Cockney Rejects
English Oi! band that named the genre.
Formed in 1978 in Custom House, East London, the Cockney Rejects play Oi! and street punk. Their track "Oi, Oi, Oi" from 1980 gave the Oi! genre its name. Originally West Ham United supporters, the band honored the club with their cover of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," a West Ham anthem.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- The Rejects
- Origin
- East London, England
- Genre
- Punk rock, Oi!
- Years active
- 1978–1985, 1987–1991, 1999–present
- Label
- Cadiz Music
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Cockney Rejects came together in 1978 when brothers Mick and Jeff Geggus started the band in Custom House, East London. Vince Riordan joined them the next year. After only four shows, EMI signed them, and they quickly became a success with sold-out UK tours and a debut album that hit the top of the charts. Their rowdy behavior on Top of the Pops got them banned from the show, which only boosted their outlaw image. In 1980, they put out their well-known cover of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" to mark West Ham United's FA Cup final appearance. In January 2024, Micky Geggus, Vince Riordan, and Joe Sansome all left the band. Lead singer Jeff "Stinky" Turner then brought in a new lineup: Olga from Toy Dolls on guitar, JJ Kaos from Last Resort and Anti-Nowhere League on bass, and Ray Dust from The Business and Argy Bargy on drums. In August 2026, Turner released the sequel to his acclaimed autobiography, Cockney Reject. Titled Cockney Reject II - I Love Being Me, it was co-written with Vive Le Rock journalist Guy Shankland and published by Cadiz Music.
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