Race Against Time / Knife Edge / Lycanthropy / Necrophilia
State Executioner / Dead On Arrival / Generals / Freaks / Alcohol (?)
Charged G.B.H, a band significantly more inspired by Motorhead than by The Clash, came out of Birmingham, kicking and screaming in 1979. Uploaded today is the debut 12″ EP released on Clay Records in 1981 and apart from the last track ‘Alcohol’, all the tracks strangely enough still sound great! That last track ‘Alcohol’ never sounded great even in those soon to be UK82 days…
The photo below is a still from the video ‘Give Me Fire’ featured on the Tube music programme in 1982, the text below is a section from a letter written a few days ago from H.M. Prision Gartree by Gary Critchley. The much earlier photo above is courtesy of Sean McCarthy.
This post is dedicated to Gary Critchley A.K.A Crap, a man who knew Charged G.B.H. in the very early days of the band’s formation and who ventured to Campbell Buildings near Waterloo in the summer of 1980. The events that followed a matter of weeks after his arrival were rather tragic for all concerned.
More information on Gary Critchley is available on the post HERE.
Nic
December 21, 2009 at 9:28 amGood choice Penguin: it still sounds great after all this time (possibly thanks to the production Mike Stone delivered for the bands on his Clay label)…
Proper Birmingham business: ‘Dead on Arrival’ – magic!
I sometimes see the singer Colin out walking his two Poodles…
John No Last Name
December 21, 2009 at 12:49 pmDoes anyone know if this Mike Stone was the same guy that engineered a lot of the Queen and Sweet records? It’s hard not to think they were two different people, but I do I remember that being the rumor at the time. Obviously sonically it’s a very different sound/vibe. Anyone know the definitive answer on this?
Penguin • Post Author •
January 9, 2010 at 10:15 pmMichelle Says:
January 8th, 2010 at 6:40 pm edit
I’m Gary Critchleys sister, we all know Gary didnt do this and was stitched up by the police for it. His Trial was at the Old Bailey the same time as the Yorkshire ripper (Peter Sutcliffe). The way things are he will be released before Gary. If anyone wants to write to Gary the address is:
Gary Critchley B39969
H.C.C.H.M Prison
Gartree
Leicestershire
LE16-7RP
Comment taken from Campbell Buildings post
Penguin • Post Author •
January 21, 2010 at 9:39 amThe following statement below from Glyn Maddocks, the solicitor handling Gary’s case:
Gary welcomes and appreciates all contact from those who were living in Campbell Buildings in the early 1980’s or knew people who were there or who may have knowledge of the events that led to the murder of Edward McNeil.
Gary has served 28 years in prison for this crime for which he is innocent and needs anyone who can help to provide fresh evidence to clear his name to come forward. If requested any evidence provided will be treated confidentially. For practical reasons Gary cannot respond to each individual contact but thanks everyone who makes contact – any information however trivial or insignificant it may seem could perhaps be of vital importance.
Some of Gary’s writing has now been uploaded – some poems and excerpts from his letters……..
http://www.b39969.org.uk/index.html
jock b
April 13, 2010 at 2:54 amim so glad to see that some support is being raised all over the place finally, we`ll do our bit and help out as much as possible. our love and thoughts with our old friend gary. lets do this!