Rarely in the long history of British rock'n'roll has there been a story of such depth, magnitude and sheer turbulence as that of the Cockney Rejects. Formed in the late Seventies in East London as an answer to art school punk, the band brought a fiercely working-class stance to rock music, singing about the real circumstances surrounding street kids in Britain's inner cities—police harassment, street battles, and football.

After being signed by EMI and playing just four local gigs (fewer than the Sex Pistols), the Cockney Rejects found themselves on sell-out tours across the UK with their debut album storming the charts. Their legendary Top of the Pops appearances saw them run amok in the White City studios until they were finally banned from the show for their boisterous behavior.

While their first phase ended amid legal troubles stemming from rival supporters' violence, the band was rediscovered by American acts like Rancid and Green Day, who cherished their terrace punk singalong anthems. Returning to the live circuit in 2000, the Cockney Rejects have gone from strength to strength, bringing their energetic, party-like performances to hundreds of thousands across the globe. Their white-hot live set continues to inspire generations with timeless classics.

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