I have to admit that the band Tear Up from Watford completely slipped under my radar before I came across this record. Repeat Offenders is already their third release — their debut Playground Politics came out in 2018, so the band definitely has some history behind them. Tear Up play fast and straightforward Oi! punk, powered by two guitars — always a promising setup. And I have to say, I’ve been missing out on an absolutely brilliant band.

I’d say this is a band that will please fans of Argy Bargy, Gimp Fist, Arch Rivals, or The Business around The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth LP (1997) era. It’s refreshing to hear a British band again that can convincingly combine the rawness of Oi! with punk energy. It reminded me a bit of the days when I was first discovering Oi! punk and British bands were always a safe bet.

Tear Up come across as four guys leaning more toward a casual style rather than the traditional skinhead or punk look. That shows in their lyrics too – you won’t find the usual clichés about beer, boots, or street fights, but instead personal, down-to-earth reflections on everyday life, frustration, and pride in one’s roots. Tear Up are exactly the kind of band that reminds you why Oi! punk has such deep roots in Britain. Their new material sounds raw, honest, and completely free of pretension – just a bunch of blokes playing the way they live.

The album includes eleven tracks with a total runtime of around thirty minutes – just the right dose, no filler, all killer. Tear Up’s sound has attitude, big sing-along choruses, and undeniable street feeling. The track „The Truth“ strongly reminds me of The Business – not only because of the lyrics but also thanks to Jamie’s charismatic vocal delivery, which at times brings to mind Micky Fitz himself.

Another highlight is „Just Because“, where the band perfectly alternates between strong sing-along parts and a catchy guitar solo – the kind of moment that would blow the roof off during a live gig. „War Stories of West Watford“ works great too, with a clear Cock Sparrer influence – probably not a coincidence since Daryl Smith from Cock Sparrer was involved in mixing the album. I’d also point out the energetic „Let’s Just Have It Straight“, which ties the album’s concept together nicely, and the fast-paced „999 Fingers“, probably the most straight-up punk track on the record. But honestly, I enjoy every song here – the album works perfectly as a whole.

Visually, the record follows the same design style as the previous releases, which I appreciate – clean layout, no unnecessary flash, and a booklet with all the lyrics, just like a proper streetpunk record should have. With this album, Tear Up prove that British Oi! punk still has plenty to offer and that strong bands from the UK are far from extinct.

I also had the chance to see Tear Up live this year – and their set was powerful. No posing, no pretentiousness, just four guys giving it their all. On top of that, we did an interview with them, so make sure to check out what inspires them and how they see Oi! punk and the subcultural world today.