Menace - G.L.C. The Best of Menace (UK 1987)

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Menace are an English punk band formed in London in 1976. They are notable for being one of the immediate forerunners of the 'Oi' sound later adopted by skinhead bands.

Menace was a ‘second wave’1 punk band from Islington, London. The band was formed in 1976 after Morgan Webster (singer) met the members of a pub rock band, Stonehenge, Steve Tannett (guitar), Charlie Casey (Bass) and Noel McDonagh (Drums: known as Noel Martin) at a punk gig at the renowned pub venue The Hope and Anchor.

Menace’s forceful, simple yet musically competent and creative music is often described as having influenced, or even been the origin of, ‘Oi’ music, a subgenre of punk music associated with the skinhead culture. Traces of Menace’s influence can be found in the music of bands such as Sham 69 and The Cockney Rejects both of which became more popular and both of which were more closely associated with the skinhead movement. The band itself did not associate itself with either the mainstream punk movement or the skinhead movements; it attracted followers from both camps. 

As a result is often described as a ‘cross over’ punk/skinhead band blending the more critically aware and art-inclined punks and the more visceral working class protest strands of skinhead music.

In the 00's they reformed for the 2nd time with original vocalist Morgan Webster and guitarist Steve Tannett and a revolving door of drummers and bass players. They're reformation has proved very successful as they have had sell-out shows in Japan and in Europe as well as playing festivals around the world like the Rebellion Festival, Punk and Disorderly Festival, The Last Jubilee and Avenues and Alayways. They have had numerous lineup changes in the past ten years, but it seems that Tannett and Webster are the core members of the band

Menace formed in August 1976 when singer, Morgan Webster, met school friends Noel Martin, Charlie Casey and Steve Tannett at the Hope and Anchor pub in Islington. Their first gig at the now legendary Roxy was attended by Miles Copeland from Step Forward and Illegal Records who signed Menace straight away… The end finally came in late 1979 when after lack of interest from the record companies (due to their records being banned) and a lack of interest from the music press (possibly due to the working class ethics and the working class background of the boys in the band)… Menace’s last single Final Vinyl with the classic songs Last Years Youth and Carry No Banners, which lift the reputation of the band up another notch. After the split up the reputation of Menace continued to grow worldwide…

Following Menace the boys joined a feisty biker chick called Vermillion who was working with Steve at Step Forward Records.

The Ace’s, Noel Steve and Charlie sprang into existence during the encore of Vermillion and the Aces gig at the Lyceum Ballroom (If anyone knows the date let me know) when Steve launched into the Menace classic GLC. Needless to say we were sacked by Vermillion and the Aces were born.

One of the most eagerly awaited reformations of recent times has been that of Menace, one of the Godfathers of the Oi! movement and creators of the seminal punk classic “G.L.C”.

Oddy from Resistance 77 came in as vocalist and Uncle Albert was our friend Paul on guitar, who didn’t want his identity to be known. He came from the Stains, alongside Geordie who played with the Spitting Vicars.

I met Jonny at the 12-Bar Club, which figures a lot in the Menace story. I went to see the owner, Barnet, and a band called Bomb 45 were playing. Johnny was onstage doing a soundcheck, he said, ‘Hello Noel’. I vaguely remembered him but couldn’t recall where we’d met. I was very impressed by his playing

“I hear you’re looking for a new guitarist”. “You’ve got to see Finn, he’s great.” I didn’t know Finn, which is unusual, because Finn knows everyone – We had a chat that night and he seemed OK. We arranged a rehearsal. Charlie knew him from his days at Fresh Records days, because he had been in loads of bands; Headhunters, Bloodsport, Public Heirs, Junior Manson Slags, just loads of bands. Apparently we once played with him, as a member of Fuck All Else To Do, at the Royal Standard at an impromptu festival we did after a Punk Aid gig was cancelled.

Martin Sawtell on bass, with occasionally appearances from Charlie, Toby and Rob. Martin moves to New Zealand and Rob takes over.

Current members
◊ Noel Martin − drums (1976-present)
◊ Rob − bass (1976-present)
◊ Finn Panton − guitar and vocal (2009-present)

Former members
◊ Steve Tannett - guitar (1976-1979)
◊ Morgan Webster − vocals (1976-1979)
◊ Andrew Tweedie - guitar (1997-2002)
◊ John Lacey - vocals (1997-2002)
◊ Charlie Casey - Bass (1976-2012)

01.Screwed Up
02.Insane Society
03.G.L.C.
04.I'm Civilised
05.I Need Nothing
06.Electrocutioner
07.The Young Ones
08.Tomorrow's World
09.Live For Today
10.Last Years Youth
11.Carry No Banners

Bonus Tracks
12.Last Years Youth (Bonus Live 1978)
13.Screwed Up (Bonus Live 1978)
14.I Like Chips (Bonus Live 1978)
15.G.L.C. (Bonus Live 1978)
16.One Way Street(The Aces)
17.Why Should It Be Mine (The Aces)

1. Menace
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2. Menace
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3. Menase
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