THE JERKS

‘Jerk Off’

15 track • LP Only • Overground Records

Catalogue No: OVER 149LP• Bar Code: 689492172411

Release Date: 5th Feb 2016

The definitive 15 track compilation of The Jerks studio recordings. Includes tracks from each of their three singles and nine previously unreleased gems including a cover version of California Sun. Packaged in a deluxe cover with rare photos and a 12” x 12” card insert with a detailed history written by the band and limited to just 500 copies.

Having witnessed the 1976 ‘Anarchy In The UK’ tour, five teenagers from West Yorkshire met in an a dilapidated garage and plugged in to create their own blend of noise, attitude and disturbance. This garage produced Yorkshire’s most successful punk rock band who outsold Abba in that part of the world and entered the top 100 with their debut single ‘Get Your Woofing Dog Off Me’, (definitely one of punk’s best debut records, released on their own Underground Records). To this day it remains one of the fastest records ever recorded.

Now selling for considerable sums of money, the tracks have been included on many of the legitimate and bootleg compilations from the era, the front cover of the single being used for one of the early volumes of Killed By Death. The success of the single ensured gigs were plentiful and tours followed with Sham 69, Penetration, Generation X, The Adverts and XTC.

Their increasing profile bought them to the attention of Lightning Records who promptly signed them while the major labels deliberated, this deal saw the release of their second single ‘Cool’ in 1978, produced by ex-Rolling Stones producers Bill Farley and Dave Hunt.

Lightning developed into Laser under the wing of Warner Brothers. The band relocated to London and recorded their third and final single ‘Come Back Bogart’ in January 1980. Despite good reviews and Radio 1 play the single failed to sell, so in the Spring of 1980 the band decided to call it a day.

The Jerks exemplified British punk rock: raw, urgent, fast and provocative. A strong visual image and no shortage of potential hit songs. With more vigorous marketing and a larger slice of luck, the ending could have been a lot different.

 Track Listing

Back To Berlin/California Sun/Hold My Hand/You're Not Worth It (Jerk Off)/Dole Queue Boys/We Hate You/Get Your Woofing Dog Off Me/More More More/Join The Navy/Cool/Cruisin' (Again)/Safety Zone/The Beating Of Hearts/Come Back Bogart/Are You Strong Enough?