The Professionals “The Professionals” 1980/1997. Steve Jones and Paul Cook post-Pistols band’s second album, though they originally recorded it in 1980 as their debut album; it was not officially released until 1997 because a legal dispute with bassist Andy Allan over unpaid royalties (a limited edition bootleg version was released in 1991, which we also have in our collection). Because of the legal squabble, the band replaced Allan with Subway Sect bassist Paul Myers, along with a second guitarist, Ray McVeigh. The new line up re-recorded the material, some of which appeared on a new record released in ‘81, I Didn’t See It Coming.

The Professionals is punky power pop and hard pub rock, nowhere near as subversively snotty as the Pistols but still brash and cocky with some anthemic swagger – “Kick Down the Doors” and “Kamikaze” both good examples. They released two singles from the LP in ’80, “Just Another Dream” and “1-2-3.” I don’t think either charted (and omg the video for “Just Another Dream!”). “All the Way With You” is one of the stronger tracks on the LP and feels more “punk” than most of the record (it reminds me a bit of the 1977 Adverts single “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes”). You’d think that “Mods Skins Punks” would be, but it’s not (and really isn’t a great track). This is in our should it stay or go pile – I think it can go.