Sham 69’s As Black As Sheep Mr Know It All: Punk Rock That Still Kicks (And Occasionally Spits)
Let’s cut to the chase—this album isn’t just another relic from the UK punk scene of ’88. Nah, it’s more like a rowdy cousin who shows up uninvited but somehow steals the party. Sham 69, those working-class heroes with attitude for days, dropped As Black As Sheep Mr Know It All on Legacy Records, and while it might not have set the charts ablaze, it’s got enough raw energy to power a mosh pit in a phone booth.
First up, “Mr Know It All.” If this track were a person, it’d be that loudmouth at the bar who swears they’re always right—but secretly, you kinda respect them because they’ve got charisma coming outta their ears. The guitar riffs? Chunky as a Sunday roast. The vocals? Full of sneering charm, like your mate after one too many pints. What sticks with me is how catchy yet cutting it feels—it’s not trying to win awards; it’s here to tell you off while making sure you can’t help but nod along. You’ll remember this tune when someone tries to mansplain life to you next week. Trust me.
Then there’s “As Black As Sheep,” which flips the script by leaning into some darker vibes without losing Sham 69’s signature grit. It’s less shouty, more brooding, and honestly? It gives me chills every time I hear it. There’s something about the way the bassline grumbles under the surface, like an old dog growling at shadows, that makes you sit up straighter. Plus, the lyrics are sharp enough to slice through any pretentiousness. This ain’t background music—it grabs you by the collar and demands attention.
Now, let’s talk context real quick. Released in 1988, this record came out during a weird time for punk. The genre was splintering into subgenres faster than you could say “anarchy,” but Sham 69 stayed true to their roots. No frills, no overthinking—just pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll with a side of spit. And yeah, maybe it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but does it need to? Sometimes all you want is a solid kick to the gut, musically speaking.
So why should you care about As Black As Sheep Mr Know It All today? Because it reminds us what punk’s really about: sticking two fingers up to the world while still having a laugh. Sure, it’s rough around the edges, but so are diamonds before they’re polished. Or cheese before it’s aged. Or… well, you get the idea.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album now feels kinda prophetic. Like Sham 69 knew we’d still be dealing with know-it-alls and black sheep decades later. Maybe that’s why these tracks stick—they’re timeless in their rebellion. Or maybe I’m just overthinking it. Either way, crank this baby up, and let it remind you that being a little messy is sometimes exactly what the world needs. Cheers to that, lads.
