Verbal Warning

Verbal Warning is a punk band with two distinct periods: an early 1980s Nottingham incarnation and a revived line-up that reforms in 2005. The original band begins life under the name Dead Presleys, first playing at Nottingham’s Ad Lib Club on 7 December 1980 before changing its name to Verbal Warning after the local Teddy Boy scene does not appreciate the group’s humour. The early line-up builds a reputation in the Nottingham area and shares bills with bands including Chumbawumba, Conflict, Napalm Death and The Subhumans.

Early 1980s history

The classic early line-up features Paul on guitar, Adolf on drums, Colin on bass and Dave on vocals. A gig at Beeston Community Centre on 11 July 1981 includes John, then the vocalist for Potential Difference, who later becomes the frontman of the revived band. Another notable show takes place at Trent Polytechnic on 14 May 1981, when the performance ends abruptly after hostility from part of the audience. On 22 January 1983, Verbal Warning plays Nottingham’s Union Club with Conflict and Omega Tribe, but the set is cut short after further tension with the crowd. After a small number of gigs and additional personnel changes, the band goes on a prolonged break.

Reformation and later activity

In 2005, Paul revives Verbal Warning, moving to bass and bringing in Ian on drums, Lee on guitar and John on vocals. The new line-up keeps some older songs, adds new material and moves in a more melodic direction while retaining the energy of punk rock. It plays its first gig on the revived run supporting Smother and the Peer Pressure Puppets at Mansfield’s Town Mill on 27 May 2005, followed by shows in Nottingham and Bishop’s Stortford. The band then appears on its first outdoor festival stage at Tallington Ashes in July 2005, with support from Blyth Power.

Recordings, style and live work

The band mixes politics and humour and often plays long sets that combine new songs, older material and crowd-pleasing covers. Its debut album, A Kick in the Verbals, is released in 2006. A second album, Red Star Radio, follows in 2010 and receives positive attention from Big Cheese magazine. Verbal Warning continues to play regular live dates and supports punk acts including the UK Subs, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Penetration and the Lurkers.

Festivals and associations

Verbal Warning appears at a number of punk and related festivals, including Rebellion in Blackpool, Strummercamp, Glastonwick and Concrete Jungle. It also plays some CAMRA beer festival events, reflecting an interest in that scene as well.