In the streets of Birmingham, four blokes came together in 1979 during the punk explosion in England to form one of the most influential bands in the scene's movement. Originally started for "fun and merely something to do," it became their way of expressing rebellious individuality, unwavering nonconformity, and disgust towards the system around them. Now after an almost thirty-year run, the band in which they were satisfied in just playing their local pub, has taken them around the world numerous times and produced nine studio albums along with countless other releases.

G.B.H. is one of the pioneer bands of the hardcore street punk movement and is coming to Jacksonville this July. Begun in those early days by the core trio of Colin "Col" Abrahall on vocals, Ross Lomas on bass, and Colin "Jock" Blyth on guitar, G.B.H. percussion is now pounded out by their fourth drummer since inception, Scott Preece, a former member of Bomb Disneyland.

Col professed that people who have gravitated to the punk and hardcore scenes over the past three decades have found their ways by different means. In an interview with underground critic Mark Prindle, he explained how as much as people's ideals vary, the root beliefs of the movement still remain the same.

"My definiton of punk would not be the same as anyone else's 'cos in my opinion it's different for everyone," he said. "But sure, there would be points on which everyone agreed. I think it's a mixture of political and social issues as well as love for good, honest music."

In the fledgling days of punk's evolution in England, G.B.H. stood out from most other bands with a blistering, unrelenting sound. Like many of the bands of the day, such as the Exploited, Broken Bones, and Discharge, they were focused on sociopolitical commentary, but they did it faster, heavier, and harder, as shown on their two groundbreaking, hardcore-defining releases: "City Baby Attacked by Rats" and "City Baby's Revenge."

"Lyrically, I try to paint a picture of what's going on in my head in a way that another person can understand," said Col. "I also like double meanings, and if I can get some cheesy rhymes in too, all the better."

Col said his inspiration didn't come from traditional sources, classical training, nor popular music, but moreover what was going on in the streets, in the pubs, outside people's doors and windows, and in London in general.

"I didn't have much interest in any kind of music before punk," he said. "But as soon as I heard the early stuff on the radio by the Sex Pistols and the Ramones, I was hooked and had to find out as much as I could about it."

G.B.H. kicks off their U.S. tour in Florida with Austin's Krum Bums in tow. Their fourth show of the tour hits the Fuel Coffeehouse on July 25th in Jacksonville. Following the blitz across America, the lads from Birmingham join the Warped Tour in August. Guitarist "Jock" Blyth summarized punk and why it still remains a crucial part of his life.

"(It's) a way to escape every day boring life, doing and following something that excites me and gives me something to wake up for."

G.B.H. and KRUM BUMS
Friday, July 25
Fuel Coffeehouse, 1037 Park Street, Jacksonville
8pm
425-FUEL