Sons Of Bad Breath – Wood Green Art Centre, London, N22 – 1985

Posted on August 23, 2008January 17, 2024 by Penguin

An excellent recording of Monty and his Sons Of Bad Breath thrashers giving it all the effort they could muster on the night.

Part of the infamous Hackney Hell Crew. Pretty rough bunch of heavy drinking and heavy speeding squatters that formed an axis of bands such as Blower, Eat Shit, God Told Me To Do It and of course Sons Of Bad Breath.

Amongst the Hell Crew were Monty, Ollie, Pus, Simo, Martin, Animal, Napoleon, Sean, Bully, Alien and Scruff from Gateshead.

Some of the Hell Crew did not survive passed the 1980’s, the ones that did hopefully are well enough.

I was very pleased to see Ollie in Bristol in the early 1990’s at a Gunshot (UK Hip Hop) performance (on a boat in the docks that is actually a club). Ollie was Nike trainer’d up and looking well, in some sport tracksuit clobber. Very much a change from when I had last saw him, while on one of my regular visits to 108 Brougham Road to see Andy Martin and Dave Fanning.

At that time in the mid 1980’s, a whole bunch of the Hell Crew were camped out at this house including both Pus and Simo, two that did not make it through to the next decade.

Thanks to Clint for sending this tape in, and thanks to Mike from Decadent Few for recording it for Clint in the first place.

196 comments

Penguin • Post Author •
September 3, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Hey Monti, your daughter Billie posted a comment on the page below way back in May. Scroll down towards the bottom of the comments.
Pretty clued up young lady if she is browsing this site! 😉

https://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=436#comments
Monti
September 4, 2008 at 3:58 am

D`you know the best thing (from my point of view) about the bit of re-interest in SoBB is that its come as Billie moves from her schoolmates into adult frendships (that make sense??) when asked about her parents she talks bout SoBB/Punk even bout C.UK + FUK (Gabba 1st seen Billie when she was 10mins old) rather than havin a baddy for a daddy. Its not nice livin on the back of somones bad reputation no sir, they should go get there own.
Jay Vee
September 4, 2008 at 10:59 am

Monti, talking of addictions wonder what happened to Carolyn B.?

She was in a relationship for a few months with a Chaos UK member, and also Pete Lyons from Antisect, she was from Northamptonshire, Gabba will remember her I’m sure…

She was a friend to me, hope she managed to free herself of the addictions of those times, last I saw of her she moved to London to rehabilitate her lifestyle…talk about hard life, she certainly had one.
Monti
September 4, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Carolyn, who did vocals for Antisect and had a shaved head with ponytail Ghengis Khan style??? Her surname was Wallis i think. Wait a minit i got vague memories of Mower C. UK. singer goin out with a diffrint Caroline/lyn, she def came from Northhants, yup it just came back to me its the 2nd girl. Sorry mate I never saw her after her and Mower split. Martin the SoBB gtrst is more in touch with who`s where in London, I`ll ask him
Justine
September 5, 2008 at 12:57 pm

“I knew I hadn`t pissed on your legs cos I`d never enter a confrontation with my cock out!”

Ha-ha Monti, made me laugh! I remember that big fight at the Ballroom – nasty nasty. My son turned 21 this week! Funny having grown up kids… See you round in Bristol sometime soon…
Monti
September 5, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Hi Justine, how are ya? Made me laugh too, never realised I`d written that, it`s` true tho. You`ll have to take my word for it but I would advise blokes if attacked while pissin, (happend to me once) 1st Get cock back inside trousers while avoidin punches( No need to do up zip/buttons) 2ndly…Fight back//Run away……..Jeezus your boys….a man now. At Dropkick Murphys gig this year me an Terry(East End Badoes) were laffin bout the fact we`re both 50 next year and our daughters were chattin at the bar, drinks in hand. Terry`s girl Liberty does some singin for the Murphys on their British gigs. Dunno bout you but theres no rush to enter Grandparenthood. Take Care
Thomp
September 6, 2008 at 12:39 am

I recall Carolyn Brynk she had a crucifix tatooed on her forehead, dunno if that helps, but it is fairly distinctive. Monti you make I smile, you must have 1001 reasons to smile and I like that. Just like a big old oak tree, lots of spirit and depth.
Monti
September 7, 2008 at 1:47 am

Yup, thats the girl Mower was seein, I remember the tattoo. The phrase “you make I smile” sounds like you come from Bristol/West Country am I right?? Glad I make you smile now I got 1002 reasons. Oak tree thing goes over the top of my head tho but it sounds ok
Thomp
September 7, 2008 at 10:02 pm

Nah, Northants, middle english disaster zone! I’ve always had a soft spot for the west country mind. Great music, Good cider, beautiful countryside, once you get past Nailsea!
Sussex
September 22, 2008 at 8:48 pm

Last I heard, Carolyn was living in Kettering. Nope, she hasn’t got past her vices. She spent some time in Holloway too, for numerous petty offences.I heard this a couple of years ago, but I doubt little has changed.
Jay Vee
September 23, 2008 at 9:43 am

Okay last I heard Carolyn got married while living in Kettering, that much I do know cos I went to the wedding, but she moved to London shortly afterwards, that was at least 10 years ago!!…her and new hubby moved to London to rehabiltate, through the hospitality of a wealthy friend that was gonna make sure they quit their vices for good…that’s where we lost contact.

Back to Monti – I bought a copy of Negative Reaction at Durham Punk Festival recently 13/09/08 (which included a brilliant set from Angelic Upstarts, and 10 mins worth of good quality vid can be seen on Youtube of that…) and read your interview, interesting and I see what you mean about approving of what you were saying in there Monti – nice one 🙂
Monti
September 25, 2008 at 2:20 am

I`ve seen the Upstarts a few times in the last 3-4yrs (non-Mensi) and I thought they were back on top form. Bet that festival was good, SoBB played the Station 3 times and we always had a great time up there, good people
scoobie
October 4, 2008 at 4:47 pm

What happen to the hair monti?, the music is different you have come a long way since Gutersloh. Gives a ring sometime.

Scoobie
Monti
October 6, 2008 at 6:56 pm

Hey Scoobie!! Yup theres certainly been a lot happenin since our Army days as for the hair I got fed up with it and returned to havin a skinhead again (It highlights my thuggish good looks ha ha)
Val n Martin
October 10, 2008 at 11:44 pm

Hi
We used to live at Colvester Cres Dalston in a squat with Martin Brain Damage. Fraggel n Age and some others. Sadly we know Age passed away years ago but just wanted to know if you know what happend to the others. Also what happend to Alien last time we saw him was about 18 years ago. We remember the 3 crowns, that big squat at an old hospital or something, gigs at the peace centre.
We moved back to Sheffield in 87 to have our first child. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers those days.
Val n Martin (yes still together after all these years)
luggy
October 11, 2008 at 12:15 am

I walked down Colvestone Crescent this afternoon, not a crusty to be seen though.
Alien manages Turnpike Lane tube station these days! Still drums every now & again with his band, Mush. The next gig that they’re doing is at Bardens Boudoir on Stoke Newington High Road on Friday November 7th supporting Tofu Love Frogs.
Val n Martin
October 12, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Hi Luggy

Do you remember Fraggel who went out with Age and they had baby Oden who will now be 21 or 22 . Do you know what happend to her i know she went to live in Bristol but not heard from her for years. Does anyone know what happend to Martin Brain Damage he was smallish with long black hair and into hell metal. We also lived with crusty Gavin saw him years ago he was living in Derby but think he got run out of town by the local sherif or something. Jay also lived with us last thing we heard he was living under a mountain some where. Please get in touch if you know anything about any of these old crustys or anyone i may have forgotten in me old age. We have three kids now our son is 20 you can find his latest film on you tube we also have two girls 17,nearly 14.
Val n Martin
baron von zubb
October 13, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Excellent thread. Reminds me of the big thread, Still the biggest…
the H band thread, in which we were tagged the first crusty band by some wise man

Still old mates meeting up, old fights almost re-erupting. Then falling into bed together all over again.
Fab.
You even managed to get Pengiun to calm it down.
Top marks.
Don’t know any of ya, different time n place but u might find it entertaining to have a read of the ‘joys of work’ thread, when you gotta minute.
Bit of a book about the punk n squatting ‘ting same same but different.

https://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=822

And one of your number is the manager of Turnpike Lane tube. I gotta tell me nieces it’s there local.
Excellent.
Njoy BVZ
Penguin • Post Author •
October 21, 2008 at 11:48 am

Baron, is this the thread?
baron von zubb
October 21, 2008 at 6:27 pm

Yeah cheers.
Clinton
October 23, 2008 at 3:31 am

G’day,
I’m Clint who posted the SoBB tape to Penguin and have been assisting the Dutch guy, Edwin, in his project for the Hackney punks 2x LP.
It is a slow process collecting all the related photo’s, printed matter and tunes for this massive release and we’d still love to hear from people who might feel like contributing to this release. Anything, fliers, interviews, photographs(live or otherwise-hanging out, causing trouble etc), live/ rehearsal tapes, clippings. Whatever you might have in the musty loft, otherwise taking up space and collecting dust. All things can and will be returned after use.
In particular, I am still hoping to locate the Eat Shit interview from Deek/Oi Polloi’s ‘zine, Skinhead times(I think that is what the ‘zine was called) as well as any tapes by the following bands;
Poison
Eat Shit
Sons of Bad Breath
The Old Codgers
Goatsbreath and the Camel Cocks
Grinder
Blower
Thanks for reading, I hope to hear from some of you. Contact me on;

shortfuserecords@hotmail.com

I’m also hoping to locate tapes by the following bands if anyone can help;
Skum Dribblurrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzz(live or rehearsal)

Mass Murder demo(pre-Mulch I believe)
Mulch demo
REST IN PAIN tape(s)
Sons of Vengeance
Zogger-anything
Real Molesworth Dirt (aren’t these guys now in Certified?)
Heresy(early era especially)
Antisect demos, early live, rehearsal, pre-Antisect bands(names escape me now)
Warwound-maybe photo’s/fliers for upcoming LP
Asylum demos(originals if possible, for upcoming LP) plus fliers/photo’s
More Skum Dribblurrrrrzzzzzzzzzz
Violent Uprising live tapes
as well as any
Wretched(Italy) live tapes(I have a Nott’s tape) or photo’s

Kind Regards
Clinton
Monti
October 25, 2008 at 8:26 am

Oi! Gally, didya get that e-mail i sent ya donkeys ago?? yeah? then send me one back then, i want to know more about wot ya bin doin ya big northern git…..About Fraggle, the last time i spoke to her was when Age died and she asked me to go tell the mother of Ages daughter wot had happened…ive seen her around a lot of times since so i`ll ask around, see if she still in Bristol
johng
October 25, 2008 at 5:33 pm

Oi Monti, peg-osted you an email earlier today.
Baron vz – read some of your ‘joys of work’ but not all of it yet,enjoyed what I have read so far tho………..
baron von zubb
October 25, 2008 at 7:17 pm

cheers mate
Val n Martin
October 25, 2008 at 7:34 pm

Hiya Monti
Thanx for that any thing you can do to find where she is would be great. She wrote to me a few times when we first moved back to Sheffielld but then we lost touch her son Oden must be about 21 or 22 now as our eldest is 21 . The last time we saw Martin Brain damage was in around 1990 we also saw Alien . Would love to know if Brain damage is ok . So again any one out there who knows him please drop a lines cheers.
Trev
November 6, 2008 at 11:43 pm

Hi Monti,
What was the place called in Hackney? Wanna call it the Blue House but i’m sure my memory fails me. Think we played a few gigs together, Kardboard Box, Ballet School? Do you remember Gutrot?

Anyway glad your well and look forward to the new I.Glasper book

Take Care
Trev ExAxegrinder
alistairliv
November 7, 2008 at 1:28 am

The Blue House was Sutton House. It was built in 1535 and bought by the the National Trust in 1930. The ASTMS trades union were tenants between 1960s and early 1980s. After they left it was squatted. After the squatters were evicted the building’s condition continued to decline. An active local campaign was mounted by the Sutton House Society, originally known as the Save Sutton House Campaign which was formed in March 1987. This provoked the National Trust into restoring the building.

See these links for more info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_House

http://www.suttonhousesociety.org.uk/

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-suttonhouse
Penguin • Post Author •
November 7, 2008 at 1:30 am

That would be a ‘yes’ Trev! It was the Blue House down Homerton way.
Phil R
November 7, 2008 at 8:37 am

the majority of the Blue Hse squatters then went on to squat Laura Place in Clapton which was owned by the sally army and was at least twice as big as the Blue hse. This place became a spring board for a lot of urbanites to become travellers. Both were classic squats, with a lot of fun to be had!
Monti
November 7, 2008 at 6:34 pm

To Trev, i`d have called it the Blue House, yeh course I remember Gutrot, i`ve met Tim Knight at last 2 rebellion festivals and recently in Bristol..I remember the Kardboard Box gig..mental times eh? Good times tho, always good to hear that the good (as in decent people) from them days are ok….my 18yr old daughters goin mad waitin for the book to come out. Haha become part of history by gettin pissed and makin a fuckin racket…how good is that??….to Penguin: alright mate things all good??…..to Alaisterliv..if you dont mind me askin.. why’s a man with such a knowledge/interest of old buildins lookin at a page-link about a band of numbskulls??? All the best to ya…numbskull no. 1
Penguin • Post Author •
November 7, 2008 at 10:09 pm

All good over here Monti, thank you for asking…
chas
November 8, 2008 at 3:02 pm

I went out with a girl called Karen (from Yeovil) who lived there in 1985, her mate Christine (?) was one of the original inhabitants and named it the blue house after her favourite club in Hamburg where she was from – or so they told me. I went back a couple of years ago and the NT had kept one of the rooms as it was when it was the blue house – nice idea I thought.It was a great place – I remember one sunday when I was there these guys turned up saying they were from the council and needed to remove asbestos. Turned out they were nicking the linenfold panelling which only exists in one other building in England – we were too hungover to question how asbestos would have been put in a tudor panelled room – it got recovered and replaced though eventually. When we played there we were paid in cans of tenants super – dangerous!
luggy
November 8, 2008 at 5:25 pm

How did your gig go, Chas? Saw Dave afterwards at Bardens.
The Bluehouse has been discussed before on this site:

https://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=734

Don’t know if you know but Christine is no longer with us. R.I.P.
[EDIT: Thankfully this was just a dodgy rumour & she’s very much alive]
I still see Karen quite often, there’s a drawing by Wilf of her used by Penguin as the default picture on his ‘All The Madmen’ site:

http://www.myspace.com/allthemadmenrecords