The Chavs is a disputed name used by two different acts.

Original band

The first The Chavs is a dirty blues rock and roll band formed in 2003. Its members come from Roachford, Claytown Troupe, Vice Squad and the 1990s Colchester band Maniac Squat, among others. The band releases its debut and only album, Angry Sex, in 2004 on the Maniac Squat label. It also issues the single Shock and Awe.

The Chavs contribute two songs, Angry Sex and Nuclear War, to the soundtrack for MTV Blaggers in 2004. In 2005, the band provides the theme tune Dynamite Sting for Hotel MTV.

Supergroup name dispute

In early 2005, a separate act is announced under the same name: a supergroup formed by Carl Barat of The Libertines and Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, along with other musicians. After a dispute over the name, the original Chavs retain the right to use it.

This second Chavs is described as a joke project begun on a drunken bus trip in the United States. Its original line-up includes Primal Scream keyboardist Martin Duffy and Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows. Later versions include rotating members of The Klaxons and The Libertines. Their set mixes Libertines songs, Burgess tracks and festive numbers, including a cover of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York. The group has only a small number of rehearsal sessions and performances.