Angelic Upstarts - I'm An Upstart

Original Release Date

1979

Release Information

UK 7" 1979 (Warner Bros - K 17354)
UK 12" 1979 (Warner Bros - K 17354T)

1 I'm An Upstart 2:21
2 Leave Me Alone 2:14

Chart Placings

UK Chart Hit: 31, 8 wks

Credits

Produced by Jimmy Pursey

Additional Credits

Mensi - vocals
Mond - guitar
Steve Forsten - bass
Sticks Warrington - drums

Reviews & Opinions

CLIFF WHITE, SMASH HITS 19TH APRIL 19 - 2ND MAY, 1979: There aren't many rockers this time around so I'd better start with the only really exciting one. Produced by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey, it's a classically punk '76-stye headbanger in much the same vein as Sham. In fact a young punkette friend of mine thought it was Sham 69 until she found out that the Upstarts are a quartet of hot-heads from Jarrow. Their general message seems to be, "Up Yours!" Tch tch, these youths have no couth.

PUNK 77: To have one great single is good but to have two in a row is some going. Impassioned, screaming vocals with catchy call and reply chorus all built over a raucous punk heavy metal riff. Pursey's production on this is excellent. The song had come some way from its original form on their first John Peel session. Another great B-side as well.

PUNKY GIBBON: One of the greatest punk singles ever, this features scorching guitar riffs (both lead and rhythm) and brilliantly belligerent and bellicose vocals from Mensi. "I'm An Upstart, Oi! Whatcha Gonna do? I'm an upstart! Listen! I'm gonna get you". Jimmy Pursey's production, too, is outstanding.

Additional Notes

Both tracks wound up on the Teenage Warning LP.

Images

UK 7" 1979 (Warner Bros - K 17354). Black or green vinyl. Click here for more

UK 12" 1979 (Warner Bros - K 17354T). Click here for more