Though formed in 1978, around the same time as other renowned U.K. punk greats like the Sex Pistols, The Damned, and the Buzzcocks, Birmingham, England’s GBH (initially known as Charged GBH) would find fame and become more associated with the UK82 hardcore and street punk movement of the early ’80s, fusing faster, harder heavy metal elements into that more straightforward early punk sound of the ’70s. Beginning with now-classic 1982 debut album City Baby Attacked by Rats, GBH’s heavier, faster sound and lyrical exploration of nihilism, violence, morbidity, and critique of the government and British culture would earn them a passionate following in the U.K. and beyond, as well as critical acclaim and unexpected commercial success, landing numerous albums and singles on the U.K. charts. GBH has largely kept their lineup intact across nearly 50 years and a dozen albums, helmed by singer Colin Abrahall and Colin “Jock” Blyth from the beginning, joined by bassist Ross Lomas (who’s appeared on every album) since 1980, and featuring fourth drummer Scott Preece since 1994.
Citied as an influence by thrash metal legends like Metallica and Slayer, as well as by later street punk revivalists like Rancid, GBH are, perhaps, somewhat underrated in their place and immense influence on punk history, and have remained an enduring fixture in the scene, continuing to make new music and tour well after many of their peers faded away, largely staying true to their street punk roots and sound over the decades. While most active in the ’80s and ’90s, GBH have continued to make music well into the new millennium, releasing a couple of albums in the 2000s as well as 2010s, the most recent of which, Momentum, arrived in 2017. Still a ferocious- and legendary- live force, GBH still tour quite regularly, but, in their travels, don’t seem to make it to Music City often (best we can tell, their list Nashville performance was a full decade ago). That’ll about to change though, when the hardcore punk trailblazers return tonight, Nov. 12, to headline Exit/In with LA punks Slaughterhouse and The Mainliners. For any fan of punk history, this show is an absolute must-see, and tickets are still available right here!
GBH, Slaughterhouse, and The Mainliners will perform Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Exit/In. The show is 18+ begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available for $36.90.