The Blockheads

Formed in London in 1977 around Ian Dury, The Blockheads initially brought together Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, Charley Charles, Mick Gallagher, John Turnbull and Davey Payne, several of whom came from The Loving Awareness Band. As Ian Dury and the Blockheads they developed a highly distinctive sound at the intersection of new wave, pub rock, funk, punk, reggae and a melodic sensibility rooted in the English music-hall tradition. This nervy, rhythmic songwriting came to prominence at the end of the 1970s with New Boots and Panties!! (1977), Do It Yourself (1979) and Laughter (1980), and through songs such as "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll", "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick" and "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3". After an initial split in the early 1980s, The Blockheads reformed intermittently from 1987 and more consistently in the 1990s, recording notably Mr. Love Pants (1998). Following Ian Dury's death in 2000, the band continued with Derek Hussey on vocals and, from 2022, Mike Bennett, while retaining the core of Jankel, Gallagher and Turnbull. Later releases include Where’s the Party? (2004), Staring Down the Barrel (2009) and Same Horse Different Jockey (2013).