Recently, the new record by Tear Up from Watford was released, and it sold out within a few days. No wonder – it’s great. Since it caught my attention as well, we asked the band’s frontman Jamie for an interview. You can catch the band live at upcoming shows in Europe, so get ready for one of the most exciting Oi! punk bands from the UK.
Can you start by telling us how you got into Oi! and punk? What was your path into this subculture?
My dad loved The Sex Pistols and The Clash, which I loved as a child, but I preferred the more violently aggressive bands, so I soon fell into the rabbit hole of Cockney Rejects, Last Resort, and so on. I was also very lucky that some of the best Oi! bands came out of my hometown, so I grew up with bands like Argy Bargy, Angry Agenda and The Booze Boys playing people’s birthdays and in tiny venues.
Do you remember the moment when you first thought: „Yeah, I’m a skinhead/punk, this is my identity“?
Haha, I wouldn’t say I’m a skinhead or a punk – I just love the music. Oi! is attitude, and it’s about coming from nothing, working-class people. A lot of bands these days haven’t lived a single word of what they sing about, whereas everything I sing about is real life – either mine or something close to me. People like authenticity, and I didn’t need to become a punk or a skin for people to see we are the real deal. Obviously, growing up and going to gigs, most of my friends are skinheads and punks, but I’d say I dress more like a casual.
What was your journey into playing in a band – had you played before, or was Tear Up your first serious project? Was it hard to find like-minded people in Watford, or has the scene always been strong there?
I have no musical past projects. I wrote some songs in prison and thought, „Fuck it, I’m going to do it!“ I’ve always loved live music, especially punk. When I came out of prison, I just thought, why not – I’ll give it a go.
Looking back now – what attracted you most at the beginning: the music itself, the lyrics, or the community around it? When you first started playing, did you want to sound like anyone specific, or were you just shouting at the wall?
I loved the lyrics – how out there it was, and how people were just saying what they wanted to say. You could really feel everything they were angry about. They stand on that stage, they have their say, and everyone listens. When I started a band, I didn’t want it to sound the same as everyone else – we’ve always tried to just sound like us.
Which bands were essential for you in the early days? Did you look up to the big names, or were local heroes more important?
The locals were my favourites – Argy Bargy, Angry Agenda, and The Booze Boys. But, as I say, I grew up on The Clash, Pistols, and The Rejects.
Did you look mostly to the British classics, or were you influenced by European and American bands too?
Yes, I love British punk and Oi! music, although European bands are smashing it at the moment and they really know how to play!
Is there an album you’d call a „game changer“ that really set you on your path?
Here Comes Trouble – The Angry Agenda.
Beyond music – were you influenced by films, books, or even football culture?
Just life.
Is there a band you hated when you were younger, but secretly respect today?
Hahahaha, that’s a great question. It would be a lot easier the other way round. If I hate someone, they would have to save my child from a burning building for me to change my mind.
When you compare the Oi! and punk scene in the UK today with ten or fifteen years ago – what has changed the most? Is it stronger or weaker now?
I’d say it was stronger then – you had The Business still playing, Argy Bargy, some of the older bands. Also, many are playing less now, which has a knock-on effect. However, it’s on the up! I don’t just mean Oi!, I mean the punk scene in the UK all round – it’s definitely on the up again. Riskee and the Ridicule, Meffs, Face Up, Split Dogs, Crown Court, Unrivalled – all doing well around the UK.
Is there a new generation of skinheads and punks coming in, or is it still mostly „us old dogs“?
Not so much in the UK – there’s a few, but not as many as there should be. Scotland has a great scene, but Europe is a completely different kettle of fish – people of all ages attending gigs in their masses.
How do you see the differences between the UK, European, and US scenes?
I don’t – we’re all one scene!
From my perspective, it feels like Europe is fading a bit while the US is growing – do you see it the same way?
No, I love the European scene. I’ve never had a bad gig in Europe – always great, friendly people who want to smash the beers with us.
Which bands or records have impressed you the most recently?
Load (UK band) played the main stage at Rebellion this year, and that was great to see – very impressive.
Do you listen to other genres besides punk and Oi! – whatever they may be?
I listen to everything from rap to reggae.
Which new UK bands would you recommend keeping an eye on? Is there a current British band you think is really pushing the scene forward?
Crown Court, Unrivalled, and us, haha. There’s loads, to be honest, all doing their thing. Under the Cosh are a busy band at the moment, Razortooth are doing really well.
What’s your relationship with reggae, rocksteady and ska – genres historically tied to skinhead culture?
Love the music – the dancing needs some work (lawnmower starters might be a UK thing).
Do these styles play a role for you personally, or are they more of a distant influence?
More distant influence.
Do you have favourite reggae or ska bands, whether classic or current?
Death of Guitar Pop – because they were my son’s favourite. Also The Paradimes. I also loved Big Fat Panda, and I like the old school bands – Symarip, Toots, etc.
This year you released Repeat Offender. How would you describe the atmosphere of that record – more anger, more humor, or a bit of both?
More anger – and a lot more time went into the music.
How did the recording process go – was it quick and straightforward, or did you spend a long time fine-tuning details?
Relatively fast, seeing as I sacked the first engineer halfway through recording and had to start from scratch. We worked through the whole process pretty quick – everyone involved in the project was all in, getting it done the way we wanted it to sound, and in a short amount of time.
Is there a track on the album that makes you say: „This is the heart of Tear Up“?
There’s a few, but I love The Truth. It’s a proper kick in the bollocks.
What reactions from fans have pleased or amused you the most so far? Did anything surprise you?
We’ve had a head tattoo! That’s gonna take some beating.
If you could change anything on the album now, would you?
Not a single thing.
How do you think the Oi! subculture looks in 2025 – has it changed a lot compared to when you started?
I think it’s on the up. And of course it’s changed – everyone’s got a lot older, haha.
Do you think Oi! is still mainly a working-class subculture, or has it diluted over time?
It’s working-class music for working-class people – it always will be.
What do you think is most important to keep this culture alive?
Young people starting bands, and also showing young people the music. Without the next generation, it dies.
What personally keeps you in music today – is it the joy of playing, the community, or an outlet for frustrations?
Yes, an outlet of rage. I also get to travel the world with my friends doing it.
Where do you prefer to play – small clubs or big festivals?
I love a club gig – the atmosphere and getting the crowd riled up. But I’m enjoying playing the festivals as well. I think it’s good to step out of your comfort zone.
Do you have an unforgettable gig that comes to mind right away?
Punk on the Peninsula.
Beer Beach Chaos.
Oi! in Hoofddorp.
So many great ones, but a stand-out for me was Edinburgh – when I came out of prison with The Rejects, we tore the place apart and the crowd went mental!
How was it working with Randale Records – does their approach suit you?
Absolutely spot on. Everything we agreed was met, and Diana, Ollie and everyone else at Randale did everything to make the album launch a success. I would definitely work with them again if I was to write another album.
What’s next for you – new recordings, shows, touring?
Just touring the album at the moment. We have Prague, Berlin, Skegness, Dublin, Holland, Germany, Edinburgh – and finishing off our Repeat Offenders tour at the 100 Club in London.
The last word is yours – is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to say?
Make sure you buy our new album Repeat Offenders – now also available on Spotify etc.
Discography:
Fucking AV It EP (Crowd Control Media, 2025)
Playground Politics LP (Rebellion Records, 2018)
They Can Lock The Locks But They Can’t Stop The Clocks LP (Not On Label, 2023)
Repeat Offenders LP (Randale Records, 2025)
