The Cockney Rejects formed in East London in 1979, led by brothers Jeff and Mick Geggus. Coming straight out of the working-class neighborhood of East End, they were inspired by the raw energy of punk but added their own aggressive, football terrace–style chants. Their first records came out on EMI, with the 1980 debut Greatest Hits Vol. 1, followed quickly by Greatest Hits Vol. 2. Their loud, sing-along anthems such as “Oi! Oi! Oi!” made them one of the defining bands of the Oi! punk movement, even though the label “Oi!” was originally coined after a journalist described their music that way.The Rejects’ lyrics often reflected working-class life and their love of West Ham United F.C. This connection to football culture gave them a unique identity but also brought violence to many of their gigs, as rival football hooligans clashed at shows. Despite this, their music gained popularity across the UK and Europe, and they were seen as heroes of street-level punk. They stood apart from art-punk or politically heavy bands, preferring to sing about everyday struggles, loyalty, and pride in where they came from.As the 1980s progressed, the band experimented with a harder rock and heavy metal sound. Albums like The Wild Ones (1982) leaned more toward glam and hard rock than their early Oi! roots, but this stylistic shift alienated some of their punk audience. Still, the band refused to be boxed into one style, proving they could adapt and survive in a changing music scene. They continued to play live, earning a reputation for rowdy, unpredictable gigs that mirrored the chaos of the streets they came from.By the 1990s and 2000s, the Cockney Rejects had become respected as pioneers, with a loyal international fanbase. They toured widely, influencing later punk, hardcore, and even street rock bands. Their story is one of resilience—despite violence at shows, industry challenges, and lineup changes, Jeff Geggus kept the band alive. Today, they are recognized as both punk icons and cultural figures who captured the voice of London’s East End, leaving behind a legacy of defiant, working-class rock ’n’ roll.https://www.cockneyrejects.com/cockneyrejectshomepage

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