color:black layer:back at:30/09/2022 color:black layer:back

Colors = id:Vocal value:red legend:Lead_Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Lines value:black legend:Studio_Album BarData = bar:Jeff text:"Jeff Geggus" bar:Mick text:"Mick Geggus" bar:Olga text:"Michael 'Olga' Algar"

bar:Chris text:"Chris Murrell" bar:Vince text:"Vince Riordan" bar:Ian text:"Ian Campbell" bar:Tony text:"Tony Van Frater" bar:JJ text:"JJ Pearce"

bar:Paul text:"Paul Harvey" bar:Andy text:"Andy Scott" bar:Nigel text:"Nigel Woolf" bar:Keith text:"Keith Warrington"

bar:Andrew text:"Andrew Laing" bar:Les text:"Les Cobb" bar:Joe text:"Joe Perry Sansome"

bar:Ray text:"Ray Bussey"

PlotData= width:11 bar:Jeff from:start till:01/11/1985 color:Vocal bar:Jeff from:01/05/1987 till:01/05/1991 color:Vocal bar:Jeff from:01/02/1999 till:end color:Vocal bar:Mick from:start till:01/11/1985 color:Guitar bar:Mick from:01/05/1987 till:01/05/1991 color:Guitar bar:Mick from:01/02/1999 till:06/03/2024 color:Guitar bar:Olga from:06/03/2024 till:end color:Guitar bar:Chris from:start till:01/03/1979 color:Bass bar:Vince from:01/03/1979 till:01/10/1983 color:Bass bar:Vince from:01/05/1987 till:01/05/1991 color:Bass bar:Ian from:01/10/1983 till:01/11/1985 color:Bass bar:Tony from:01/02/1999 till:29/10/2015 color:Bass bar:Vince from:30/10/2015 till:06/03/2024 color:Bass bar:JJ from:06/03/2024 till:end color:Bass bar:Paul from:start till:01/03/1979 color:Drums bar:Andy from:01/03/1979 till:20/05/1980 color:Drums bar:Nigel from:20/05/1980 till:30/11/1980 color:Drums bar:Keith from:01/12/1980 till:01/11/1985 color:Drums bar:Keith from:01/05/1987 till:01/05/1991 color:Drums bar:Andrew from:01/02/1999 till:01/10/2000 color:Drums bar:Andrew from:01/02/2007 till:01/02/2017 color:Drums bar:Les from:01/10/2000 till:01/02/2007 color:Drums bar:Joe from:01/02/2017 till:06/03/2024 color:Drums bar:Ray from:06/03/2024 till:end color:Drums }}

==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'' (CD - G&R Records, 2007 / Vinyl LP - Cadiz Music, 2024) * ''East End Babylon'' (CD, LP - Cadiz Music, 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cockney Rejects - discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos|url=https://www.spirit-of-rock.com/en/band/Cockney_Rejects|access-date=2020-06-21|website=Spirit-of-rock.com}}</ref> * ''Power Grab'' (CD, LP, Boxset - 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 in 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) (AKA 1982) * "Back to the Start" (7-inch) (Heavy Metal Records, 1984)<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |year=2006 |isbn=1-904994-10-5 |edition=19th |location=London |page=112}}</ref> * "It's Gonna Kick Off!" (7-inch, EP) (Cadiz Music, 2016) * "Goodbye Upton Park" b/w "Bubbles" (7-inch) (Cadiz Music, 2016){{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} * "Bubbles" b/w "The Rocker" (7-inch Picture Disc) (Cadiz Music, 2019) * "Chapecoense" b/w "Boss Of Bosses" (7-inch) (Cadiz Music, 2019)

===Compilation and live albums=== * ''Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (Live & Loud)'' (1981) * ''Unheard Rejects'' (1985 - collection of demo tracks recorded between 1979 and 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) * ''Join the Rejects, the Zonophone years '79-'81'' (EMI, ) * ''Hammer - The Classic Rock Years'' (4CD Box - Cadiz Music 2013)

===Appearances=== * ''Oi! The Album'' (1980) * ''Total Noise'' (7-inch EP - 1983 - as ''Dead Generation'') * ''Lords Of Oi!'' (Dressed to Kill, 1997)

====DVDs==== * ''East End To The West End - Live At The Mean Fiddler 2007'' - DVD & CD * ''East End Babylon - The Story Of The Cockney Rejects'' - DVD

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Cockney Rejects}} *[http://www.cockneyrejects.com Cockney Rejects Official website] * {{discogs artist|Cockney Rejects}} * {{imdb name|2473166}}

Category:Street punk groups Category:Musical groups established in 1979 Category:Oi! groups Category:English punk rock groups Category:EMI Records artists Category:Punk rock groups from London Category:Association football fandom