Description
Peter And The Test Tube Babies – Pissed And Proud – Blue Vinyl Record
Peter and the Test Tube Babies’ Pissed and Proud (1982) is a classic live album from the British punk band, capturing their raw energy and irreverent sense of humor. Recorded during live performances at various venues, the album showcases the band’s rowdy, unpolished style, along with their knack for catchy, anthemic punk rock. Known for their mix of Oi! and punk rock sensibilities, Peter and the Test Tube Babies became a significant part of the UK punk scene in the early 1980s, blending biting social commentary with a sarcastic, often crass sense of humor.
Pissed and Proud is a snapshot of the band’s early live performances, capturing the essence of their attitude-filled, rebellious sound. The album’s title is a reflection of the band’s carefree, anti-establishment attitude, and it remains a cult favorite among fans of early British punk.
The album blends the anthemic, streetwise sound of Oi! punk with the raw aggression of traditional punk rock. The music is simple, direct, and driven by fast guitar riffs and pounding drums. The stripped-down production of the live recording adds to the rough, unpolished sound that defines the band’s early work.
Pissed and Proud captures the band in their element—live, unfiltered, and full of raw energy. The sound is chaotic and loud, with crowd noise and banter between songs, giving the listener a sense of being in the middle of a sweaty, rowdy punk show. Despite the raw sound, many of the songs have a catchy, sing-along quality. The band’s mix of humor, social commentary, and punk rebellion comes through in their anthemic choruses and driving rhythms, making it clear why they were such a popular live act in the early UK punk scene.
Key Tracks
“Moped Lads”: One of the band’s most well-known songs, “Moped Lads” is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek anthem about a gang of young, rebellious moped riders. The song’s fast pace and catchy chorus make it a standout on the album, and its irreverent lyrics reflect the band’s playful, anti-authority attitude.
“Banned from the Pubs”: This track became an anthem for the band, capturing the rebellious spirit of punk rock. It’s a fast, aggressive song about getting kicked out of pubs, with a sing-along chorus that embodies the band’s carefree attitude toward authority and societal norms.
“Run Like Hell”: A short, punchy song with a driving beat and aggressive energy, “Run Like Hell” reflects the fast-paced, no-nonsense style that defines much of Pissed and Proud. The song’s simple, repetitive structure and raw energy make it one of the album’s high points.
“Up Yer Bum”: Another track filled with the band’s characteristic irreverence, “Up Yer Bum” is a loud, in-your-face anthem of defiance. The song is a fan favorite, known for its rebellious lyrics and raucous energy, making it a staple of their live performances.
“Shit Stirrer”: This track showcases the band’s more aggressive side, with its faster tempo and chaotic sound. The lyrics reflect a sense of frustration and anger, themes that were common in early 80s punk, but the band delivers them with their signature sense of humor and sarcasm.
Many of the songs on Pissed and Proud deal with themes of rebellion against authority, whether it’s getting banned from pubs, run-ins with the police, or simply rejecting societal norms. The band’s lyrics are often playful and sarcastic, but they tap into the frustration and anger of youth during the punk era.
A key aspect of Peter and the Test Tube Babies’ appeal is their irreverent sense of humor. Songs like “Moped Lads” and “Up Yer Bum” are filled with juvenile humor, poking fun at authority figures and societal expectations, while also mocking punk stereotypes. Beneath the humor, there is a sense of youthful anger and alienation in many of the songs. Tracks like “Run Like Hell” and “Maniac” reflect the feelings of frustration and aimlessness that were common in the early punk scene, but the band delivers these themes with a self-aware, almost absurdist twist.
The guitar work on Pissed and Proud is simple but effective, with fast, chugging riffs that drive the songs forward. The drums are equally straightforward, providing a steady, pounding beat that keeps the energy high throughout the album. The simplicity of the instrumentation matches the band’s punk ethos of keeping things raw and unrefined.
Peter Bywaters’ vocal performance is filled with sneering attitude, perfectly capturing the band’s rebellious, irreverent spirit. His voice is rough and unpolished, but it fits the raw, live energy of the album. His sarcastic delivery and occasional banter with the audience add to the album’s sense of fun and chaos. The live recording quality of Pissed and Proud gives the album a chaotic, spontaneous feel. The sound is gritty and unpolished, with the occasional crowd noise and imperfections in the performance adding to the sense of being at a raucous punk show.
Pissed and Proud is a key document of the early 1980s UK punk scene, capturing the energy and attitude of a band that thrived in live performances. The album’s raw sound and irreverent lyrics reflect the anti-authority spirit of punk at the time, making it a significant release within the genre.
While Peter and the Test Tube Babies never reached the commercial heights of some of their punk contemporaries, Pissed and Proud has remained a cult favorite among punk fans. The band’s mix of humor, aggression, and anthemic punk songs has continued to resonate with fans who appreciate their DIY attitude and refusal to take themselves too seriously. The band’s blend of Oi! and punk rock, along with their humorous take on rebellious themes, influenced later punk bands, especially those in the Oi! punk subgenre. Their unapologetic attitude and simple, catchy songs are a hallmark of early UK punk, and Pissed and Proud helped solidify their place in the punk rock canon.
Pissed and Proud by Peter and the Test Tube Babies is a raw, chaotic live album that captures the irreverent humor and rebellious energy of early 1980s UK punk. With its blend of fast, anthemic punk songs, biting social commentary, and juvenile humor, the album remains a cult favorite among fans of Oi! and punk rock. The live recording showcases the band’s unpolished, in-your-face style, making Pissed and Proud an essential listen for anyone interested in the early punk scene and its unapologetic attitude toward authority, societal norms, and the punk movement itself.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Moped Lads
Banned From The Pubs
Elvis Is Dead
Up Yer Bum
Smash ‘N’ Grab Raid
Run Like Hell
Shit Stirrer
Intensive Care
Keep Britain Untidy
Transvestite
Disco
I’m The Leader Of The Gang
