The Cockney Rejects formed in East London in the late 70's, on the spur of punk's demise and the start of the Oi! movement: a more tough, fist-pumping sub-genre inspired by working class bands brought up in the UK's industrial setting. Combining the classic punk rock sound with their love of beer, boxing and football, the Cockney Rejects got a break in 1979 and met cult status with their first single Flares 'N' Slippers. East End Babylon: The Story of The Cockney Rejects follows the band through tales of upbringing, concerts, the music industry, and eventually the fall -- only for them to finally meet critical acclaim years after their break-up.
Cockney Rejects fans should enjoy this DVD, accompanying the 2012 release of the album East of Babylon, as they learn about the band going though their success, their mayhem, and inadvertently starting a neo-Nazi skinhead following in the process. If you aren't British, it may be hard to understand their English as the band's dialect is pretty thick. There are no subtitles in English, but are available in French, Spanish, German and Italian. Extras are more interviews including some by Lee Dury and Darren Murphy of Eraser Head and Wasted Youth.
For both fans and non-fans, East End Babylon: The Story of the Cockney Rejects is a good DVD to have in any rock collection – either for yourself or for a stocking stuffer this holiday season.
