Punk News

Cock Sparrer Announce New Studio Album ‘Hand On Heart’

By Staff Contributor

Cock Sparrer to drop new Album 'Hand On Heart' in April 2024 on Cherry Red Records.

With a career spanning over five decades, Cock Sparrer has firmly established itself as a pillar of the punk fraternity. The legendary band, hailing from the East End of London, first made their mark in 1972, crafting a sound that would eventually resonate with generations of punk fans. Their journey from childhood friends to punk icons is a story of perseverance and unapologetic authenticity.

Despite early challenges, including an industry that wasn’t quite ready for their unfiltered East End ethos and turning away Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren for not buying a round of drinks, Cock Sparrer has outlasted the vicissitudes of the music scene. After turning down McLaren’s management offer, they chose to forge their own path. Their steadfast approach led to a cult following that only grew stronger as the years passed—Cock Sparrer was creating their career in reverse.

Today, they are more acclaimed than ever and often referred to as the biggest punk band many have never heard of.

Their eighth studio album, ‘Hand On Heart,’ set for release on 5 April 2024, is poised to be a defining moment in their storied career. The band’s first album since 2017’s ‘Forever’ is laden with anthemic hooks, singalong melodies, and the band’s signature mob choruses. Tracks like ‘With My Hand On My Heart,’ ‘Rags To Riches,’ “‘ Belong To You,’ and ‘Here We Stand’ are already being hailed as some of their finest work to date.

The album also promises fresh elements to enthrall fans, such as the unique string arrangements by Simon Dobson on ‘My Forgotten Dream.’

Cock Sparrer comprises the same four individuals who began their punk odyssey 52 years ago: Colin McFaull (vocals), Mick Beaufoy (guitar), Steve Burgess (bass), and Steve Bruce (drums), with guitarist Daryl Smith, a ‘new’ addition of 31 years.

The band has announced two UK launch shows to celebrate the album’s arrival:

  • O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London – Saturday 6th April 2024
  • O2 Academy Glasgow – Saturday 13th April 2024

And the celebrations will extend to headline festival shows throughout 2024, including performances at Rebellion, Mighty Sounds, and Hellfest, sharing stages with the likes of Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age.

In a marked departure from their past, where studio budgets were humorously diverted to pub outings, ‘Hand On Heart’ benefits from the production acumen of James Bragg and the mastering expertise of Grammy award-winning Kevin Tuffy, ensuring a sound quality that matches the band’s celebrated live energy.

The album will be available across multiple formats, including 180gsm black vinyl, limited edition colour vinyl with unique artwork, picture disc vinyl, hardback book CD edition, and a strictly limited-edition cassette. These releases are not just albums but collectible pieces of punk history, representing a band that has always marched to the beat of its own drum.

Cock Sparrer’s influence on punk culture is undeniable, with an impressive roster of punk rock royalty covering their songs, from Rancid and Against Me! to The Aggrolites and Dropkick Murphys. As they gear up for the release of “Hand On Heart,” it’s clear that Cock Sparrer’s heart still beats firmly at the centre of punk rock’s ever-pulsing scene.

SIDE 1

With My Hand On My Heart

Mind Your Own Business

I Belong To You

Rags To Riches

No Way Out

SIDE 2

Take It On The Chin

Nowhere To Be Found

One Way Ticket

My Forgotten Dream

Here We Stand

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