Formed: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
Band Bio / Lineups / Discography
Taking their name from a Sham 69 song, Red London wore their political convictions on their sleeves, espousing unequivocally leftist views when many skinhead bands at the time were either ignoring politics in favour of football violence, or straying into patriotic and/or far right imagery. I never quite understood why a band from Sunderland would have the noun "London" in its name, but there it is anyway. Like the Redskins and Angelic Upstarts, they were socialists, but Red London didn't peddle their politics quite as hard as their peers, although they were often seen playing at miners' benefits.
They are forever associated with Red Alert for reasons outlined below, but pursued their own rockier, more melodic and, dare I say, somewhat boring sound. Sten Guns In Sunderland E.P. is resolutely mid-paced with some "tasteful" guitar licks and surprisingly characterless, bland vocals. This Is England is more of the same.
Bassist Gaz Stoker was a former member of Sunderland's first punk band, The Rebels, and it was his brother, Kid, who formed Red London in December 1981 after he left Red Alert. To add to the incestuousness, Red London's vocalist Patrick "Patty" Smith was the brother of Red Alert's singer Steve "Cast Iron" Smith. Original drummer Raish Carter left in 1984 when he was detained at Her Majesty's request after being convicted of assault and battery; he was eventually replaced by yet another former Red Alert alumni, Matty Forster.
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Band Members 1981-1986:
Patrick "Patty" Smith - vocals (1981-1986)
Kid Stoker (ex-Red Alert) - guitar
Gaz Stoker (ex-The Rebels/Red Alert) - bass
Raish Carter - first drummer (1981-1984), lead vocals (1986)
Max Muir - second drummer (1984)
Matty Forster (ex-Red Alert) - third drummer (1985-1986)
The band did not split up here, but carried on with various lineups, including "Cast Iron" in the late '90s.
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DISCOGRAPHY
Subsequent studio albums: Outlaws (1989), Tumbling Dice (1990), Last Orders Please (1994), Days Like These (1997), Once Upon A Generation (1999), The Soundtrack Of Our Lives (2002), Symphony For The Skins (2020).
Singles & Albums
Sten Guns In Sunderland E.P. (7", 1983)
This Is England (LP, 1984)
Extraneous Releases
Streetlife - The Best Of Red London (CD, 2000)
Various Artists
Razor Sharp Cuts UK LP 1984 (Razor): Soul Train / This Is England (Part 2)
Rock Army Fraction France LP 1986 (Bondage/Alerte Rouge): Rebel Song / Calling Out The Cavalry / It's Never Too Late
Punk - Past, Present And Future ... The Released Emotions Compilation (1988-1993) UK CD 1993 (Released Emotions): This Is England
The Bright Side Of Oi! - Oi Classics Vol. I Germany LP 1994 (Street Kid's): Revolution Times
Razor Records Punk Collection UK CD 1994 (Anagram): This Is England
Oi! The Rarities Vol. 4 UK CD 1996 (Captain Oi!): This Is England / Soul Train / Revolution Times
Burning Britain - A Story Of Independent UK Punk 1980-1983 UK 4xCD 2018 (Cherry Red): Revolution Times
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