No.1
"April 29, 1992" - Sublime
"April 29, 1992" - Sublime
This is one from the point of view of the looters. It's got real police radio transmissions, they list off the shops they've done over, and they're even "screamin' 187 on a mother fuckin' cop". Hard to get that little "Let it burn.." bit out of your head once it's finished. Just a pity Bradley got the date wrong!
No.2
"Rubber Bullets" - 10cc
"Rubber Bullets" - 10cc
There was alot of talk about whether rubber bullets and water cannons would be used in England for the first time. In this song 10cc sing about what really would have happened at the Jailhouse Rock.
No.3
"Ghost Town" - The Specials
"Ghost Town" - The Specials
Written about the St. Paul's Riot in Bristol in 1980 but became a hit in '81 around the time of the Brixton Riots. Not a whole lot has changed in 30 years it would seem. It felt like a ghost town in most of London with all the shops closing early. Wouldn't have fancied driving around Hackney in a Vauxhall Cresta with six other lads this time though.
No.4
"Violence" - Bocs Social
"Violence" - Bocs Social
This Irish band have the mood captured perfectly in their homage to The Clash.
No.5
Almost everything they recorded - The Clash
Almost everything they recorded - The Clash
And speaking of The Clash, these fellas would have made "Fireflies" a song to riot to if they got there before Owl City. Almost any song that they recorded seems made for kicking in a window of JD Sports. "White Riot", "London's Burning", "Police And Thieves", "Guns Of Brixton", "I Fought The Law" and, dare I say it, "Lost In The Supermarket"? Anyone have an urge to burn down a Greggs yet?
Highly Commended:
All these songs could have been on the list but were just too obvious......
"Anarchy In The UK" - The Sex Pistols
"I Predict A Riot" - Kaiser Chiefs
"Shoplifters Of The World Unite" - The Smiths
"There's A Riot Goin' On" - Sly And The Family Stone
"Teenage Riot" - Sonic Youth
"Youth Gone Wild" - Skid Row
“Fuck Tha Police” - NWA
