Charlie Casey (Bass) Steve Tannett (Guitar) Noel Martin (Drums) Morgan Webster (Singer)        1976 - 1979     Menace were London’s first generation no-nonsense boot boys, pre-dating Sham 69, who overtook them in terms of mass popularity, and the Cockney Rejects. They formed in 1976 at the Hope And Anchor in Islington when Webster met the other three members and were soon playing the Roxy. Their high-energy, unpretentious sets won them few admirers in the inkies, but they swiftly built a strong following that brought together both punks and skinheads. They’re often cited as the first to unite this potentially volatile mix. However, there was nothing premeditated about the audience they attracted. “Sham were more overt in their leanings towards skinheads,” Martin told me. “We had that crossover thing. We liked that idea.” Menace were initially signed to Miles Copeland’s Illegal Records and made their debut in August 1977 with ‘Screwed Up’ backed by ‘Insane Society’. Charlie Harper of the UK Subs bought the very first copy when he bumped into Martin picking up the first box of singles from Copeland’s office. It was good, honest, working class sloganeering (“If we’re the working class/Why ain’t we got jobs?”) and more musically adept than you might imagine. Sniffing Glue trumpeted that they “are the best punk band in England today!” after witnessing some highly charged early shows at venues such as the Vortex and Hope And Anchor.   Discography: Screwed Up/Insane Society 7-inch (Illegal IL 004 August 1977) (also on 12-inch with same cat. Number) GLC/I'm Civilised 7-inch (Small Wonder SMALL 5 1978) I Need Nothing/Electrocutioner 7-inch (Illegal IL 008 March 1979) (recorded by John Cale in June 1977 but not released until March 1979) Final Vinyl 7-inch (Small Wonder SMALL 16 1979) Last Year’s Youth/Carry No Banners The Young Ones/Tomorrow’s World/Live For Today 7-inch (Fresh FRESH 14 1979)                 more to come ...