Sham 69 ... "Borstal Breakout" 1976.

Also known as "There's Gonna Be A Borstal Break-Out," this uptempo, rebellious song is pure punk. Co-written by band leader and front man Jimmy Pursey with guitarist Dave Parsons in 1976, it was their first single after being signed by Polydor. Sham 69 are an English punk rock band that formed in Hersham in Surrey in 1975. They were one of the most successful punk bands in the United Kingdom, achieving five top 20 singles, including "If the Kids Are United" and "Hurry Up Harry". The group's popularity saw them perform on the BBC’s Top of the Pops, and they appeared in the rockumentary film, D.O.A. The original unit broke up in 1979, with frontman Jimmy Pursey moving on to pursue a solo career. In 1987, Pursey and guitarist David Parsons reformed the band, joined by new personnel. Although subsequently going through a number of line-up changes, Sham 69 remained active and were still playing gigs as of 2022. Sham 69 did not have the art school background of many English punk bands of the time, and brought in football chant backup vocals and an implicit political populism. The band attracted a large skinhead following (left wing, right wing and non-political). Their concerts were plagued by violence, and the band ceased live performances after a 1979 concert at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park was broken up by National Front-supporting white power skinheads fighting and rushing the stage.

Added 8 Jun 2026