About English Rose

Coalville (Leicestershire) based Oi! band, formed in 1987. Originally called White Aggression but months before their first concert they changed their name to English Rose when it was realised a Swedish skinhead band (Vit Aggression) was using the same name. The original line-up was Jonesy vocals, Mick on guitar, Dean Porter on guitar, Spen on bass and Blakey on drums. Jonesy and Spen had both been in Oi! band British Born. Porter didn't last long in the band. This line-up recorded an eight-track demo, which was sold on the scene and sent to a few labels. The label that showed most interest was Rebelles Europeens and after a few letters and phone calls a deal was struck to record. The first release was a single called 'Proud Nationalist Warriors', which was released in 1989. The next recording session was also for Rebelles Europeens in which four songs were recorded. 'Warriors Of The Rose' and 'Stop The Invasion' were released in 1992 on the 'Last Chance' compilation album. The other two tracks 'We're Back' and 'Justice-There's No Justice' were meant for volume 2 but it was never released. By this time Mick had left the band and a new guitarist was found by the name of Guiness, he played a handful of gigs and started recording the new album 'Never Be Silenced' before leaving the band following an incident with a gang of immigrants and a spell in prison. The album was completed with the help of former guitarist Mick and released by Rebelles Europeens in 1992. The band was out of action for a while until along came a local ex-punk called Steve. Some practice sessions were arranged and the result was a new CD called 'The Flame Still Burns' released by German label Skull Records. Steve quit, he was replaced by Martin Cross. They went into the studio to record four new songs, the first two 'You Know Our Name' and 'Voice Of The Right'. The other two tracks 'Choose Your Side' and 'White And Proud' were released on a single by French label Boha Records. This is when Martin Cross quit the band and was replaced in 1995 by Dirk, ex-Close Shave. They went into the studio again to record six new songs for various labels. The first two songs were 'Feel Our Power - Feel Our Force' and 'Our Nation' and were released on the Polish label Thor Records. The next two songs, 'One Mission' and 'By Any Means', were released by Nordland Records. The last two songs were recorded but have never been released these tracks were 'Cheers, Thanks And All The Best' and a cover of Skrewdriver's 'Blood And Honour'. Back in the early '90s they travelled with Squadron to Germany for a gig but were stopped by police on the motorway about an hour after landing. They thought it was just a routine check but they were made to leave the van and strip on the side of the road. They were held for a number of hours so the gig couldn't go ahead and then they were released. In late 1995 the band went independant and come 1996 saw the band go through a line-up change, this time bass player Spen decided to leave the band to give one hundred percent to his wife and children. There was more studio time lined up, but this time they called on the help of Brad of Squadron to stand in on bass so they could record three tracks for 'Justice', a compilation CD to raise money for prisoners. It was released by French label BoHa Records. The three songs they contributed were 'We'll Overcome', originally recorded by French skinhead band Legion 88, 'Blood, Honour, Pride And Faith' and 'Segregation'. The band once again had a full line-up when Stinko from Celtic Warrior, joined the band on a part-time basis, which turned out in the end to be full-time and it wasn't too long before the band was back up and playing live in Britain and Europe. The band decided it was time to record a full length CD, the result being 'Dreams Of Freedom'. They felt let down by the studio and the engineer. They wanted to go back and remix the songs but the studio had already recorded over the master tapes. The same line-up travelled out to Germany together in January 1997 to a private birthday party and played a live set that was probably one of the best they had ever played. This set was recorded and one year later and after a bit of editing to remove some of the "politically incorrect" songs and speeches the 'Live In Deutschland '97' was released by Movement Records. Stinko later died of cancer. One gig they didn't get to finish was in Germany as a memorial to Stinko. The police raided the hall half way through their set in riot gear and a riot ensued. The band officially joined Blood and Honour in 1996 and set up their own self-named label in the same year. Graham (from Avalon) became the second guitarist. But due to the departure of Chris Telford the bassist, Graham became the bassist. Their final line-up was Jonesy on vocals, Tom former guitarist with Whitelaw on guitar, Graham on bass and Blakey on drums. Sisco was a one-time member of the band. As of 2003 they officially became a recording project. In May 2005 Jonesy reformed English Rose with a Hungarian backing band and played a gig in Flanders. Other bands featuring members of English Rose include White Aggression, Tattooed Mother Fuckers, Disturbed Mother Fuckers, Bulldog Breed (with members from Squadron), Spearhead (with Avalon).