We've Got The Power

Red Alert was а punk band formed in Sunderland, England, waaay back in May 1979 debuting that summer at a carnival in Sunderland, performing mostly Clash and UK Subs covers. Their first demo became their debut release; a self-financed four track 7” EP “Third And Final”, of which only 250 copies were pressed and then sold at gigs. With solid feedback the band produced its second demo “In Britain” and recorded two tracks for the Carry On Oi! compilation, only one of which -"SPG" - was included. Gary Bushell suggested that the band should send their material to No Future Records which they did and were duly signed a week later. In the course of two years at No Future, Red Alert released two 7” EPs (In Britain, Take No Prisoners), their debut LP “We've Got The Power”, a single (City Invasion) and a 6 track 12” EP (There's A Guitar Burning) and appeared on numerous compilations, including Punk And Disorderly (Abstract Records, 1981) and Carry On Oi! (Secret Records, 1981). The Oi!/Punk stalwarts' debut album is their only 1980's long player. It's very straight forward punk in the vein of The Business, The Ejected, and Peter and the Test Tube Babies. Nothing is especially innovative, yet it's very catchy, anthemic, consistent, and sing along-able; you really can't go wrong with a Red Alert album.